Deleting a user on a Mac does not automatically delete the files associated with that user. Instead, it archives all the user’s documents and information, allowing the user to be restored later if needed. This is a useful feature as it ensures that no important data is lost during the deletion process.
When you delete a user account on a Mac, the user’s documents, desktop files, downloads, and other personal data are transferred to a folder called “Deleted Users” or “Deleted Users Data” in the Users folder. This folder acts as a backup, preserving all the user’s files and information.
By archiving the user’s data instead of immediately deleting it, macOS provides a safety net in case the deletion was accidental or if the user needs their data restored at a later time. This can be particularly helpful in situations where multiple users share the same Mac, and individual accounts need to be temporarily or permanently removed.
To be more explicit, let’s walk through the process of deleting a user account and what happens to the files:
1. Open “System Preferences” on your Mac.
2. Click on “Users & Groups.”
3. Authenticate yourself as an administrator by clicking on the lock icon and entering your password.
4. Select the user account you want to delete from the left-hand sidebar.
5. Click on the “-” (minus) button below the list of users.
6. A pop-up window will appear, asking if you want to save the home folder in a disk image or a “Deleted Users” folder. Choose the option that suits your needs. Saving the home folder as a disk image allows for easier restoration, while choosing the “Deleted Users” folder puts all the user’s files in a designated folder.
7. Click “Delete User” to confirm the deletion.
After deleting the user account, you can navigate to the Users folder on your Mac’s hard drive and locate the “Deleted Users” or “Deleted Users Data” folder. Inside this folder, you will find the archived files and documents from the deleted user account. These files are not accessible unless you restore the user account or manually retrieve the data.
It’s important to note that the deleted user’s account information, such as login credentials and settings, is permanently removed from the system. However, the actual files and data associated with the user are retained in the “Deleted Users” folder until you decide to permanently delete them.
To summarize the key points:
– Deleting a user account on a Mac does not automatically delete the associated files.
– The user’s documents and information are archived in a folder called “Deleted Users” or “Deleted Users Data.”
– This archival process ensures that the user’s files can be restored later if needed.
– The deleted user’s account information, such as login credentials and settings, is permanently removed from the system.
– The archived files can be found in the “Deleted Users” or “Deleted Users Data” folder in the Users directory.
I hope this explanation clarifies the process of deleting a user account on a Mac and what happens to the associated files.