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I changed the computer name of my iMac in System Preferences and then logged out, when I logged back in all my files were gone. They're still on the computer, but I can't open any of them. I opened iTunes and all my music was gone, opened iPhoto and all my photos were gone, the files are still on the computer but I can't open them. So I tried changing back the name to what it originally was and still the same outcome. Someone please help so I can get all my files back!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by macmad

Dani AI

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Renaming the Computer Name alone normally does not delete files. The most common explanations—consistent with ’s suggestion—are that a different account (or a different short‑name/home folder) is now being used, or the user folder was renamed without updating the account’s home-path. iTunes and iPhoto libraries live inside the active home folder, so they appear “gone” when macOS logs into an empty/new home even though the old files remain on disk. was right to ask the OS version; exact menu names vary slightly between Lion/Mountain Lion and later releases. ’s Apple Store suggestion is reasonable when unsure, but local checks often recover everything quickly.

Quick verification (no changes yet):

  • Inspect the physical folders: Finder → Macintosh HD → Users and look for multiple names (e.g., OldName and NewName).
  • Confirm the current login short name and the home-folder mapping.

Run these commands in Terminal (replace shortname where appropriate):

whoami
ls -la /Users
dscl . -read /Users/shortname NFSHomeDirectory

If the whoami short name differs from the folder that contains the missing files, the account is pointed at the wrong home folder. Typical safe fixes:

  1. From an alternate administrator account, open System Preferences → Users & Groups, unlock the padlock, control‑click (or right‑click) the affected user and choose “Advanced Options…”. Set the “Home directory” field to the existing folder under /Users (for example /Users/OldShortName) and save.
  2. After logging in to the corrected account, ensure ownership is correct (run as admin):
sudo chown -R shortname:staff /Users/shortname

A full backup before making changes (Time Machine or a clone) is strongly recommended. Avoid trying to rename a short name while logged into that same account—use a different admin. Changing short names is riskier than remapping the home path; if no other admin account exists or Terminal fixes are uncomfortable, Apple Support or an Apple Store can perform the recovery safely.

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Member Avatar for <M/>

Well, go to a local apple store and talk to them or get apple care :)

Member Avatar for tompatrick

They might be under the users folder and the name you previously had called it?

Member Avatar for macmad

What OSX system are you running, Lion, Mountain Lion? Where in System Preferences did you make the change? It sounds like you created another account than changed the name of the computer. Worst yet, it sounds like you changed the name of the user folder. Don't worry, it is easy enought to fix with the right information from you. Please reply.

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