Resetting your keychain after admin password change or upgrade
30/01/18 Filed in: keychain access
You helped me install an updated OS on my Mac Book last week. I just tried to get into your Monday evening townhall for help and was unsuccessful.
At any rate, I am now unable to use my computer as I continually get keychain password requests.
Per online instructions I changed my password and this did not correct the problem. I’d appreciate any advice you might be able to give me.
___________
The keychain is the application on your Mac that holds all/most of your passwords relating to email accounts, wifi, and various other services. If a person changes their admin password, sometimes the keychain must be reset. This usually means that afterwards, you would be required to re enter your passwords for all the items mentioned previously. The computer will ask for those upon launching each service then you type in the password related to that program. For instance, open email. Email says "enter password for xyz@gmail.com". And so on.
To reset the keychain, the most effective way to do this is as follows:
First, before you ever do anything, always make sure you are backing up.
1. In the finder, go to the menu bar and select "Go". While holding down the "Option" key, you'll see "Library" appear in the list.
2. Select Library. Once that folder opens, go the the folder called "Keychains".
3. Select the contents of that folder and throw them into the trash. You may be asked for your admin password.
4. Restart your computer. You'll now be asked for various passwords however now, when you enter them, your keychain will keep up with them.
NOTE: The whole reason this happens is for security. When your computer detects that the admin password has been changed, for security reasons, it assumes the worst and locks your old passwords from being viewed or used. Imagine if you had your computer stolen and the bad guy manages to change your password. You wouldn't want him to be able to view all the other passwords to your account.
Inconvienent I know. But as I say, security equals inconvenience. Hope this has helped.
At any rate, I am now unable to use my computer as I continually get keychain password requests.
Per online instructions I changed my password and this did not correct the problem. I’d appreciate any advice you might be able to give me.
___________
The keychain is the application on your Mac that holds all/most of your passwords relating to email accounts, wifi, and various other services. If a person changes their admin password, sometimes the keychain must be reset. This usually means that afterwards, you would be required to re enter your passwords for all the items mentioned previously. The computer will ask for those upon launching each service then you type in the password related to that program. For instance, open email. Email says "enter password for xyz@gmail.com". And so on.
To reset the keychain, the most effective way to do this is as follows:
First, before you ever do anything, always make sure you are backing up.
1. In the finder, go to the menu bar and select "Go". While holding down the "Option" key, you'll see "Library" appear in the list.
2. Select Library. Once that folder opens, go the the folder called "Keychains".
3. Select the contents of that folder and throw them into the trash. You may be asked for your admin password.
4. Restart your computer. You'll now be asked for various passwords however now, when you enter them, your keychain will keep up with them.
NOTE: The whole reason this happens is for security. When your computer detects that the admin password has been changed, for security reasons, it assumes the worst and locks your old passwords from being viewed or used. Imagine if you had your computer stolen and the bad guy manages to change your password. You wouldn't want him to be able to view all the other passwords to your account.
Inconvienent I know. But as I say, security equals inconvenience. Hope this has helped.
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