iM 4,1-14,4 Windows on iMac with iCloud (not locked, just can't remember password)

[exploradorgt]

Hi.

Nope, not the usual "iCloud locked iMac from obscure owner and probably stolen, what can I do with it?", nope.

I love my 27" iMac, and I'm often tempted to buy other low priced iMacs to keep around for parts (remember the GPU problems? yes). The thing is, there is one iMac on my radar, crazy cheap, owner with money (I mean, someone who can easily buy one brand new), and he forgot the password to his iCloud account, and for that reason he's selling it for parts. The computer boots, full OS installed (MacOS), working perfectly and with files on it.

I'm tempted. Owner is not interested on recovering the account.

I won't use MacOS, just Windows for a wide diversity of reasons.

I'm interested on finding out what are the challenges on just installing Windows, and what would happen if running Windows someone (or something, locks the account), would that made it unusable if it only has Windows?


For reference: (diff case, diff story) a friend of mine gave me his iPad with iCloud lock (he's the original owner and didn't remember his password), the guy didn't remember any answer to his special questions. Long story short, he finally found the original receipt, and then I made 3 long distance calls to directly talk with Apple, who effectively removed the lock, I have the iPad around here fully working, and now with my iCloud account. I'll be honest, I don't usually remember my own password, I do after I use it, and then forget after a while.

People forgetting their passwords? yes, it happens. Unable, or not interested on unlocking the devices, or recovering the password? yes, it happens. Not even interested on calling Apple directly? yes, it happens. Not every question is about stolen devices..

I don't know what the problems are regarding Windows on iMacs with iCloud accounts (not locked, just can't remember the passwords), or iCloud locked account iMacs. I have tried searching the web, but the keywords "with/without - icloud - locked/forgotten - Windows" etc, are tricky, my searches usually lead me to the wrong information.

I will appreciate your comments. The iMac is in good condition, I would probably try to use it (instead of keeping it on a box), but I wouldn't like to have it disabled later.

 

[exploradorgt]

Would anyone help me verify or confirm this?

How To Remove Apple ID From MacBook Without Password

Wondering how to remove Apple ID from MacBook without password? Read this guide to find proven methods that work!

mspoweruser.com

There are 3 options. I'm not interested on option #1 or #2, sometimes people try to sell something due to a small detail, but if you explain how to fix it (because you need their interaction), they change their mind and then increase the price.

Option #3 sounds interesting.

As I described, that iMac has an iCloud account associated, it's not locked. The owner just can't remember the password.

 

[eyoungren]

I guess I'm just curious if the seller has other Apple devices or not. You won't know their password of course and so by various means their iCloud would be wiped out and you'd start over.

But if they have other Apple devices, how is it they don't remember their password? If I forgot my Apple ID password it's not just one Mac that would be affected - it's several iPhones, an iPad and a few Macs.

I guess it doesn't really matter if the seller doesn't really use iCloud or have any devices that use it, but it's curious to me nonetheless. Most people with an iCloud account tend to have more than one Apple device (or Mac) and forgetting your password means you can't access any of them. Usually then, people are pretty desperate to remember their password or reset it, not casually blowing it off.

🤷‍♂️

 

[exploradorgt]

I guess I'm just curious if the seller has other Apple devices or not. You won't know their password of course and so by various means their iCloud would be wiped out and you'd start over.

But if they have other Apple devices, how is it they don't remember their password? If I forgot my Apple ID password it's not just one Mac that would be affected - it's several iPhones, an iPad and a few Macs.

I don't have the universal answer, I ask myself the same question you posted. I can only elaborate based on personal experience.

I currently have 1 iMac; 1 MacbookPro; 2 iPads; and 2 iPhones. I only have the iCloud account on the iPads and iPhones, and I normally don't remember the password, only come to remember it after I need it, which is rare. At home (me and my wife) don't really use the iCloud services.

As for my friend go gave me his iPad as a gift, he had no idea the effects of the iCloud account or lock, he thought "hey, remove it and use it, it's for you", lucky me, this was possible. Other Apple devices? ah... it's a complex story, he buys a new device almost every year (commonly the newer models), he doesn't really know how to use them, and so, he may configure iCloud or not, and then he sells the device or gives it away as a gift to diff people (us included), he moved from iPhone to Samsung, then back to iPhone, and currently using a Samsung, he has zero Apple devices right now, but he is thinking on buying a new iPhone at the end of the year (without having any other Apple device). Funny thing is, despite explaining or having the previous shared experience... if you ask him about his iCloud account he will say "What's that?", dude's younger than me, he just doesn't know about technology.

We could have solved the iCloud lock easily if our friend had another Apple devices back then, he didn't.


Yes, the same question rings in my head, but I guess (this is just me), the answer rests on the gap between average users and avid members of this forum who know way more than them, the gap of knowledge can be quite big IMHO.

I have bought computers with VERY sensitive information on them, even without any passwords, even... stuff nobody should see. I usually make a copy to post it online (just kidding), nah, seriously, I often make a copy just in case the previous owner eventually needs something important, I don't expose their info, just keep it for a while and then delete it. So I guess this is the other side of the coin in terms of security.

I guess it doesn't really matter if the seller doesn't really use iCloud or have any devices that use it, but it's curious to me nonetheless.

In my case, my curiosity goes more around "how can they not know?", in terms of knowing how ugly things could get if they forget their password, not entirely based on the usefulness of the services. I don't have the answer.

* Recently reset and sold my Xiaomi smartphone, that was a bit difficult because I didn't remember all the accounts and passwords, and some required me to login before removing them. Mea culpa.

** Owning several Apple devices myself, I honestly... hate how trying to do certain things, it sends verification codes to my other Apple devices. Yes, I'm one of those who hates this.

 

[eyoungren]

I don't have the universal answer, I ask myself the same question you posted. I can only elaborate based on personal experience.

I currently have 1 iMac; 1 MacbookPro; 2 iPads; and 2 iPhones. I only have the iCloud account on the iPads and iPhones, and I normally don't remember the password, only come to remember it after I need it, which is rare. At home (me and my wife) don't really use the iCloud services.

As for my friend go gave me his iPad as a gift, he had no idea the effects of the iCloud account or lock, he thought "hey, remove it and use it, it's for you", lucky me, this was possible. Other Apple devices? ah... it's a complex story, he buys a new device almost every year (commonly the newer models), he doesn't really know how to use them, and so, he may configure iCloud or not, and then he sells the device or gives it away as a gift to diff people (us included), he moved from iPhone to Samsung, then back to iPhone, and currently using a Samsung, he has zero Apple devices right now, but he is thinking on buying a new iPhone at the end of the year (without having any other Apple device). Funny thing is, despite explaining or having the previous shared experience... if you ask him about his iCloud account he will say "What's that?", dude's younger than me, he just doesn't know about technology.

We could have solved the iCloud lock easily if our friend had another Apple devices back then, he didn't.


Yes, the same question rings in my head, but I guess (this is just me), the answer rests on the gap between average users and avid members of this forum who know way more than them, the gap of knowledge can be quite big IMHO.

I have bought computers with VERY sensitive information on them, even without any passwords, even... stuff nobody should see. I usually make a copy to post it online (just kidding), nah, seriously, I often make a copy just in case the previous owner eventually needs something important, I don't expose their info, just keep it for a while and then delete it. So I guess this is the other side of the coin in terms of security.


In my case, my curiosity goes more around "how can they not know?", in terms of knowing how ugly things could get if they forget their password, not entirely based on the usefulness of the services. I don't have the answer.

* Recently reset and sold my Xiaomi smartphone, that was a bit difficult because I didn't remember all the accounts and passwords, and some required me to login before removing them. Mea culpa.

** Owning several Apple devices myself, I honestly... hate how trying to do certain things, it sends verification codes to my other Apple devices. Yes, I'm one of those who hates this.

I suppose, you could set your Apple ID to never ask for your password. That's an option I believe, which would then account for forgetting it I suppose. Honestly, I don't see a problem here for you. I was just curious about the seller is all. But some people just truly don't care, either because they don't want to be bothered or don't understand.

In any case, as I said, I don't see a downside here for you. Perhaps someone else might, IDK.

 

[CalMin]

Is this the only purchase option? Sounds like a major hassle - I'd just walk away.

 

[exploradorgt]

I suppose, you could set your Apple ID to never ask for your password. That's an option I believe, which would then account for forgetting it I suppose. Honestly, I don't see a problem here for you. I was just curious about the seller is all. But some people just truly don't care, either because they don't want to be bothered or don't understand.

In any case, as I said, I don't see a downside here for you. Perhaps someone else might, IDK.

Thanks.

Is this the only purchase option? Sounds like a major hassle - I'd just walk away.

True. There is another almost equal option, but the price isn't that great.

There is also another great opportunity, great prices, and no iCloud accounts on the computers, but... those are 21" screens, I'm not interested after having a 27" screen.

 

[eyoungren]

Is this the only purchase option? Sounds like a major hassle - I'd just walk away.

Boot into OF, issue a few terminal commands, power off, power back on and set up a new account on the Mac. Major hassle?

I'd hate to see your idea of something that you consider to be very hard.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

...are you sure this computer isn't stolen? I agree it's probably fine to use on Windows, but this just seems very suspicious. You probably don't want to buy stolen goods.

I know you said it's not stolen in the first post, but something isn't adding up here for me. Like, why isn't the owner "interested" in contacting Apple to recover the account? Even if he doesn't care about the account, presumably he cares about having money, and he could sell the Mac for more money if it wasn't locked to an iCloud account he can't log into...

 

[eyoungren]

...are you sure this computer isn't stolen? I agree it's probably fine to use on Windows, but this just seems very suspicious. You probably don't want to buy stolen goods.

I know you said it's not stolen in the first post, but it just seems fishy.

That's kind of the thought I had too based on the seller not caring about their Apple ID password. But legit people can be strange too.

 

[exploradorgt]

...are you sure this computer isn't stolen? I agree it's probably fine to use on Windows, but this just seems very suspicious. You probably don't want to buy stolen goods.

I know you said it's not stolen in the first post, but it just seems fishy.

Everything sounds fine, but I can't be sure 100%. I'm feeling more confident on walking away from the deal.


From a blank page, it sure looks weird. But from experience, I don't know. I mean, I have a thing regarding buying 2nd hand computers, repairing, using them and selling them after that, either right away or after a while. Along this path I have come to meet VERY strange people who were the legit owners of their computers.

I'm my case, there is a "past me" and "me, due to how these experiences changed me on how people behave, its amazing.

 

[BigBlur]

It's not that difficult to reset the password as long as they have a trusted device or phone number (or can answer the security questions if they aren't using 2FA), so seems a bit suspicious to me. Have they even tried, or do they just assume it's a complicated process so didn't bother trying at all?

Maybe offer the seller additional money (since it was "crazy cheap") if they'd be willing to look into resetting the password in order to remove their account.

 

[exploradorgt]

It's not that difficult to reset the password as long as they have a trusted device or phone number (or can answer the security questions if they aren't using 2FA), so seems a bit suspicious to me. Have they even tried, or do they just assume it's a complicated process so didn't bother trying at all?

I guess the latter.

Maybe offer the seller additional money (since it was "crazy cheap") if they'd be willing to look into resetting the password in order to remove their account.

I like to help people, but in terms of buying stuff... I avoid this, because usually people tend to walk away from selling and then pushing into "I also have this... and that...", meaning, from buying, it becomes free tech support, or "oh cool! I didn't know this, now I'll give it to my niece!".

I also may be too sensitive because I don't like seeing the face expression of someone changing into hiding information because suddenly they have second thoughts, and they can't even tell you "guess what? I don't want to sell it anymore", instead they lie to you "ya know... I have this aunt... perhaps if I wait for..."

I guess I'll walk away from the deal.

 

[MakaniKai]

and I normally don't remember the password, only come to remember it after I need it, which is rare.

It shocks me that people are still relying on remembering passwords, especially to accounts as important as this. Get a third party password manager (don’t store your Apple password only in iCloud, for obvious reasons!!) and STOP remembering passwords. The only time it makes sense to remember passwords are PIN codes (use biometrics instead if an option), work-provisioned machines where you are forced to type in a password (which should be a long memorable phrase for most entropy rather than something short with symbols and numbers), and the master password to your password manager (same about long phrase). And even the PINs and work machine passwords should go in your password manager vault.

 

[Larsvonhier]

Boot into OF, issue a few terminal commands, power off, power back on and set up a new account on the Mac. Major hassle?

I'd hate to see your idea of something that you consider to be very hard.

OF? Like in PowerPCs of the 90s and 2000s with Open Firmware?
Sure you meant recovery partition...

 

[Ctrlos]

How old? If you can remove the internal storage you could swap the SSD over to a blank one and install a fresh OS from USB

 

[TheShortTimer]

Even if he doesn't care about the account, presumably he cares about having money, and he could sell the Mac for more money if it wasn't locked to an iCloud account he can't log into...

Whenever I used to buy used iPhones from eBay. I always avoided the handsets that were iCloud locked - or situations where the trader was unwilling/unable to assist with unlocking them. It's a huge red flag if someone has no interest in doing that.

But legit people can be strange too.

Yes, they can.

 

[eyoungren]

OF? Like in PowerPCs of the 90s and 2000s with Open Firmware?
Sure you meant recovery partition...

Well, whatever the third instruction OP linked to says. If that's the Recovery Partition then yeah. I haven't used it much yet, except to install OCLP or patchers to Early Intel Macs.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

What model is it?

 

[exploradorgt]

Thanks everyone.

Suddenly and out of the blue, the seller changed the narrative, in the past sounded like having possibilities of being legit, now? not anymore. Sounds fishy as hell.

I'm avoiding this deal. Thanks everyone for the contributions.

What model is it?

It's a 2012 27" iMac with Corei5

 

[TheShortTimer]

Thanks everyone.

Suddenly and out of the blue, the seller changed the narrative, in the past sounded like having possibilities of being legit, now? not anymore. Sounds fishy as hell.

I'm avoiding this deal. Thanks everyone for the contributions.

You've done the right thing. Some deals are just too good to be true - and you end up paying dearly in the long run. Imagine if the computer is stolen and have to return it to the rightful owner and lose your money...