"Modifying requires an administrator name and password"

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Level 1

9 points

"Modifying requires an administrator name and password"

I have a Mac Mini, running High Sierra 10.13.6. Virtually anything I want to drag from the desktop to the hard drive (mine is called "Raccoon"), I have to authenticate and put in the password. This drives me nuts and takes time. I'm the only person in the world who uses this computer. How do I turn this annoying thing off? I got rid of the password to log in to the computer upon startup, but it did not solve this password requirement problem.

Thanks for any help.

Posted on Mar 17, 2022 4:32 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

bumbleben0

Level 5

5,755 points

Mar 17, 2022 8:45 PM in response to HalfATechie

It's generally poor security practice to directly add or remove files from Macintosh HD, or in your case, RACCOON. However, on macOS Mojave and earlier, you can add yourself to permissions by right-clicking on your hard disk and choosing "Get Info."

From the Get Info box, click the lock in the bottom right to authenticate, then click the + in the bottom left. From there, you can add users (yourself) to Read & Write your hard disk. After adding yourself to the list, you shouldn't need to authenticate further.

Set permissions for files, folders, or disks on Mac - Apple Support

Modifying 'Macintosh HD' requires an admi… - Apple Community

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,630 points

Mar 19, 2022 11:10 AM in response to HalfATechie

The macOS system files reside on the root volume so making this volume read-only is a security feature to prevent a rogue app (or any app for that matter) from modifying & compromising the macOS system files either intentionally or accidentally. It also prevents users from damaging the macOS system files/area. This makes macOS much more secure and stable. A system area is only meant for system use (always has been, but never enforced). A home folder is the area meant for users to do what they want.

You do have a choice. When you buy an Apple product, you are accepting Apple's design choices and rules. You don't have to buy an Apple product.

You can also provide Apple with product feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

HalfATechie Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 10:46 AM in response to bumbleben0

Thanks for the info but nothing works for me. I've looked at other posts as well. No matter what I choose to do, I get the popup that says I don't have permission. I'm the only owner of this computer and the only one who uses it or will ever use it so I don't understand where this is coming from. All I want to do is move items from my desktop into the hard drive without going through the password waste-of-time. I'm not concerned about security.

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Answer 4

HWTech

Level 9

68,630 points

Mar 18, 2022 12:39 PM in response to HalfATechie

You cannot modify any items located on the macOS root system volume since macOS 10.15 as it is now a read-only system volume. Later version of macOS v11 & v12 have locked it down even more.

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina - Apple Support

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Answer 5

HalfATechie Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 18, 2022 1:01 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer (both answers, two of you).

It makes no sense to me to not be able to move things around on my own desktop into my own hard drive. That should be the choice of the user/owner of the computer.

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Answer 6

HalfATechie Author

Level 1

9 points

Mar 19, 2022 6:35 PM in response to HalfATechie

Thank you, I understand that. My older laptop did not require the password just to drag something from the desktop into the hard drive, so when a newer computer required it, it's been very annoying and time consuming. I stand by my claim that it should be the choice of the computer owner to decide if they need that kind of security or not.

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"Modifying requires an administrator name and password"

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