How do I disable the credentials prompt on Lion/ML for common tasks?

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How do I disable the credentials prompt on Lion/ML for common tasks?

I am a long time PC user and have always used Microsoft operating systems, mainly since that was where I started 20 years ago. Although I know I'll never get away from MS products I have, for various reasons, decided to move to a Mac for my day-to-day usage as I really like OS X. One of the reasons I chose this move was because of the many annoyances that Microsoft has decided to implement in their later operating systems, such as not installing the telnet client by default, enabling UAC by default and so on. It seems the good folks at Microsoft have decided that they know better what is good for thier users and although these things can be changed it is still a pain in the backside.

I recently purchased a Macbook Pro with Mountain Lion and it seems Apple has decided to follow suit in that everytime I want to delete or move a file or even make changes to the system I get prompted for my credential and I cannot find a way to disable this. I don't need (or want) to have to "verify" my decision so I'm hoping someone can tell me how to fix this. I realize that it is a safety feature but there should be a way for user who are OS-savvy to turn this off.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 10:52 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 11, 2012 11:28 AM in response to Carnch

This isn't a "feature" that Apple has recently implemented, but simply a result of the UNIX permissions-based underpinnings of OS X. The actions that you're attempting to perform all seem to involve manipulation of folders, files or settings that are owned by the Admin user or Root - hence the prompt for a username and password. This is not something that you can turn off à la UAC, but a fundamental aspect of OS X.

It may be that your way of approaching OS X after years of Windows PC use is causing you to undertake certain actions in inappropriate contexts. For example, have you created an Admin user? OS X is far more multi-user focused than any of the Windows flavours have been heretofore (I haven't yet tried 8, but am experienced with XP and 7). If you find yourself doing a lot of things that require Admin authentication, you should simply log in as an Admin user. Fast User Switching makes this a piece of cake.

Of course, it could be that you're experiencing permissions issues. In which case, you could try reading this article.

HTH.

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Answer 2

Carnch Author

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Oct 11, 2012 11:37 AM in response to Scotch_Brawth

I understand that aspect of it. The user I use to log in as is an administrator (shows Admin under the user in Users & Grups) and when prompted for credentials I can use my user password to authenticate which is the same one I use on the initial login.

I know in 10.5/10.6 this wasn't the case. You could perfrom folder/file related functions without having to authenticate each time.

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Answer 3

Oct 11, 2012 11:45 AM in response to Carnch

Well, it sounds as though you may have permissions corruption. I'd run Repair Permissions in Disk Utility.

Are you able to reveal which files and folders you're attempting to work with when the authentication dialogues appear?

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