Q: Cannot Delete Key from System Keychain
I am having a bit of a problem deleting keys (any keys) from the System keychain on my iMac. Here's what happens:
- I go to Keychain Access and select System from the list of keychains.
- I unlock the keychain using my admin password (the icon changes from locked to unlocked).
- I left-click on the key that I want to delete and select Delete "The Key I want to delete"
- I get a box that says "Keychain Access is trying to modify the system keychain, Type your password to allow this." So I do.
- I get a box that says "Are you sure you want to delete "The Key I want to delete" from the System keychain?" I click 'Delete'
- I get a box that says "An error occurred while deleting "The Key I want to delete" UNIX[Operation not permitted]
I am not able to change any of the information in any of the System keys nor am I able to add new keys to the System keychain. My System keychain contains 20 items - all of which are either passwords to WiFis, passwords to Time Machines (which I want to delete), and one application password to the guest account. This being said, I would have no problem "resetting" the System keychain to default (empty) condition.
I also have a MacBook, which is not exhibiting this problem. That is to say that I can freely edit, delete and create keys in the System keychain. I followed the instructions here to backup the system keychain from my MacBook and install it on the iMac, but get an error saying "Operation not permitted".
Any ideas?
Thanks!
iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)
Posted on Nov 29, 2015 8:40 AM
Certain files have a property incorrectly set that will prevent them from being changed or deleted while the system is running. That property can only be removed in Recovery mode. If you don't feel that you can carry out this procedure yourself, please get someone more experienced to help you.
1. Back up all data. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance. Don't skip this step.
2. Disconnect all external storage devices.
3.Start up in Recovery mode. Select a language, if prompted. The OS X Utilities screen will appear.
4. This step is only necessary if you use FileVault 2. If you don't know what FileVault is, you're not using it. Go to the next step. Otherwise, launch Disk Utility, then select the icon of the FileVault volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another drive icon. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar and enter your login password when prompted. Then quit Disk Utility to be returned to the main screen.
5. Select Get Help Online. Safari will launch. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your bookmarks, but you won't need them. Load this web page.
6. Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
chflags norestricted /V*/*/L*/Keyc*/*
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C.
7. Quit Safari. From the menu bar, select
Utilities ▹ Terminal
The Terminal application will launch. Paste into the Terminal window by pressing the key combination command-V.
Wait for a new line ending in a dollar sign ($) to appear. Quit Terminal to be returned to the main screen.
8. Select
▹ Restart
from the menu bar.
You should now be able to change or delete the file(s) in question.
Posted on Dec 1, 2015 7:48 AM