"modifying [folder] requires an administrator name and password"

Question

Level 1

74 points

"modifying [folder] requires an administrator name and password"

All of a sudden, every time I try to use a particular file folder--to add a file, move a file, rename a file--I get this message: "modifying [folder] requires an administrator name and password"

So far today, I have given my administrator name and password at least 10 times for this same folder.

It's on my own computer, I created the file folder, and I have used it many times previous to today without having to give my name and password every time I blink.

Why is this happening and how do I get it to stop?

Thanks,

Mark

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Jul 24, 2017 12:47 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 2, 2018 5:05 PM in response to mccarlson

Reset permissions solved my issues:

Resolve issues caused by changing the permissions of items in your home folder - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

741,761 points

Jul 24, 2017 1:25 PM in response to mccarlson

Select it in the Finder, choose Get Info from the File menu, and check the settings in the Sharing & Permissions section.

(152417)

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,172 points

Jul 24, 2017 2:34 PM in response to mccarlson

If SIP is enabled AND the folder is placed in a "system" area, even using an administrator or root account may not be enough.

If this is not the case, then Niel's suggestion that you check the folder's permissions in Finder, would be a good next step.

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Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

158,172 points

Jul 24, 2017 1:19 PM in response to mccarlson

Two possible reasons:

You are attempting to modify a file or folder in a directory that requires administrator privileges.
System Integration Protection (SIP) is enabled and you don't have sufficient user permissions to perform the task.

Ref:

About System Integrity Protection on your Mac - Apple Support
OS X 10.11 El Capitan: The Ars Technica Review - Ars Technica

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Answer 5

mccarlson Author

Level 1

74 points

Jul 24, 2017 1:23 PM in response to Tesserax

As I said above, I created the folder and have used it many times previous to today without being asked every few seconds to give my administrator name and password. I AM the administrator, and I am the only person who ever uses this, my personal computer. So why would I suddenly need to keep given my name and password?

It's really irritating and time-consuming.

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Answer 6

mccarlson Author

Level 1

74 points

Jul 24, 2017 1:27 PM in response to Niel

Thank you. I had done this just before I read these various responses, and I think it has worked.

I sincerely do not know how it happened in the first place, since I never took any action to restrict my own access to my own files.

Mark

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