30 August 2009 Tips Comments

Enable root account in Snow Leopard

Enable root account in Snow Leopard

Accessing the root account is disabled by default in Snow Leopard. Luckily enabling it is pretty simple and takes less than 2 minutes.

Warning: Enabling the root account can leave your Mac vulnerable to security threats. Only enable it if you are aware of the risks and know what you are doing.
  1. Open the Directory Utility located in /System/Library/CoreServices/.
  2. Unlock the application by clicking the padlock icon and entering your Administrator login.
  3. From the Edit menu, select Enable Root User.
  4. Chose Change Root Password from the Edit menu and chose a password for the root user.

That’s it! Make sure to lock the application by clicking the padlock icon.

  • Name
    Um........... not on this Mac running Snow Leopard 10.6.2. I just enabled root user following the steps listed above. I am set up to receive auto updates, but out of curiosity, which update was it?

    I'm not calling you out, doctorlove2010, merely asking if the update disables the function, but not the physical enablement. I mean, I'm able to follow the instructions, but will enabling root user just not do anything anymore?
  • You can also run 'SUDO passwd root' w/out quotes and type your admin password then the root password.
  • doctorlove2010
    The last security update eliminated the EDIT Root User function
  • Name
    Oops, I responded to this comment below (post by "name" on Fri. Feb. 19 @ 10:14am Central).
  • Thanx thanx so much for this tip !!!! you saved my digital life ;-)
  • sheemer
    I don't remember if I:ve done above or not, but just *sudo -s* is working on my SnowLeo.
  • rodo
    you guys rarely would need this. use the SUDO command instead. Few unix people uses a pure root account nowadays except for boot manipulation and stuff like that.
  • GiannisK
    I have a serious problem!
    I need some sudo commanding but I get a icorrect password error all the time.
    a) I tried rebooting the system with its original CD and did reset the administrator password.
    b) I enabled root account from directory utility.
    I still get INCORRECT PASSWORF from the terminal when trying to SUDO.
  • rodo
    SUDO needs your CURRENT USER password, not the root password. Precisely, SUDO is for AVOIDING using the root password
  • Brooks
    What do you mean by "security threats"? As long as you choose a secure password it's safe, right?
  • That warning is mostly a disclaimer for novice users who don't necessarily have experience with the command line or who aren't aware of good security habits.

    But having the root account enabled does make your system more vulnerable in any case. Perhaps the most basic example being a piece of malware installed on your system that logs your keystrokes as you login as super user. In this case, a good password would be useless.
  • Precisely, simply chose 'Disable root user' from the Edit menu.
  • Chris
    Is disabling the reverse of the above?
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