Passwords unlock secure system preferences

Question

In past OS X systems I seem to remember that there was a 'Require password to unlock each secure system preference' option. In Yosemite this seems no longer to be the case, and there seems no longer to be an option to disable a password demand for individual applications (e.g. Energy Saver). I am finding it a nuisance to type in my password each time I need to change a preference, which at the moment I am having to do fairly regularly. Does anyone know whether there is a straightforward way of disabling this password requirement?

Answer 1

Linc, thanks very much for your swift response. Automatic Login is not enabled in my (administrator) account, but I was nonetheless required to enter a password each time I wanted to alter a preference. However, I found that unchecking, in 'Security & Privacy/General/Advanced', the 'Require an administrator password to access system-wide preferences' box has solved this problem.