Run software update in non-admin account?

I did some searching through past posts, but the most recent one I found was several years old.
Is there any way to run Software Update automatically in a non-admin account? I run in a non-admin account unless there's some task that really needs admin privileges to complete, for security purposes, but having Software Update not run automatically is rather suboptimal for security.
So, is there any way to get Software Update to check for updates automatically from a non-admin account? (I'm not averse to using the crontab or launchd, if necessary—I've never done it before, but given instructions, I'm sure I could figure it out.
Thanks in advance!

Did some research on this the other day, to see if i could get Software Update to run in the middle of the night like Windows can do.
Software Update requires Root powers, so when you give it your Admin Password your opening a sudo window of 5 minutes for it to complete it's task.
Software Update doesn't check for updates while in Standard User becuase Standard Users supposedly can't do anything about it anyway and it would be a obvious distraction. "Mommy the computer....!!!"
Apple should have a option in Software update preferences to let certain Standard Users know a Software Update is ready just for the purpose your explaining. I run in Standard as well.
I ran some Software Update commands via the Terminal for a launchd just to see what I could do.
Apprantly one can DOWNLOAD updates automatically with launchd in Admin, but not install them because of the need for sudo.
I just misssed a perfect opoortunity (todays update) to run a launchd to do automatic downloads of Software update, then see how to go about installing them afterwards. So fsck me, I'll have to wait now. (unless i use my other machine! ahhh!!)
Anyway the program you want is this little gem: Lingon
it's on Sourceforge (grab the image)
Ok so that takes care of the Software update downloads (man softwareupdate in Terminal for commands)
/usr/sbin/softwareupdate --download --all
Will do the automatic downloads, now it's just a script away to let you know ( a nice pop up window) that you have something in your folder where the Software Update just downloaded into.
That's the next question is where that is and how to run it.

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Possible conflict with iTunes 7 and non-admin account

I've tried burning cd's in my usual windows account (limited) and it comes up with the error message "disc burner or software not found", but when I log into my admin account and try and burn an mp3 then it burns just fine. I wonder if they changed the way version 7 burns cd's...
Any solutuions or fixes?

I'm not really looking for a way to roll it back. I was just hoping to find a fix for the current version, or make them aware that there is a problem with running it in a non-admin account.
Thanks for the info though!

(Windows Server 2003) Cannot run SQLSERVERAGENT service under non admin user after SP1 Installation

Hi All,
I need a hand here, referring to this knowledge base on Microsoft (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q283811) i applied this knowledge base, and it worked, the MSSQL and SQLSERVERAGENT have run under local non admin account.
But after i installed SP1, MSSQL service is ok, but SQLSERVERAGENT wont run. The warning message is : "Some service run and then stop if they have no work to do."
Is there any way i can install SP1 but in the same time run SQLSERVERAGENT under local non admin account?
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thank you very much in advance.
Felix Adhitya

Please go to the windows services list and check that the service is configured as start Automatic first
1. run -> services.msc -> look for a service named "SQL Server Agent" -> proporties
2. make sure the startup type is Automatic
3. start the service again.
4. If it stop then post for us the full error message from the sql log file
5. move to the "Log On" tab and check what Log on you are using (this will be used for next step if startup type Automatic did not help, therefore write this information).
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Trouble installing software on a non-administrator account

I am the Administrator on the family iMac desktop. My daughter has a Nikon camera and I am trying to install the software for her camera while she is logged into her account. When I go to install the software, I am prompted by the Mac to enter my Admin name and password. Then a few secs later another msg comes up prompted by the software stating that Administrator or higher level access privileges are needed.......
Huh???
What does an administrator need to do in order to install software for a non-admin account? Do I need to log into my own account as an administrator to do this?
Thanks

Administrator privileges are normally required to install software. That's a Mac OS X security measure. I suggest booting into your account and installing it from there, globally, so all users can affectively use them.

Can't run programs from non-admin account: redux

Background: I have years of experience with PCs, very little with Macs. I work with children in a group home. The tech support people who set up this iMac (OS X 10.2) have long since departed, and no one in the organization has any clue as to what changes they made to this system, and I'm sure that those tech people made some changes. For example, in admin accounts other than "root," either there is no access to the Utilities folder or the folder has been well hidden.
The Problem: The boys in this home will use a non-admin account. The programs I have installed for them will run under admin accounts but not under the "boys" account, which is non-admin. The system tells me that the account does not have enough access privileges to run the programs. (Program that had been installed before I got access to this iMac will run under the "boys" account.)
In discussions on this forum several months ago, I thought the answers I got here had helped me solve the problem. Then, for administrative reasons, I did not touch the iMac until last week. What I thought had been solved is not solved.
From "root," using the "Capabilities" option in the Accounts folder, I have added to the "Add other applications..." section the programs I want "boys" to have access to. But this doesn't work. When I log in to "boys," access is denied: insufficient access privileges.
If I give up on this system, the boys will not be able to use this iMac, and that would be a shame.

I realize that it sounds like I ignored all the previous advice before I drafted this latest post. But the first thing I did when I returned to the iMac was to look at the posts.
I didn't touch the system for six months. I was waiting for approval from administration to upgrade the OS. By the time I got the approval, upgrading was no longer an option -- according to the manager of the local Genius Bar. This system is not capable of running 10.5, and Apple will no longer sell 10.4. I can find 10.4 on the Net, but those are private sellers and the price is too high.
Now that I've got that out of the way, the current task: I have no idea why, but the gains I accomplished six months ago have disappeared. The "boys" account can run none of the software I installed. No one else has touched the system. (I live alone.)
I logged on as "root" and went to Accounts. Using 10.2's Capabilities function, I tried to check all the boxes for "boys." But when I close the screen and then re-open it, the system has unchecked "Open all System Preferences"; "Change Password"; and access to "Utilities."
At this point I cannot create new folders under "boys." "boys" can run software that was installed before I got the machine, but that's all.
I have to assume that I inadvertently did something that wiped out my previous gains. But I ain't got a clue.

Update iTunes from non-Admin account?

I had to install iTunes from an admin account, but I use it from an non-admin account. When I get the message that there is a new version available, can I upgrade from the non-admin account? I don't want to try it without knowing because I don't want to corrupt anything. I'm on Windows XP.

No, you log out of you limited user account and update from an administrator account.
Personally I don't trust updating from within iTunes and I always download the installer and save it on my PC before running it.
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
As I am rather paranoid, I make copies of iTunes Library.itl and iTunes Library.xml before updating, do this with iTunes closed. But iTunes should make a backup of its own when updating. Unfortunately if you have to update from an account that is not your usual one, it will backup the library of the account you update from, not the one you want.
Added : Actually I may be wrong in my last point. If the backup is made when you first open iTunes and it converts the library, you may be OK. But I would make a copy anyway.
Message was edited by: polydorus

How to run admin tasks with non-admin account ?

Hello,
The title says it all: I want to allow some non-administrative accounts to run admin tasks which must be run as root.
A solution would be to use 'sudo' and give rights to those non-admin accounts on the binaries used by the tasks. But I notably use 'chmod' and 'chown' in those tasks, and I would not want to give to non-admin accounts rights to run those commands as root outside the admin task scripts. But from my understanding of 'sudo', if I do it, non-admin accounts will be able to use chmod and chown outside the scripts. Is this right ?
The sid bit could have been a solution I think, but sadly it is not supported on Mac OSX 10.5.
Thanks

I am trying to use the sudo route add command in a script, which should run as part of a vpn connection config file. I get an unable to run script error in the log.
I searched and found the following older discussion
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1986808
I tried that but I get a syntax error when trying to save the sudoers file I chose to save anyway.
Tried to run the command from the terminal and got the following error
postdrop warning: unable to look up public/pickup:no such file or directory.
Can you give me an example of your sudoers file with the correct syntax etc.
Thanx

Can't run programs from non-admin account

I'm new to the Mac and rusty with -- but not new to -- UNIX. I'm working with an iMac running OS X 10.2. I have installed several programs in a non-admin account (called "boys"), but they will not run from that account. The "get info" screen tells me that the "boys" account is the owner of the program. Read/write permission is enabled. When I try to run the programs, I get this error message: "The operation could not be completed because you do not have enough access privileges." I have installed the same programs in an admin account, and the programs run just fine from that account. I'd like to get this working so that the boys in the "boys" account can actually use the system. I have "inherited" this system from prior users. Programs that were on the system when I got my hands on it do run -- for the most part -- from "boys."
iMac Mac OS X (10.2.x)
iMac Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Thanks for the reply, Ken. My various unsuccessful attempts to solve this problem led me to create a folder named "Programs." (I know, my PC roots are showing.) I did this for two reasons: 1) I hoped that this would give me more control over what was happening; and 2) I wanted to give the children with whom I am working an easy way to find the programs that I want them to use. When I use < cd /users/boys > and then do an ls- l, I see the Programs folder. An ls -l on that folder shows all the program I have loaded and indicates that the "x" permission is applied to owner, group and others. Moreover, I assumed (incorrectly, perhaps) that installing the programs using the "boys" non-admin account would make them the "owner" of the programs and that "x" permission would follow. Well, ls -l indicates that they are the owners and that they do have execute permission. I can only guess that the prior users of this system -- and nobody in this organization seems to know where they are -- did something that requires more than Advil to overcome.
J...
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iMac Mac OS X (10.2.x)

Running Photoshop CS3 under a non-admin account?

Is it possible to run Photoshop CS3 under a non-admin account with Mac OS 10.4.11? If yes, is it stable then, and are there any known issues?

Buko and Ann:
Can you support with some documentation please? A quick Google search has many sites recommending to create two accounts. I could fine none (quickly) that stated it might not be necessary. I'm not so much concerned with being right (as it would be somebody else that was wrong) but purely to know that all the articles I have read are also full of sh!t.
I can assure you however that it is not a nuisance to work in a standard account. Certainly any maintenance I do is usually administered through the admin account. It would be a f!cking exasperating not to be able to log in as admin at the end/beginning of the day and manage these tasks on my time. In batch modding files I do find myself typing in passwords I shouldn't have to type, but I batch mod files infrequently and only because our file server is set up with no trust to individual users. I know if I change the setup someone will immediately delete someone else's directory just to teach me not to fiddle.
Rich: I've run CS2 and CS3 (and CS2 & CS3 ;)) in standard accounts with no problems. The only thing I can think of off the top is that Sing system error which was certainly permissions related. I will disclose that my office is relaxed (gov't) and I no longer consider myself a power-user. Though that probably means I am closer now that ever. I click a button and the computer does its thing. No worries.
I'm open to new ideas, and love to learn. I suppose the above is only strongly worded in response...
J

Problems running TestStand 4.0 under non-admin account

I am having problems running TestStand 4.0 under a non-admin account under windows XP. I have done the following:
   1. Set full control protection to entire National Instrument directory
   2. tcverselext.exe was giving me problems until I changed it to run in window 95 compatability mode. Otherwise I get an "you do not have administrator priviliges to run this command" error. Don't know if this is the correct fic for this.
   3. Now when starting TestStand I get a "Retrieving COM class factory for component with CLSID {B2794EF6-C0B6-11D0-939C-0020AF68E893} - failed due to the following error: 80040154." error
Everything works fine as administrator.
Can anyone help me?
Don

The Version Selector needs to be run with Administrator Access. When you are running it in Windows 95 Compatability Mode, you are masking the problem. However, once you set the correct version of TestStand, you no longer need Administrator Access to use the Sequence Editor.
Allen P.
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Font engine issues in non-admin account

I have an account with administrator rights (a privileged, or -pr account) for installing software and a non-privilged account for everyday use, on my Windows XP computer. I am having the following font issues with Illustrator CS3. When using the non-pr account, a number of fonts are unavailable, e.g. <Symbol> (Adobe type 1) and <Symbol> (Open Type). Also, names for available fonts are not forced to display in English, despite my having checked the box for EDIT>PREFERENCES>TYPE_Show_Font_Names_in_English. For example, the name of the Symbol_Italic font is displayed in Greek letters. When I log on as the -pr user, the font engine works fine. Both Symbol fonts are available, and all font names are displayed in English. The font engine in InDesign CS3 works fine from either account, so this seems to be a bug in Illustrator.

Did some research on this the other day, to see if i could get Software Update to run in the middle of the night like Windows can do.
Software Update requires Root powers, so when you give it your Admin Password your opening a sudo window of 5 minutes for it to complete it's task.
Software Update doesn't check for updates while in Standard User becuase Standard Users supposedly can't do anything about it anyway and it would be a obvious distraction. "Mommy the computer....!!!"
Apple should have a option in Software update preferences to let certain Standard Users know a Software Update is ready just for the purpose your explaining. I run in Standard as well.
I ran some Software Update commands via the Terminal for a launchd just to see what I could do.
Apprantly one can DOWNLOAD updates automatically with launchd in Admin, but not install them because of the need for sudo.
I just misssed a perfect opoortunity (todays update) to run a launchd to do automatic downloads of Software update, then see how to go about installing them afterwards. So fsck me, I'll have to wait now. (unless i use my other machine! ahhh!!)
Anyway the program you want is this little gem: Lingon
it's on Sourceforge (grab the image)
Ok so that takes care of the Software update downloads (man softwareupdate in Terminal for commands)
/usr/sbin/softwareupdate --download --all
Will do the automatic downloads, now it's just a script away to let you know ( a nice pop up window) that you have something in your folder where the Software Update just downloaded into.
That's the next question is where that is and how to run it.

ITunes sharing on Vista non-admin account

I've looked fairly hard and can't find any reference to exactly this problem. Any ideas?
Setup is a home network of 3 macs and 2 pc laptops, based around a NetGear DG834Gv2. 2 macs running 10.5.4, other mac running Tiger, PCs running Vista. All updates applied.
All iTunes sharing works across all machines except that the Vista laptops won't access the shared music on the other machines when using a non-admin account. They work fine when logged in as admin but give "can't access shared library (-39), Check firewall allows access to port 3689" etc. when logged in as normal user. The Windows Firewall is off and I've tried turning off the Norton firewall that was pre-installed as part of the security setup - no different.
The macs can see the music shared from the PCs - just not the other way round.
Help!
Thanks,
Pete

I have the same setup as yourself (standard user for everyday use, admin user for software install and system settings change) and I was able to set up FMM in the admin account with no problems, except some pre-requisites: while logged in to the admin profile you have to 1) install the Lion HD Recovery Update, 2) enable location services in the Security & Privacy PrefPane and 3) enable Wake For Network Access in the Power Adapter section of the Energy Saver PrefPane.
I didn't want to set up iCloud sync in the admin profile but Apple made me to. Anyway, it seems I don't have to stay logged in to the admin account for FMM to work. You'll notice that, even though FMM has been configured on the admin account, it will still appear as "authorization required" in the standard account.
I hope this helps.

Lightroom 3 asks for serial number launching in non-admin account

The following information was provided by Carey Burgess (Adobe Employee):
Does Lightroom 3 launch and work fine in an admin account, but when you launch the application in a standard (i.e. non-admin) account it asks for a serial number?
If so, then it is likely due to a file permissions issue either in the original (admin) account or with the standard account.
(Although you need administrator access to install Lightroom, and you do need proper access permissions to your photos, you should be able to run Lightroom without issue in a standard user account.)
Lightroom 3 stores registration data (the serial number) in a file called Lightroom 3.0 Registration, which is stored by default in one of these locations:
    * Mac OS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom
    * Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom
    * Windows 7/Vista: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Lightroom
- Check for the registration file in the appropriate location for your system.
If the file does not exist in that location, then ensure you are logged in with the admin account (the one where Lightroom doesn't prompt for a serial number) and check the user-specific location instead:
    * Mac OS: /Users/YOUR USER NAME/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom
    * Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom
    * Windows 7/Vista: C:\Users\YOUR USER NAME\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom
If the file exists in the user-specific location instead, then I would suggest that you ensure that you have quit Lightroom, and then move the registration file from the user location to the default system-wide location. Lightroom should now no longer prompt for serial number when you open it from a non-admin account.
If the registration file did (or now does) exist in the default system-wide location, but you are still being prompted to enter a serial number when opening Lightroom in a standard user account, then that account does not have sufficient access permission to the registration file.
To resolve this aspect, there are two possible solutions (the first being the recommended solution):
1. Change the access permissions on the Lightroom folder that contains the registration file to grant "Read" access for the standard user account. (You can do this for each account individually, or you can use a broader group like Everyone.)
For more information about changing permissions, see one of these articles:
    * Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308419#4
    * Windows Vista/Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/What-are-permissions
    * Mac OS: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8342.html
2. Copy the registration file from the system-wide location to the user-specific location for the standard user account. (You would need to repeat this step for each standard user that needs access to Lightroom.)
Reply here if these steps do not resolve your issue, or if you have any questions.

Months ago, I had a routine clearout of old software boxes etc and chucked out my Lightroom 1.0 box. A couple of weeks ago I reinstalled Lion on my mac to find that I cannot register Lightroom. I have the 3.0 upgrade serial, the 2.0 upgrade serial, but the 1.0 was on the box..
I followed the instructions above to find the files in crashplan form before the fomat that hold the registration details. I have tried placing them in the location described, but it doesn't seem to work.
The serials (or something) are in the file, but given in the string that is difficult to decipher - and doesn't work in the registration screen, wrong size and a mix of letters and numbers rather than just numbers as my 3.0 serial is.
Any suggestions for what I could do? Could I send the strings in to Adobe to be deciphered? Perhaps move files around a bit more?
Thanks in advance,
Rog.

Problems with libraries and plugins - non admin account

I''ve got a couple of problems with a fresh install of photoshop on my windows Windows 7 64 bits system.
1. Libraries panel does not work. It displays the following error and interaction is not possible:
2. 3rd party plugins would load their content.
3. In the Creative Cloud Application the apps tab would load and displays the "download error" message:
The funny thing is that all the above errors don't occur on the loacl admin account. So I think this might be a permission problem. I think the most easy sollution would be to work under the admin account, but sadly that's no option (company policy). I am able to extent the rights of the useraccount I work on, but I don't know in wich folders the software needs write permissions. The both Adobe folders in program files and program files (x86) I already changed to full acces for all users. Can someone please help me?

Problems with libraries and plugins - non admin account https://forums.adobe.com/people/pippyn%20stortelder
This is a permissions Error. The other accounts on the computer do have permissions to use / change the administrator settings of these particular items.
There are two ways you can fix this. 1.) contact the admin of the system and let him know your accounts need read access to these items
My Preferred method is:
If you are on a Windows Account, then you can choose those items to run in Administrator mode for all people. ( win7,64bit )
Right click the infinity system for creative cloud (creative cloud icon - you would normally click to start the program. (not the one in your service tray, but the one in your menu area with the square red on it.
choose/click on properties
choose/click compatibility (tab at the top of the window)
Last boxed option on this screen is: Run Program As Administrator, Click that check box.
Click on Change Settings for All Users
in the window that comes up again choose, put an X in the box- the last option, Run Program As Administrator - Click Apply
Click OK
Click OK and the opened preferences window should now be closed.
You should be able to simply invoke the Cloud app now. But you might want to reboot to safe.
Depending on the installation methods used for your add-ons, you may have to perform this same process for all add-ins. I believe that would depend on which account, first installed the add-on and what level of permissions they have.
Good Luck
~elaine.

Problems running Software Update and Disk Utility

I had automatic updating turned on in the Software Updates control panel, so I believe the system tried to apply the 10.4.6 automatically and somehow failed.
Ever since, when I try to run Software Update it hangs while trying to connect to the internet to get the list of available updates. I tried downloading the installer directly from Apple, but when I try to select a volume on which to install the update, it doesn't list my hard drive.
Finally, when trying to run the Disk Utility, I get an error about how the Disk Utility cannot be started because a background process is not running. I have to Force Quit to exit out of the Utility.
I was able to boot off the Mac OS X 10.4 installation DVD at which point I repaired the permissions and repaired the disk. However, upon restart the same problems remain.
I've seen several other people post about this issue; has anyone found a resolution OTHER than doing an Archive and Install (which I don't want to do if I don't have to?)
Thanks so much for help that anyone can provide!
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Create a new admin account with Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Accounts and see if the issue duplicates itself logging into that account. That will say if the issue systemwide, or just localized to the a bad user cache file. If the issue persists in the new user, you can try looking in the System -> Library and Library -> Cache, Applications Support, and ByHost folders for cache files relating to Software Update and Disk Utility. Once you find them, carefully extract them to comparable folders on your desktop you create (i.e. name one systemlibrarycache) so you know where you go them from, and restart your Mac. If the issues go away after two restarts then it is just one set of bad cache files. If the issues return after two restarts, you have something generating bad cache files which needs a more system wide repair tool.

Run software update in non-admin account?

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