What makes the "Enable Root User" option available?

I've read the articles on enabling and disabling the root user. They all get to the Open Directory Utility where you need to "Choose Edit > Enable Root User" . I can successfully do this on MacBook Air with Lion, but not my Mini with Mavericks because Enable root User is not enables (grey). WhatdoI need to do to enable it, or another way, what would cause it to be disabled?

cdefromtacoma wrote:
Never mind. I have decades experience with Unix/Linux etc. (just not so much with OS X), and in this instance I know I need root. Besides, if not this time, then sometime soon. Thanks for your efforts though.
All the more reason for my question. You can always get root via sudo. If you didn't have that experience with UNIX then it might be a more difficult question of explaining how to use the Terminal. The only reason to enable the root user is to perform an Aqua login as root. All of the system-level operations are far more easily done in the Terminal than in the UI. Plus, nobody, including Apple, ever enables root so there is no telling what performing UI actions as root will do. I'm not being pedantic here. I am just repeating what I hear from Apple. I filed a bug report on the buggy "enable root" operation and Apple's response was literally "why not just use sudo?".

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HT1528 I can not find the enable root user in, I am using Lion

I can not find the enable root user in, I am using Lion

First off, it is a "Bad" idea to enable 'root', as that is the one known account that exists on every Unix system. If 'root' is enabled, it makes it much easier to break into a Mac via the one account that has absolute control over everything.
Having said that...
i too do not observe in editor section enable root user when I perform what Kappy offered in link.
Did you click on "Login Options" to get the "Join..." button?
Did you click on "Open Directory Utility" ?
Did you go to the Menu Bar and click "Edit"? It should be right there 2/3's of the way down the "Edit" menu -> "Enable Root User"
If you want another way.
Start an Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal session
sudo su -
password: <enter your admin password here>
passwd
Changing password for root.
New password:
Retype new password:
You have now enabled 'root'. I hope you gave 'root' a very VERY STRONG password, as you have just opened yourself up for script kiddies to go after your root account.

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I am trying to install the utility qprint and in order to install it in the location /usr/local/bin, I need to enable root user which I of course I plan to disable after executing the command. I have followed the instructions to the point of opening the Directory Utility but I do not see the 'Enable root user' option. I see 3 tabs, Services, Search Policy, and Directory Editor. I've poked around in all 3 tabs but do not see the option to Enable Root User. I have 2 questions: 1) Is there another way for me install the qprint utility without having to go through this? and 2) If not, what am I missing? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Thanks Niel ... for some reason I was thinking that the edit described was located in the window - didn't even cross my mind to look at the menus above. Thanks again for your help.

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Changing short name - cannot enable root user??

Hi I encountered a problem trying to enable the root user in order to follow the steps to change my short name. As I follow the steps into opening Directory Utility and entering my administrator account name and password. Here's where I'm stuck at, there is no "Edit" button asking me to enable the root user. Anyone have any idea what I should do now?

ow88 wrote:
Alright I have no idea why I can't edit my own post, but anyways..
You only have about 10 minutes to edit.
did a little research, turns out it gets more complicating than that. It messes up your files, locks you out, and you lose being your own adminstrator? But since I have nothing saved, this doesn't affect me right?
In Directory Utility.app (in utilities) unlock the lock, lower left by clicking on it. Then in the menu, top left on your screen, under Edit, click Enable Root user and proceed.
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sudo passwd root
and first entering your regular admin password and then selecting a root password, which should not be the same as your admin password for obvious reasons.
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Enable Root User in Snow Leopard 10.6.6

I read the exact same question in an earlier topic, but part of the answer doesn't make sense to me when I follow the instructions.
The link to the 'answer' is here http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1528?viewlocale=en_US
I understand it all, right up to step 9 where it says "Choose Enable Root User from the Edit menu."
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Hi,
I am not sure if this is the right place for this question, pls direct me if it isn't.
I am trying to make changes to the hibernatemode setting using terminal. But I get a prompt saying 'pmset must be run as root...'.
I have enabled root user in directory services, I still get the same prompt.
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Regards,
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Root User

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Please use Marked as Answer if my post solved your problem and use
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Full Name
Comment                      Built-in account for administering the computer/domain
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Account active               No
Account expires              Never
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Global Group memberships     *None
The command completed successfully.

What makes the "Enable Root User" option available?

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