Why do some applications require an admin password to install and some don't?

michelle_taylor · michelle_taylor #1 (**permalink**)

02-27-2009, 06:17 PM

Why is it that some applications require me to type in my admin password for them to install, while other applications don't?
ie: Microsoft Office 2008 and Adobe CS3 require an admin password.
While the majority of other apps don't require it at all.

I think it has something to do with root access, but why would an application even need root access, while others don't?

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vansmith · vansmith #2 (**permalink**)

02-27-2009, 06:40 PM

You only have access privileges to some directories on your machine. For ones that you don't, you have to give a password that has administrator privileges so you can write files to those directories. In the case of the examples you gave, Office and CS3 would presumably write files to directories that you don't have privilege to otherwise.

bobtomay · bobtomay #3 (**permalink**)

02-27-2009, 06:41 PM

Not with root access. Some programs install stuff into the system folders. Any change made to the system will require your password.

van beat me to it, takes longer for us old timers to type stuff in

michelle_taylor #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 02, 2008 Posts: 69	02-27-2009, 06:17 PM Why is it that some applications require me to type in my admin password for them to install, while other applications don't? ie: Microsoft Office 2008 and Adobe CS3 require an admin password. While the majority of other apps don't require it at all. I think it has something to do with root access, but why would an application even need root access, while others don't? . Last edited by michelle_taylor; 02-27-2009 at 06:32 PM.
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Why do some applications require an admin password to install and some don't?

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vansmith #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,314 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	02-27-2009, 06:40 PM You only have access privileges to some directories on your machine. For ones that you don't, you have to give a password that has administrator privileges so you can write files to those directories. In the case of the examples you gave, Office and CS3 would presumably write files to directories that you don't have privilege to otherwise.
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