How to Allow Standard User to Install Programs on Mac
In the world of Mac computing, standard users often face limitations when it comes to installing new programs. By default, macOS is designed to restrict standard users from installing software to protect the system from potential security risks. However, there are ways to grant standard users the ability to install programs on their Macs. In this article, we will discuss the steps to allow standard users to install programs on macOS.
Step 1: Enable Admin Access
The first step is to ensure that the standard user has admin access to the Mac. If the user does not have admin privileges, they will not be able to install programs. To check if the user has admin access, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Click on “Users & Groups.”
4. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner to unlock the preferences pane.
5. Enter the administrator password when prompted.
6. Select the standard user account from the list of users.
7. Click the “Edit” button.
8. Make sure the “Allow user to administer this computer” option is checked.
If the standard user does not have admin access, you will need to ask the administrator to grant it.
Step 2: Open the Terminal
Once the standard user has admin access, they can install programs by using the Terminal. The Terminal is a command-line interface that allows users to execute scripts and perform various system tasks. To open the Terminal, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Spotlight icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Type “Terminal” and press Enter.
Step 3: Install Programs Using Homebrew
Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS that allows users to install and manage software packages. To install Homebrew, the standard user needs to execute the following command in the Terminal:
“`
/bin/bash -c “$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)”
“`
After installing Homebrew, the user can install programs by typing the following command:
“`
brew install program_name
“`
Replace “program_name” with the actual name of the program you want to install.
Step 4: Install Programs Manually
If the standard user prefers not to use Homebrew, they can manually install programs by downloading the installer package from the developer’s website. To install a program manually, follow these steps:
1. Download the installer package from the developer’s website.
2. Double-click the installer package to begin the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Conclusion
By following these steps, standard users can install programs on their Macs. However, it is important to note that installing programs as a standard user may pose certain risks, as the system may not be as secure as when the administrator installs the software. Always ensure that the programs you install are from trusted sources and keep your system updated to maintain security.
