Password to Unlock Preferences Is Required

What

Requiring administrator password to change system settings prevents other users on the computer to change them without your knowledge.

Why you should turn on administrator password to unlock preferences

If you hand over the computer to someone, they can't change your system settings.

Time to fix

<1 minute

How to enable administrator password to unlock preferences

• Open System Preferences, click Privacy & Security, scroll to the bottom and click Advanced in bottom right.
• Check Require an administrator password to access system-wide preferences.

How to enable on Monterey and older

• Open System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then the tab General.
• Click the lock icon in the bottom-left, then enter the account password.
• Click Advanced in bottom right.
• Check Require an administrator password to access system-wide preferences.