Locking Preference Settings

Most preferences panes include a lock button that enables you to lock the settings. Locking a preferences pane's settings prevent them from being changed accidentally or by users who do not have administrative privileges.

To lock a preferences pane

Click the lock button at the bottom of a preferences pane window (Figure 123).

Figure 123. When a preferences pane is unlocked, the padlock icon at the bottom of its window looks unlocked.

The button changes so that the icon within it looks like a locked padlock (Figure 124).

Figure 124. When a preferences pane is locked, the padlock icon at the bottom of its window looks locked.

To unlock a preferences pane

1.	Click the lock button at the bottom of a locked preferences pane window (Figure 124).
2.	Enter an administrator's name and password in the Authenticate dialog that appears (Figure 125) and click OK. Figure 125. Enter an administrator's user name and password in the Authenticate dialog to unlock the preferences pane. The button changes so that the icon within it looks like an unlocked padlock.