Change default button for multi-user shutdown dialog

Jun 04, '04 11:00:04AM

Contributed by: troblong50

I have always been frustrated by the Shut Down/Restart Dialog that shows up when more than one person is logged in. The default button is the Cancel button, so when I type in my user name and password and press the return button, it cancels the Shut Down/Restart. I found a very simple way to change the default button.

To do this, you need the Interface Builder program that comes with Xcode. Open the file ChangeRunState.nib in the folder /System -> Library -> SecurityAgentPlugins -> RestartAuthorization.bundle -> Contents -> Resources -> English.lproj. Make sure the only window, "Panel," is open and make sure the Info window is open by pressing Command-Shift-I.

Next, click on the "Cancel" button. In the Attributes part of the Info window, change the key equivalent popup to "No key." Then click on the "OK" button, and change the key equivalent popup to "Return." Then save it. If you can't save it, you'll have to change the access permissions on the file and maybe the folder it's in. Thats all there is too it!

[robg adds: Please insert standard disclaimer here about modifying core system files: backup your data files, backup the file you're about to modify, and any damage you may do to your system is not our fault! That said, this one is a relatively tame modification, but you will probably have to temporarily change the ownership on the file to make the changes. I have not tested this one.]

Comments (8)


Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=2004060216012016