pkexec allows an authorized user to execute PROGRAM as another user. If username is not specified, then the program will be executed as the administrative super user, root.
Questions tagged [pkexec]
51 questions
57
votes
6 answers
gksu: Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: :0
All of the sudden gksu stopped working for me:
~$ gksu gparted
(gpartedbin:24252): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display: :0
The same happens with gparted-pkexec:
~$ gparted-pkexec
No protocol specified
(gpartedbin:25454): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot…
d_inevitable
- 1,922
40
votes
3 answers
How to configure pkexec?
Reading these questions and answers:
When to use pkexec vs. gksu/gksudo?
Why is gksu no longer installed by default?
brought me another one that will create problems for new users of that command:
How to configure pkexec for easy usage?
For…
Luis Alvarado
- 216,643
35
votes
2 answers
/etc/sudoers file corrupted and I can't run 'pkexec visudo' over SSH
Following the instruction here I get:
pkexec visudo
==== AUTHENTICATING FOR org.freedesktop.policykit.exec ===
Authentication is needed to run `/usr/sbin/visudo' as the super user
Authenticating as: Thomas,,, (tuc) Password: …
28
votes
1 answer
When should I use pkexec and when sudo -i?
I wrote an answer advising the use of sudo -i nautilus. I know that gksu is deprecated, and I was under the impression that sudo -i is how we should run graphical applications as root without killing kittens, but someone commented 'pkexec is the new…
Zanna
- 72,312
14
votes
4 answers
pkexec command in a .desktop file
I made a .desktop file for Androxyde's Flashtool (utility for Sony Xperia devices that I have to open with an executable file in its folder) that requires root privileges to use fastboot utilities.
I used to make it work with gksu, but I'm on Ubuntu…
np_3ka
- 544
- 3
- 6
- 22
14
votes
1 answer
How to configure pkexec to not ask for password?
I have a GUI application that needs to call a daemon (written in Python) with superuser privileges. I would like to do this without prompting the user for a password.
Since the daemon is a script, I can't set the SUID bit directly. I could write a…
Chinmay Kanchi
- 921
9
votes
2 answers
Can I use pkexec in a python script or a .desktop file?
From the following questions
Why is gksu no longer installed by default?
When to use pkexec vs. gksu/gksudo?
we see that gksu will no longer be supported in the long term, and it will not be installed by default from >= 13.04. Instead we should…
Takkat
- 144,580
8
votes
3 answers
pkexec won't launch polkit GUI in Lubuntu / LXDE
I performed a fresh install of Lubuntu 12.04 with minimal desktop, as described here.
To clarify, I did a command-line install from the Lubuntu alternative install disc, then I did an apt-get install --no-install-recommends…
ven42
- 453
7
votes
1 answer
Is sudo -i less secure than pkexec?
I just heard that it isn't recommended to use sudo -i on GUI programs - because it's less secure.
Is there any truth here - is there an advantage to this:
sudo -i gedit /random/file.name
over
pkexec gedit /random/file.name
I used to use gksudo,…
Tim
- 33,500
6
votes
3 answers
Replacing gksudo with pkexec: editor doesn't start in current folder
I'm trying to be a good boy and stop using gksudo, especially since it just got orphaned in the 18.04 daily builds (note, this question is not specific to 18.04).
In the bad old days of using gksudo, I'd typically navigate to a folder containing the…
Organic Marble
- 24,696
5
votes
1 answer
Error: "The value for the SHELL variable was not found the /etc/shells file" when running `pkexec`
On Ubuntu 14.04, I am getting the error "The value for the SHELL variable was not found the /etc/shells file" when running pkexec to run a script.
Most likely this error started after I removed the fish shell, that was set as my default shell.
The…
J. Doe
- 53
5
votes
2 answers
Why pkexec does not launch Qt-based application as root user?
Previously it was told that it is bad idea to use sudo to launch GUI-based applications.
So one should use pkexec instead.
I remembered it, so I tried this to launch Kubuntu Driver Manager on Kubuntu 20.04 LTS using terminal as
pkexec…
N0rbert
- 103,263
4
votes
0 answers
Configure pkexec to only prompt for password once
When using sudo there is a timeout where you don't have to type the password again for x minutes when you run sudo again. Is it possible to get the same thing for graphical applications which use pkexec? I've looked everywhere and all I can find is…
krispy
- 383
3
votes
0 answers
How to run applications as root using gksu alternative
When I run applications like Synaptic or Gparted, I'm prompted by the lovely screen on the left, to enter my admin password. I think this has something to do with pkexec.
But when I run applications using gksu I am prompted by the ugly window on the…
Joshua Robison
- 3,083
3
votes
0 answers
pkexec can not start any GUI application
I am running Ubuntu 13.04, Gnome 3.6.
There is something amiss with pkexec that is not allowing it to start any gui application.
pkexec synaptic in a zsh terminal produces a box asking for admin password. On entering the correct password, it…
deshmukh
- 4,121