I’m testing out Ubuntu 24.04.1 as a live install. I would like to try out some applications by installing from the App Center. However when installing apps I’m prompted for authentication. Dialog states “live session user authentication required”. But there is no password for a live session user and an empty string for the password fails.
Do you see this during your test?
If so, just click Authenticate
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Thanks for the reply. I saw that dialog, but it had a password input field. Clicking Authenticate with an empty string failed.
My picture does not have a password input field.
Can you add a picture of your authentication screen?
I’ll take a screen shot in an hour or so when I boot to Ubuntu. Thanks for helping!
Here is the dialog I get …
Found a work around. Not sure if its a solution/answer? Was able to install solitaire anywho.
I can’t remember where I found this after slogging through the internet for hours yesterday:
"it seems org.debian.apt.policy is not relevant for the Ubuntu Software Center anymore. In the same directory (/usr/share/polkit-1/actions/ ) you’ll find the file io.snapcraft.snapd.policy, which is relevant for snap packages.
In the file find the line: <action id="io.snapcraft.snapd.manage">
under that line change
<allow_active>auth_admin_keep</allow_active>
to
<allow_active>yes</allow_active>. "
I used sudo nano /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/io.snapcraft.snapd.policy to make the change above.
This work around is only good for snap packages via the App Center. Doesn’t work for deb packages via the App Center. Still digging …
If you wish to install deb packages in a live (or installed) session, I suggest that you open a terminal and enter:-
sudo apt install synaptic
[SynapticHowto - Community Help Wiki]
I think I have seen this before.
If you click Cancel and then try again without clicking on Live session user is the Authenticate button available?
Found work around for deb packages:
In the file: /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/org.debian.apt.policy
find the line: <action id="org.debian.apt.install-or-remove-packages">
under that line change
<allow_active>auth_admin_keep</allow_active>
to
<allow_active>yes</allow_active>.
Can not launch Synaptic Package Manager without password.
Start a brand new live session with Ubuntu 24.04
Do not add any workarounds
Install synaptic via terminal
Password not required in a “Try Ubuntu” environment
That’s what I keep hearing. And it auto logs in for a new session. But also still requires authentication for SPM and App Center without the work arounds.
Usually, you just create an admin user with a password.
Three clicks, takes ten seconds.
Settings > Users > Add User
Then you can install anything you want, as you now have an admin password.
Were you unable to create a user?
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@seseeley @tea-for-one I just tested 24.04.1 in a VM as a live Try Ubuntu session.
- I was able to open App Center and install a random new app. The Authentication Required dialog appears but only with the fields shown in the screenshot tea-for-one posted. Clicking on Authenticate allowed me to install the app (and run it without the need for elevated privileges). If you want to test, I installed QOwnNotes.
- in the terminal
sudo apt install synapticworked as expected. Launching Synaptic was greeted with the same dialog and again no password field, just need to click Authenticate and it opens. - Did not try installing anything with Synaptic. Perhaps you can give us an example of a specific package you wanted to try so we can test it.
- Did not try the suggestion by @ian-weisser since the above methods worked.
- I suggest downloading the ISO again and doing a checksum to make sure there was nothing corrupted along the way.
Hope some of this helps.
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I will try @ian-weisser suggestion and report back.
Thank you to everyone that has replied with help and suggestions.
This issue could be the result of using Yumi to create a live “persistent” install on an external SATA drive?
I think we’ve wasted enough time on this issue. The purpose of this live install is to test applications I can’t live without before migrating from Window to Ubuntu. Software to test: Dropbox, Obsidian, Keepass, KMyMoney, GIMP, FreeCAD, Bambu Studio. Already verified my printer/scanner works.
I’m fairly sure all software will pass. If that’s the case I’ll replace my internal Windows HDD with a 1 TB SSD and install the full Ubuntu install (all nine yards and the kitchen sink).
I should still be able to boot to the replaced Windows HDD via the eSATA port, as I’m doing now to test this live install of Ubuntu.
Thanks again for all the help,
Steve
Yes, I’m still beating this dead horse, but we’re now at the end of the trail!
I got to thinking about running Ubuntu Live with persistent memory. Some kind of memory overlay mechanism. Could it be confusing live mode? So I ran live mode without persistent memory. I verified the App Center work a rounds where not present. And it worked as advertised, just as youall have been describing.
Then I wanted to try @ian-weisser method of adding a new user while running with persistent memory. This failed due to needing a password just as the App Center requires.
No big deal as this is only a temporary installation for software testing.
But it does make me ask, how do you use live mode without persistent memory? Without persistent memory you would need to install software applications every time you ran it?
Correct.
It’s all most people need for checking hardware and simple troubleshooting.
You could simply do a real install on that external drive. Persistence has limits, and you don’t have the limited r/w cycles of a normal USB stick.
Keep in mind that Ubuntu has no Product Key to track. You can install and reinstall in different configurations as much as you like.
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Thanks again for all the help, Steve