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 15.04 and gksu is now old.
I tried to modify the exec
line from
Exec=gksu /home/natasha/FlashTool/FlashTool
to Exec=pkexec /home/natasha/FlashTool/FlashTool
Then, I read about pkexec doesn't allow to run X11 applications and so I override in this way:
Link to full image on Imgur.com
The problem now is: It asks me the password but the Flashtool's GUI doesn't start. BUT if I execute that command in terminal, the program starts without problems. What can I do?
Link to full image on Imgur.com
Create a new file in /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/
sudo nano /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/FlashTool.policy
and add the lines below:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE policyconfig PUBLIC
"-//freedesktop//DTD PolicyKit Policy Configuration 1.0//EN"
"http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/PolicyKit/1/policyconfig.dtd">
<policyconfig>
<action id="org.freedesktop.policykit.pkexec.run-FlashTool">
<description>Run FlashTool</description>
<message>Authentication is required to run FlashTool</message>
<defaults>
<allow_any>no</allow_any>
<allow_inactive>no</allow_inactive>
<allow_active>auth_admin_keep</allow_active>
</defaults>
<annotate key="org.freedesktop.policykit.exec.path">/home/natasha/FlashTool/FlashTool</annotate>
<annotate key="org.freedesktop.policykit.exec.allow_gui">TRUE</annotate>
</action>
</policyconfig>
Then create a new file /home/natasha/FlashTool/
nano /home/natasha/FlashTool/flashtool-pkexec
and add the lines below:
#!/bin/sh
pkexec "/home/natasha/FlashTool/FlashTool" "$@"
Use the line below for Exec
in your desktop
file:
Exec=/home/natasha/FlashTool/flashtool-pkexec
Tested on my system Ubuntu 15.04 GNOME with the following files:
$ cat /usr/share/applications/gedit.root.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Gedit as root
GenericName=Text Editor
X-GNOME-FullName=
Comment=
Exec=gedit-pkexec
Icon=gedit
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=GNOME;System;Filesystem;Settings;
StartupNotify=true
X-Ubuntu-Gettext-Domain=gedit
$ cat /usr/share/polkit-1/actions/gedit.policy
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE policyconfig PUBLIC
"-//freedesktop//DTD PolicyKit Policy Configuration 1.0//EN"
"http://www.freedesktop.org/standards/PolicyKit/1/policyconfig.dtd">
<policyconfig>
<action id="org.freedesktop.policykit.pkexec.run-FlashTool">
<description>Run FlashTool</description>
<message>Authentication is required to run FlashTool</message>
<defaults>
<allow_any>no</allow_any>
<allow_inactive>no</allow_inactive>
<allow_active>auth_admin_keep</allow_active>
</defaults>
<annotate key="org.freedesktop.policykit.exec.path">/usr/bin/gedit</annotate>
<annotate key="org.freedesktop.policykit.exec.allow_gui">TRUE</annotate>
</action>
</policyconfig>
$ cat /usr/bin/gedit-pkexec
#!/bin/sh
pkexec "gedit" "$@"