This article explains how to change keychain settings using file security, a Mac OS feature introduced with Mac OS 9.0.

Important: If multiple user access is turned on, you should only change your keychain password in the login window that appears when you turn on your computer. If you change your password in the Keychain control panel, you will not be able to log in to your personal environment the next time you start up your computer.

To change your keychain settings:

• Unlock the keychain you want to edit, then open the Edit menu and choose "your keychain Settings," where "your keychain" is the name of the currently active keychain. Make your changes in the settings window, then click Save.
• To change your password, enter a new password, then type it again to confirm it.
• To see a dialog box when an application tries to access your keychain, make sure the "Allow access without warning" checkbox is unchecked.
• To automatically lock your keychain after your computer has been idle for a specified number of minutes, make sure the "Lock after 10 minutes of inactivity" checkbox is checked, and enter a number of minutes.
• To automatically lock your keychain when your computer goes to sleep, make sure the "Lock when the system sleeps" checkbox is checked.

Deleting a keychain

To delete a keychain, make sure the keychain is locked, then drag the keychain file from the Keychains folder in the Preferences folder (inside the System Folder) to the Trash.

Important: If you delete a keychain that holds certificates, you may not be able to verify files which have been signed by those certificates.