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# SCPreferencesCreate(_:_:_:)

Initiates access to the per-system set of configuration preferences.

```
func SCPreferencesCreate(_ allocator: CFAllocator?, _ name: CFString, _ prefsID: CFString?) -> SCPreferences?
```

## Parameters

`allocator`

The allocator to use to allocate memory for this preferences session. If the value is not a valid `CFAllocator`, the behavior is undefined. Pass `NULL` or <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/CoreFoundation/kCFAllocatorDefault> to use the current default `CFAllocator`.

`name`

The name of the calling process.

`prefsID`

The name of the group of preferences to be accessed or updated. A name that starts with a leading “/” character specifies the absolute path to the file containing the preferences to be accessed. A name that does not start with a leading “/” character specifies a file relative to the default system preferences directory.

    To access the default system preferences, pass in     `NULL`    .

## Return Value

A reference to the new preferences session. You must release the returned value.

## Discussion

---

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