Documents Locked

[Mr M5]

Can somebody tell me how to unlock documents so I can make changes to them and save changes? I'm using pages and it locks almost instantly.

 

[theSeb]

Cmd+I on the file in finder. Untick locked attribute.

 

[Mr M5]

Cmd+I on the file in finder. Untick locked attribute.

looked isn't checked? 😱

 

[derbothaus]

Try this in Terminal:

chflags -R nouchg /path/to/the/offendingfile

That should clear the lock. run it as sudo if it gives you attitude. And maybe make a copy of the file first.

 

[Mr M5]

Try this in Terminal:

chflags -R nouchg /path/to/the/offendingfile

That should clear the lock. run it as sudo if it gives you attitude. And maybe make a copy of the file first.

it states that there is no such file.

 

[ActionableMango]

it states that there is no such file.

I hate to ask a possibly insulting question, but you did replace "/path/to/the/offendingfile" with the actual and correct path and filename of the file you want to unlock, right?

 

[derbothaus]

it states that there is no such file.

You can just type "chflags -R nouchg " and then drag the file from the finder.
Make sure you have a space after the "nouchg".
The file is there obviously.

 

[Mr M5]

I hate to ask a possibly insulting question, but you did replace "/path/to/the/offendingfile" with the actual and correct path and filename of the file you want to unlock, right?

yup

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You can just type "chflags -R nouchg " and then drag the file from the finder.
Make sure you have a space after the "nouchg".
The file is there obviously.

it states: permission denied

 

[wallysb01]

yup

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it states: permission denied

try:
sudo chflags -R nouchg

then enter your log in password

You could also open up permissions with chmod 777 /path/to/the/offendingfile. That will let anyone on the computer see, execute and edit the file.

 

[derbothaus]

try:
sudo chflags -R nouchg

then enter your log in password

You could also open up permissions with chmod 777 /path/to/the/offendingfile. That will let anyone on the computer see, execute and edit the file.

Nice Wallysb.
Just quoting myself:
"run it as sudo if it gives you attitude. And maybe make a copy of the file first."
I had reason to try this on a few files stuck on fibre attached today and it was super cool.
chmod 777 doesn't always clear stubborn locks but worth a try if you need to do other things to the file.

PS- I've seen that graphic on T-shirts. Cracked the IS team up. Everyone else just starred off.

 

[wallysb01]

Nice Wallysb.
Just quoting myself:
"run it as sudo if it gives you attitude. And maybe make a copy of the file first."
I had reason to try this on a few files stuck on fibre attached today and it was super cool.
chmod 777 doesn't always clear stubborn locks but worth a try if you need to do other things to the file.

PS- I've seen that graphic on T-shirts. Cracked the IS team up. Everyone else just starred off.

Yeah, I love xkcd comics, I have a shirt with a different comic on it.

Anyway, I just thought I'd type out the full command, the OP maybe didn't know where to put sudo?