Don’t have permission to delete folder?

[LarryJoe33]

I have a very old folder on a backup drive (1998) that I am trying to delete but it says I don’t have permission? All the files in the folder give me the same result. Any power moves here?

 

[LarryJoe33]

Never mind, figured it out. Right click, get info, uncheck "Locked". Each file one by one, I am sure there was a better way.

 

[Fishrrman]

"Each file one by one, I am sure there was a better way."

There IS "a better way".

1. Mount backup drive on desktop (icon only, don't open it)
2. Type command-i (eye) to bring up get info
3. Click lock at bottom of get info and enter password
4. In "sharing and permissions", put a check into box "ignore ownership on this volume"
5. Close info.
6. Try deleting folder now.

 

[LarryJoe33]

"Each file one by one, I am sure there was a better way."

There IS "a better way".

1. Mount backup drive on desktop (icon only, don't open it)
2. Type command-i (eye) to bring up get info
3. Click lock at bottom of get info and enter password
4. In "sharing and permissions", put a check into box "ignore ownership on this volume"
5. Close info.
6. Try deleting folder now.

Thanks! I'll keep this for the future.

EDIT: What if it's a folder on my Mac? Is there a way to do this for all the files in it? I just tried what you suggested but on a folder and it wasn't the same?

 

[Crash0veride]

Terminal way is not "easy" but works recursively if you use the -R option.

chmod -R +rw mydir

replace mydir with the absolute path of the folder you want to change (if you drag the folder into the terminal window it will automatically insert it's path into your prompt)

You can also click the cog in the "get info" windows under "sharing and permissions" and click "apply to enclosed items..."

 

[LarryJoe33]

Terminal way is not "easy" but works recursively if you use the -R option.

chmod -R +rw mydir

replace mydir with the absolute path of the folder you want to change (if you drag the folder into the terminal window it will automatically insert it's path into your prompt)

You can also click the cog in the "get info" windows under "sharing and permissions" and click "apply to enclosed items..."

Awesome, thanks!