Removing Read Only

crazyivan · crazyivan #1 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 12:13 PM

So I just got my new MacBook on Wednesday. I absolutely love it so far, and am in the process of moving my files from my PC on over to the MB. I tried to do the whole network connect thing, but I think my old computer hated me enough to prevent it from happening. So I have resorted to backing up all of my important stuff on to DVD's and transferring them over the "old fashioned" way.

It's actually been pretty smooth sailing so far, until I went to open one of my documents last night and noticed it was read only. (I'm using Office 2004, btw.) No biggie, as I figured out how to just remove the read only security setting with "Get Info". However, I have almost 1200 documents, and it would be... well... a real pain in the buttocks to have to go through and change every single one individually from "read only" to "read and write".

Is there a way to batch change the security settings on files? I would love to be able to just change the main folder and have all of the files in the folder update as well, but I couldn't figure out how to do it.

Any advice?

MacHeadCase · MacHeadCase #2 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 01:48 PM

Just click on the folder that contains all the files and click on Apply to enclosed items at the bottom of the Get Info window.

crazyivan · crazyivan #3 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 01:51 PM

Are you kidding me?
It's that easy?

I didn't even notice that button last night. I'll have to try it when I get home. Crikey... I spent a good 20 minutes this morning just working on one folder...

Thanks for the tip!

MacHeadCase · MacHeadCase #4 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 01:58 PM

No prob, glad I could help. And yes it is that easy! :girl:

If your files aren't in the same folder just create a new folder with all of them inside it. Then apply this trick. Then you can replace them however you like on your Mac.

mac57 · mac57 #5 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 02:32 PM

Another solution is to start up Terminal. cd to the folder in question, and enter the following command:

chmod +w *

This adds write access (the "+w") to all files (the "*").

Repeat per folder you need to do. This is actually pretty flexible. For example, if you only wanted to modify the .mpg files but not the .avi files (silly example I know, but works for this illustration), use this form of the command instead:

chmod +w *.mpg

rman · rman #6 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 02:42 PM

for folder and all that is under it:

chmod -R +w *

crazyivan · crazyivan #7 (**permalink**)

01-05-2007, 04:38 PM

Well hot diggity!
Thanks to everyone for responding!

I'm feeling even better now about leaving the PC world.

Cheers!

mac57 #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 29, 2006 Location: St. Somewhere Posts: 4,547 Mac Specs: PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, 4 Core, 120 GB SSD, 500 GB HDD	01-05-2007, 02:32 PM Another solution is to start up Terminal. cd to the folder in question, and enter the following command: chmod +w * This adds write access (the "+w") to all files (the ""). Repeat per folder you need to do. This is actually pretty flexible. For example, if you only wanted to modify the .mpg files but not the .avi files (silly example I know, but works for this illustration), use this form of the command instead: chmod +w .mpg My Macs: PowerMac G5 Quad, 2.5 GHz, 4 Core, Mac Pro, 3.2 GHz 8 Core, Power Macintosh 7500/100 My iStuff: 32 GB iPhone 4, 30 GB iPod Video, 16 GB iPod Touch My OS': Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS X Snow Leopard, Mac OS X Leopard, Mac OS 8.6, openSUSE 10.3, Win XP I was on the Mac-Forums honor roll for September 2007
	QUOTE Thanks

rman #6 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Dec 24, 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 12,591 Mac Specs: 2 x 3.0GHz Quad-Core, 6GB OS X 10.6.8 \| 15in MacBook Pro 2.2GHz OS X 10.6.8 \| 64GB iPad 2 WiFi	01-05-2007, 02:42 PM for folder and all that is under it: chmod -R +w * Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain!
	QUOTE Thanks

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crazyivan #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 13 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.0 GhZ, Black	01-05-2007, 12:13 PM So I just got my new MacBook on Wednesday. I absolutely love it so far, and am in the process of moving my files from my PC on over to the MB. I tried to do the whole network connect thing, but I think my old computer hated me enough to prevent it from happening. So I have resorted to backing up all of my important stuff on to DVD's and transferring them over the "old fashioned" way. It's actually been pretty smooth sailing so far, until I went to open one of my documents last night and noticed it was read only. (I'm using Office 2004, btw.) No biggie, as I figured out how to just remove the read only security setting with "Get Info". However, I have almost 1200 documents, and it would be... well... a real pain in the buttocks to have to go through and change every single one individually from "read only" to "read and write". Is there a way to batch change the security settings on files? I would love to be able to just change the main folder and have all of the files in the folder update as well, but I couldn't figure out how to do it. Any advice?
	QUOTE Thanks

MacHeadCase #2 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	01-05-2007, 01:48 PM Just click on the folder that contains all the files and click on Apply to enclosed items at the bottom of the Get Info window.
	QUOTE Thanks

MacHeadCase #4 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	01-05-2007, 01:58 PM No prob, glad I could help. And yes it is that easy! :girl: If your files aren't in the same folder just create a new folder with all of them inside it. Then apply this trick. Then you can replace them however you like on your Mac.
	QUOTE Thanks

crazyivan #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 29, 2006 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 13 Mac Specs: MacBook 2.0 GhZ, Black	01-05-2007, 04:38 PM Well hot diggity! Thanks to everyone for responding! I'm feeling even better now about leaving the PC world. Cheers!
	QUOTE Thanks

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