Catalina won't allow me to install anything. Just creates alias's.

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Level 1

11 points

Catalina won't allow me to install anything. Just creates alias's.

Sorry if this was asked before. Anyway, just got a new iMac and running Catalina and have to say I'm about ready to scream! How the **** do you install software on here? I've already had to use the terminal command to show in System Preferences the "allow apps downloaded from anywhere" to show? But even that still isn't working, even after a reboot.

What I've done:

Downloaded Affinity Photo

Get the .dmg folder

Open that and drag the application to "applications" folder

When I look in there it's created an alias and is pointing to the file that is in the .dmg

Same with other apps. Maybe I'm just not "with it" haven't had a new OS in a long time!!

Thanks in advance!

Posted on Apr 10, 2020 5:37 PM

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Answer 1

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Jeff10960 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 11, 2020 9:20 AM in response to Jeff10960

OK, it was something fairly simple. Followed this. UGH. Thanks though Cheetaux!!!

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-permissions-for-files-folders-or-disks-mchlp1203/mac

Had to do this.

Click the Action pop-up menu , then choose “Apply to enclosed items.”

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Answer 2

Jeff10960 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 11, 2020 9:07 AM in response to Cheetaux

Thanks for trying to help.

Here's the .dmg file I downloaded

Open it and drag the application icon to Applications

Now when I open Applications it's an "alias" of Firefox it hasn't been installed its just pointing to the file in the .dmg folder see where it says alias 2kb?

It's probably going to turn out something simple that I've completely overlooked!!

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Answer 3

Jeff10960 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 10, 2020 5:52 PM in response to Cheetaux

I'm not. I open the .dmg file, within that is the application, drag that icon to applications and it looks like its installing but when I open the finder window it's an alias. If I eject the .dmg file I lose the software as there is only an "alias" still save in the applications folder. Hope that's clearer. Thanks!!

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Answer 4

Cheetaux

Level 1

90 points

Apr 11, 2020 8:43 AM in response to Jeff10960

I'm not sure I understand what's going on. If possible, can you double click on the .dmg file and take a screen capture (you can use Shift-Cmd-4 to create cross-hairs for selecting the capture region) of what you dragging to the applications folder and post the screen capture here.

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Answer 5

May 6, 2020 3:19 AM in response to Jeff10960

I am getting the same problems as you. What file did you change permissions on , was it the downloads folder, or .dmg, etc? I am also not seeing any 'Apply to enclosed items' option. Can you or anyone help please, this is becoming very frustrating!!

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