"The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items" when trying to move folders

Question

Level 1

8 points

"The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items" when trying to move folders

I've just signed up for iCloud storage after finally giving up with OneDrive and it's woeful performance/operation, however when I try to drag folders from my one drive folder to My Documents, I get the "The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items" error.

I've gone to Get Info, unlocked the files and clicked on the settings cog icon to apply to enclosed items, but I still cannot copy the folders. I keep all of my work in the One Drive folder, so thousands of files and folders, as well as my photo library, iTunes etc. I realise I may have an issue copying my photo library as that is some 75 GB (too large for iCloud from what I have seen for a single file), but I really can't be going into each folder and unlocking every one and then every file individually, that would take weeks.

I did manage to delete the contents of a duplicated folder by going into each folder and unlocking each folder inside, but I still can't delete the folders themselves as I get the same "The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items" error.

Any help would be much appreciated as this is driving me nuts, and I've spent another 2 hours trying to unpick something that just shouldn't happen. I don't use networked drives are shared folders, it's just my MacBook Pro that no one else has access to.

I do hope some one can help please?

MacBook Pro 15" (2019), OS X Mojave

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Aug 31, 2023 2:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

bryanr14

Community Specialist

Sep 1, 2023 12:35 PM in response to weweredemons

Hi weweredemons,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. Based on the error message you provided, it seems like you may need to change the permission for the user account on your Mac to Read & Write. This is a step that may allow you to make changes. Here's how:

Change permissions for files, folders, or disks on Mac

Permission settings determine who can view and alter files on the computer. You change permission settings at the bottom of the Info window for a file, folder, or disk in the Finder. For example, you can change permission settings for a folder so that other users who log in to your Mac, or connect to it for file sharing, can view but not change files in a folder.

Assign permissions to users and groups

1. On your Mac, select a disk, folder, or file, then choose File > Get Info.

2. If the information in Sharing & Permissions isn’t visible, click the disclosure triangle.

3. If necessary, click the lock icon to unlock it, then enter an administrator name and password (or, if your Mac has Touch ID, use Touch ID).

4. Click a user or group in the Name column, then choose a privilege setting from the pop-up menu.

* Read & Write: Allows a user to open the item and change it.

* Read Only: Allows a user to open the item, but not change its contents.

* Write Only: Makes a folder into a drop box. Users can copy items to the drop box, but can’t open it.

Only the owner of the drop box can open it.

* No Access: Blocks all access to the item.

You can undo any changes to privilege settings for a user or group in the Sharing & Permissions section since opening the Info window. Before closing the Info window, click the Action pop-up menu , then choose “Revert changes.”

Apply permissions to all items in a folder or a disk

1. On your Mac, select a folder or a disk, then choose File > Get Info.

2. Click the lock icon to unlock it, then enter an administrator name and password (or, if your Mac has Touch ID, use Touch ID).

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

Following these steps may help and is outlined in this article: Change permissions for files, folders, or disks on Mac - Apple Support

Kind regards.

Reply