Unable to access files, with error "Permission Denied" on MacBook with macOS Sonoma

J. D. Atemlos wrote:

Since the installation of macOS Sonoma, I've been experiencing lots of issues in opening or accessing files on the vast majority of disk directories and folders. To be short, when trying to open most files, macOS displays an error message stating that I do not have permissions to access/open them. This happens randomly. I'm forced to move almost every file to the Desktop, where - apparently• - this issue is not happening (please note that, recently, I was denied access to a PDF file even in that folder).

The following apps are installed on my MacBook Pro (incomplete list):

Avira

• Dropbox

• Acronis Cyber Protect (currently disabled)

Please note that Avira has never caused problems with access permissions.

At least until possibly now anyway.

Even though you may have disabled Acronis Cyber Protect, it is possible it already did something to those files or the system which keeps affecting them even though the app is not currently running. You really should uninstall both of these apps by following the developers' instructions, then confirm all of their low level extensions are really gone from the bowels of macOS. Even then, like I said, some modifications they made may still exist long after they have been completely uninstalled.

Unless your school or employer requires you to have some sort of anti-virus or security software installed, there is no reason to use them on a Mac. These types of apps usually cause more problems than they solve since they interfere with the normal operation of macOS.

Have you tried to fix folder preferences via the Finder > Get Info dialog (the example is a fresh folder in my Desktop)?

...I'd uninstall Avira. 3rd party virus apps are pain with no gain...

I have exactly the same issue. My MacBook is about a month old and it has just started with this infuriating "Permission Denied" error.

I have zero 3rd party apps installed, and never have. I am the only user (admin permission), all folders were created by me. "Get Info" shows I have R&W access to all the affected folders.

My role doesn't allow me the time to mess around moving files to the desktop and thence into the "Permission Denied" folders.

What gives? And, more importantly, what is Apple's robust solution?

I tried changing permissions in the Get Info box and thought it worked momentarily, but the next time I tried to call up a file or save one to the drive, I got the same "Permission denied" message.