Making a folder Read Only

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Level 1

31 points

Making a folder Read Only

I have a folder on my computer with many subfolders. I did a Get Info on the top most folder and applied Read only to the topmost folder and to all enclosed items. Now that I have done this, will this prevent me from accidentally moving, changing, or adding any items to any of these folders?

Thanks!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1), 30" Cinema Display

Posted on Sep 20, 2010 7:00 AM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Sep 20, 2010 7:37 AM in response to kpdesigns

It should but all enclosed items sometimes doesn't :-/
I would check carefully before assuming all are read-only.

-mj

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Answer 2

kpdesigns Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 20, 2010 7:39 AM in response to macjack

There are hundreds of items in the folder, it's a Style Guide from a vendor that I don't want to ever get changed in any way. What's the best way to be sure the Read Only worked?

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Answer 3

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Sep 20, 2010 7:44 AM in response to kpdesigns

Why not just select the folder, choose File -> Get Info, and check the Locked button? That should do what you want, plus it's far safer, as changing permissions for all enclosed items is a great way to destroy the system if you accidentally do it to the wrong folder.

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Answer 4

kpdesigns Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 20, 2010 7:51 AM in response to thomas_r.

I've tried just checking the lock button for the topmost folder and it still allows me to change things. (Maybe the lock button just prevents you from deleting the folder?)

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Sep 20, 2010 8:09 AM in response to kpdesigns

Launch Applications/Utilites/Terminal.
At the prompt type this command...
cd (leave a space and drag your folder into Terminal) it will create the path then press return.
Now use this command
*ls -ale*
This will output all the files in that folder and their permissions.
You can paste it, so we can look or what your looking for is "r" only in the second set of numbers.
EDIT: Don't used the lock button.

-mj

Message was edited by: macjack

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Answer 6

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Sep 20, 2010 8:12 AM in response to kpdesigns

You're right, I didn't test two folders deep... looks like it doesn't apply there, though IMHO it should.

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Answer 7

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 20, 2010 8:16 AM in response to kpdesigns

A better idea would be to make a read-only disk image. Open Disk Utility, select File -> New -> Image from Folder, and select the folder. If you specify read-only for your disk image, it will be exactly that.

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Answer 8

kpdesigns Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 20, 2010 8:22 AM in response to Király

Why is it better to do it as a disk image instead of applying Read Only rights?

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Answer 9

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 20, 2010 9:03 AM in response to kpdesigns

Read only permissions can easily be changed back, and if the folder is sitting inside another folder to which you do have write permission, the whole thing can be deleted.

If you want something more permanent, a disk image is the way to go, IMO.

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Answer 10

kpdesigns Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 20, 2010 9:07 AM in response to Király

Since I already chose Read Only writes for the folders, can I just leave them as Read Only and then make a disk image out of them?

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Answer 11

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 20, 2010 9:25 AM in response to kpdesigns

Yes you can.

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Answer 12

kpdesigns Author

Level 1

31 points

Sep 20, 2010 12:26 PM in response to Király

Just want to confirm that there seems to be two good ways to make files Read Only. I can either do Get Info, choose Read Only, and apply it to all enclosed folders. OR I can create a disk image out of the folder. I'm not positive about which way to go with. I hesitate on the disk image only because you need to mount the image each time you want to look inside of the folder, which could get cumbersome?

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Answer 13

Király

Level 6

10,025 points

Sep 20, 2010 3:15 PM in response to kpdesigns

It could get cumbersome unmounting and mounting the disk image all the time. To get around that, you could just leave it always mounted, if you like.

If you use the permissions approach to making the folder read-only, modifications can still be made by you entering the admin password when prompted. A read-only disk image will mount itself as a read-only filesystem; with all contents completely immutable.

Whatever approach you take will depend on what your specific needs are.

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