Level 1

13 points

Unable to delete files - permission access denied

Greetings,

I am trying to delete files & folders from a second internal hard drive used for data only, but I am unable to complete the task as first I have to enter my password, then I get the error message 'The operation can't be completed because you don't have permission to access some of the items.'

Getting Info for that drive and folders indicates that I have Read & Write permissions. I even re-applied the permissions using the drop down gear. I have restarted the workstation as well. No luck.

I ran the disc utility application to Verify Disc, which returned a message the the disc was good. Verify or Repair Disc Permissions were greyed out, which I believe they are supposed to be.

Any thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks, Scott

Posted on Jul 25, 2012 6:35 PM

32 replies

Scotttt Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 27, 2012 6:44 AM in response to Linc Davis

Hey Linc, first of all I would like to thank you for your effort as it goes above and beyond the call of duty. AFA Mac utilities, I don't use them, and believe you are correct in that regard. I have given some thought as to how this could have happened and have the following ideas: shortly after loading Lion I had some problem with my user account. I worked with Apple to resolve it, and a new user was setup. Another possiblilty is that I have a duel boot for some of the software I run due to compatibility issues. It could also be related to that as I see the text string 'drwxrwxrwx+ 62 buldog1 ' in my post above that is an old user name. Buldog1 appears in the Get Info>Permissions list for the bad folder, however that user cannot be deleted there as the minus sign is greyed out. I have again performed the chmod and chflags commands in that order and I am still unable to delete the bad folder. Thank you again.

Scotttt Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 27, 2012 8:24 AM in response to Linc Davis

Still cannot delete. Here is the command as run:

scotts-mac-pro:~ scottbulmer$ sudo chown -R $UID /Volumes/Data\ HD\ 2/Z\ Photos\ Copied\ From\ XP-G/Portfollio\ for\ WEB

Password:

scotts-mac-pro:~ scottxxxx$

Scottxxxx is the user/administrator.

Scotttt Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 27, 2012 9:21 AM in response to Linc Davis

At this point that sounds like the best option. The volume has about 690GB so that may take some time to move things around, so I will have to do it over the weekend.

I can't thank you enough for your persistance and interest in helping me try to fix this stubborn issue. I will post an update next week after I clean the volume. Thanks! Scott

Aug 11, 2017 11:45 AM in response to Scotttt

Can someone please repost the initial commands, I am having this issue with what appears to be backups of old system files on my internal drive and they are eating up over 500 gigs but I am unable to delete them:

The operation can’t be completed because you don’t have permission to access some of the items.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 6:20 AM in response to Scotttt

You didn't press the space bar. Please try again.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 7:04 AM in response to Scotttt

Is there any particular reason why you put ACL's on those files, or why the ACL's shouldn't be removed?

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Scotttt

You have yet one more complication: some of your files are locked.

Enter the following command in the same way as above:

sudo chflags -R nouchg,nouappnd !$

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 12:00 PM in response to Scotttt

Yes.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 1:24 PM in response to Scotttt

It will affect only that folder and its contents.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 2:11 PM in response to Scotttt

As I wrote earlier, your password won't be displayed when you enter it.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 2:43 PM in response to Scotttt

OK, so now you've unlocked the files, but have you removed the ACL's as advised earlier?

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 5:01 PM in response to Scotttt

Please run the command in my first message two more times, this time using as input each of the two folders mentioned in the error messages above.

Scotttt Author

Level 1

13 points

Jul 26, 2012 5:35 PM in response to Linc Davis

Good news, one of the folders could be deleted after running '

chmod -R -N !$'.

The other sub-folder will not delete after re-performing every task in order listed in this posting.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 26, 2012 6:27 PM in response to Scotttt

That's not the command in my first message.

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,739 points

Jul 27, 2012 7:43 AM in response to Scotttt

I assumed that "buldog1" was you. If that's not the case, then apply this command to the files, using the space bar and drag-and-drop as before:

sudo chown -R $UID

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Unable to delete files - permission access denied