10.5.8 Applications folder permissions problem

Hi all,
I'm running 10.5.8 on a MacPro.
Somewhere between 22 September and the 29 September, something on my computer changed the permissions on my applications folder after doing a apple or software update. (I found out the change using time machine)
They are now
System read & write
wheel Read only
everyone Read only
Because of this I need to enter my password to do any app upgrades, replacements or deletions.
Doing a repair permissions doesn't fix it.
I did a STFW and have done the following
running
ls -Olde@ /Applications
gives me
drwxr-xr-x+ 235 root wheel – 7990 10 Nov 00:54 /Applications
0: group:everyone deny delet
runnning
sudo chmod 775 /Applications
sudo chgrp admin /Applications
This put the Applications folder back to
System read & write
Admin Read & write
everyone Read only
but if I run repair permissions, it will put it back to "wheel read only".
This is starting to give me all sorts of other problems now. Installing a new app will put the wrong groups on the app the give me a few problems till I add Admin to the app.
I don't know what to try now.
Any Ideas?

System read & write
wheel Read only
everyone Read only
There have been a number of reports of this. The cause is still unclear, though an iTunes 10 update has been suspected - see this thread:
*Applications folder owner & permissions*
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2580261
if I run repair permissions, it will put it back to "wheel read only".
I think you are the first to document this, though others have reported that repairing permissions did not fix an already-existing problem. Something must be messed up in the installer receipts.
Somewhere between 22 September and the 29 September, something on my
computer changed the permissions on my applications folder after doing
a apple or software update.
Can you further pin down what else might have changed in your system at this time? You can get a dated history of installed software via System Preferences>Software Update, and Time Machine might give further clues.
In terms of trying to fix it, I guess you could try downloading and re-running the stand-alone versions of any suspect software updates, as well as running the Leopard OS X 10.5.8 combo update.
As things stand though, you have another reason not to run Repair Permissions routinely - you'd have to continue to manually fix /Applications each time afterwards.

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Applications Folder Permissions Problem

I did a maverick clean install.
Everything seemed fine but now a few days later...
I am constantly told I have to authenticate
and this morning if I try and take anything out of app folder
I am told I don't have permission to do this.
suggestions?
can you be a little more specific.What are you doing when it asks to athenticate? For the Applications folder, that is normal, but... what are you moving and to where
For ten years, because I deal with a lot of apps
I have kept folders in my apps folder called:
- Archive (When an app is never getting used but it's not time yet to get rid of it...
the app goes in there.)
- A/V Apps
- Mind Map Apps
- 3rd Party Utilities
- Online Marketing Apps
- Social Networking Apps
However, since installing Mavericks...
If I try and drop an app in any of these folders...
I am not even asked to authenticate.
I am just told I don't have permission to perform this task.
When I get info on these folders...
- Apps Folder: admin R/W
- Archive: admin read only
- A/V Apps: admin read only
- Mind Map Apps: admin read only
- 3rd Party Utilities: admin R/W
- Online Marketing Apps: admin R/W
- Social Networking Apps: admin read only
1. I can't unlock the get info permissions window on any of these folders.
2. If I try to drag an item from one admin R/W folder to another admin R/W folder...
I am told I don't have permission to perform this task.
3. If I drag an item from any of these folders into the Apps folder, no problem.
At this moment, this problem seems isolated to the apps folder.
I can drag and drop without problem everywhere else.
Has the permissions structure of the Apps folder
radically changed with Mavericks?

Your ACLs have gone awry and need to repair your OS X installation. Use the Recovery Mode and reinstall OS X on top of your install and it should correct the errors.
I too have nested folders in my Applications folder and the structure migrated over from Snow Leopard to Mavericks intact. See picture below.
On a day to day basis I use my Mac as a standard user, which does not have permissions to modify the Apllications folder or its contents. However, when I install, move, trash or replace an App, Mavericks prompts me for an Admin user name and password.
When I 'move' an App from one Application nested folder to another, it 'Copies' it after authentication; hence I have to delete the original (once again after authenticating with an Admin name and password).
Now when I am logged into an Administrator account (which I rarely do), I can install, copy, move and delete Apps and folders at will without further authentication.
The above behaviour works as expected. Below is a pic of the permissions of my Applications folder. All enclosed items inherit the same permissions.

Applications Folder permissions errors

I recently used Apple's Migration Assistant when doing a clean install of OS X on my system, and now I am having the following problem:
Whenever I drag an update of an application into my Macintosh HD/Applications folder I get the usual dialog box asking whether I really want to replace the file. After I confirm this action, a second error message appears informing me that I don't have sufficient permissions to complete the action.
I am able to manually move the apps to the trash and then empty the trash.
Any ideas?

On my system if I do a "Get Info" on the Applications folder it shows:
You can: Read & Write
Owner: system
Access: Read & Write
Group: admin
Access: Read & Write
Others: Read only
I've never changed it so I'm assuming those are the correct default permissions. Hope that helps.

Why does my Applications Folder permissions not include me?

Added after posting (please still answer the original ?s if you have time): I just read the post about a similar situation in 2009. So, if I'm the only admin in the admin group, and the admin group has Read & Write access, why do I have to enter my password to make changes and/or why do I get error messages about lack of permissions?
OK. Got a new MacBook Pro. Ported over my stuff from the old one that died a horrible death (the battery was recognized as being installed, but no charge ability, lost all interactions with the internal hard drive and short term memory... worked after I removed the internal hard drive and started up via USB connection... short term memory stayed dead). Well, I'm getting error messages on my new MBP saying I do not have permissions to make changes to some documents and apps (kind of like my previous MBP just before it died so I'm a bit uncomfortable about that). I repaired permissions, no joy. I then changed the Document folder's permissions to make me sole Read & Write access, all others no access. I then changed the Apps folder to just add me with Read & Write access, no changes to existing access (system & admin Read & Write, everyone Read only). I stopped getting the error messages (knock-on-wood!). I just ran permissions repair and my "custom access" has been removed from the Apps folder. I'm fully expecting error messages and want to know why that access is set that way?
Also, my Apps are at the root level, not in my Home folder... is that why? Should I move my apps to my home folder? Nobody else is ever going to use this computer.
Thanks
BTW: please do not answer that I shouldn't change permissions. I am aware of that admonition. However, I bet the admonitor is not getting no-permissions error messages every day...
Message was edited by: John Gruver (OP) to correct spelling and add another/follow-up question

Your application folder is owned by the system. You do not need your user on the application folder. Only 3rd party applications installed by you will possibly have your user id in it.
More likely the problems you had were due to your home folder permissions. If you want to reset your home folder to default permissions, follow this:
Resetting the home folder permissions can resolve problems with your user account on your Mac.
Turn on the Mac whilst holding down cmd + R. You can let go once you see a spinning dial. You will then see the ”Mac OS X Utilities” screen.
On the top menu, click Utilities, then click Terminal.
Type resetpassword and press Enter.
Click on your main hard drive.
In the dropdown box under “Select the user account” make sure to select your username.
Underneath where it says “Reset Home Directory Permissions and ACLs”, click the Reset button.
Press cmd + Q to quit the Reset Password application.
Press cmd + Q again to quit the Terminal.
Press cmd + Q one more time and click Restart.
Click Mac OS X Utilities in the top left of the screen and click the Restart button.

Applications folder - ACLs problem

I had a problem with my Account shortname being misspelled. So I Google for the solution and managed to change it. However the problem now is that anytime I need to update an application in the Applications folder (say Skype e.g. or anything else), upon dragging it I get an error message about not having enough privileges to perform that operation.
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Any idea how to solve this please?

run the following commands in terminal (copy and paste please):
sudo chown -R root:admin /Applications
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Too bad this solution is hard to find... Let's mark it as solved so others can find it easily.
Glad it saved you a clean install!

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Right-click on your main iTunes folder and click Properties, then go to the Security tab and click Advanced. If necessary grant your account and SYSTEM full control of this folder, subfolders and files, then tick the option to replace permissions on child objects which will repair permissions throughout the library. This is the XP dialog but Windows Vista/7 shouldn't be too different.
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tt2

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For some time now, I have noticed that I cannot install an application into the application folder without first removing it from the folder. If I try to install it by dragging the icon to the application folder, I get a warning that the application can't be moved because the folder "Applications" can't be modified. I click on authenticate and enter the root username and password. I am warned that the application already exists in the location. I am asked if I want to replace the item. The options presented are "Keep both files", "Stop", and "Replace". I choose "Replace". I am then prompted for an administrator's name and password. I enter "root" and the root password. I then get this lengthy error message:
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Now if I first remove the application from the Applications folder, then drag the application to the folder, I am prompted for an administrator's name and password. When I enter it, the application is copied successfully.
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When you say, "locked" was already deselected, I take it that you mean the small icon at the bottom right of the Get Info window displayed an open lock picture.
Have you tried locking it, then unlocking it again? I expect you will be able to lock it by simply clicking on the open lock icon, but to unlock it again you will need to supply an Admin password.
Odd that DU didn't fix it. That would be my first thought also. Suggest trying it again, if you haven't already done so.
Speaking of DU, have you verified your HDD?
My Applications folder permissions read -
System          Read and Write
admin           Read and Write
everyone      Read only
Message was edited by: El Deanio

Permissions problems in Applications folder

Recently my Mac has stopped asking for an admin password when I modify things in my Applications folder. The "Allow user to administer this computer" box is NOT checked for my account. I notice a wide variety of owner/group settings for apps in this folder, including myname/myname, myname/admin, myname/wheel, root/admin, root/wheel. "Verify Permissions" does not report any problems. Also, oddly, I can rename Stickies.app (for example) using the Finder, but not using Terminal, which reports "permission denied". I'm concerned that I may have compromised security somewhat... can someone explain what's going on and suggest a fix?

Try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes Finder is slow to adapt to permissions changes.

Applications Folder Problem+Permissions

I just recently had this problem, it showed up today. I can't copy anything to the application folder unless it asks me for my password. When I look on the "Get Info" screen, there's only 2 things, an unknown user which i can't delete and "everyone" which is my access. I try to add myself to it via the plus symbol and the finder crashes.
Is it a security breach?

The correct permissions are
system: read&write
admin: read & write
everyone: read & write
Have you run Repair Permissions from Disk Utility?
-mj
[email protected]

Permissions problems, keep changing and can't save from within application

Hi there, we're running Mavericks server on our local network with a half dozen MBP and iMacs connected.
For a wee while now, our users have been getting permissions problems. Documents (Excel documents, InDesign, Photoshop etc.) are becoming read only and we can't save them to either the same folder from within the application. Even ones that the same user has created. The thing is, we can copy the document to our desktop and then back again to the same folder and continue to edit and save normally.
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Apologies if there's something obvious I'm overlooking.
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Thanks Linc, I have selected the folders that are shared from the Server App "Storage" tab and made sure the permissions are correct and then "propogated" them.
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Permissions oddity in Applications folder

I've noticed two Permissions oddities.
When I attempt to drag a downloaded application into the Applications folder, where it is "replacing" an existing file, an error message appears telling me I have insufficient permissions. I first need to remove the older application (if I'm moving a Folder the move requires me to enter my password - never saw that in Tiger, otherwise the command/delete functions w/o the password prompt) before I can move the new application into the folder (without need for password).
Also, I attempted to "update" an Application via the Internet. The developer attempts to reinstall an undated version, however mid-way an error prompt appears "insufficient permissions".
I looked at a number of Info panels for files in the Applications folder. Some have "System" (root level) and Admin (2nd level) listed, both "read and write". Others have "unknown" listed at the root level>Read and Write. Applications folder lists "System" at the Root Level. My admin account is called "Gemini". No where do I see this name.
Wondering what changes I can safely make in the Permissions (is there a Terminal command?) to eliminate this problem.
thanks

The Applications folder has special permissions set on it so that the preinstalled applications can't be deleted by accounts that otherwise are able to write to it; this only affects items owned by accounts other than yours. After dragging an application to the Applications folder, change its owner to your account from the Get Info window.
If you need to do this and aren't concerned with deleting preinstalled applications, try the following in the Terminal:
sudo chmod a-t /Applications/
(26846)

Big Permissions Problem: "You Cannot Change The Contents Of This Folder"

I installed Tiger some time ago (and need to upgrade now from 10.4.6 to 10.4.9).
I haven't used it much since some of my software will only run under Panther.
In any case, I'm using it now and have been having big permissions/user accounts problems.
I have two users on the computer "robert" and "ra", both with admin privileges (I set up two because I was trying to get around these problems -- I'd be very happy with just one).
I have 10.4.6 installed on an external HD and boot from that into Tiger (I have Tiger on another external HD as a backup, and my main HD in the iMac has 10.3.9 -- that's what I boot from when I need to run older programs).
In any case, both "robert" and "ra" have ADMIN privileges. But I get weird ownership problems. For instance, if I am logged in as "ra" and try to play a Realplayer file streaming from the web (in Firefox 1.x), I get the error
/Users/robert/Desktop/307e6wz7 could not be saved, because you cannot change the contents of that folder.
I check the ownership of the "Desktop" folder -- read/write for "ra".
If I right-click I can save the Realplayer file to the desktop.
Same with other links.
I've also noticed other ownership problems (blocked folders at finder level) but can't duplicate tonight. Is this an obscure error, or is there something amiss in ownership recognition? Is there some way I can sort all out? Login in as "root" and set all right?
Thanks
G4 iMac Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Yes they do. When you installed them you dragged these particular apps to the Applications folder. Doing so automatically attributes the program with the ownership attributes of the account owner who installed them - 'robert.'
Proper application installers install apps under the system/admin ownership. You can try to fix these apps by changing their permissions:
Select the app and CTRL-click to open the contextual menu. Choose Show Package Contents from the contextual menu. Select the Contents folder and press COMMAND-I to open the Get Info window. In the Ownership and Permissions section click on the tiny arrow icon to expose the panel. Click on the little lock icon to authenticate. Change permissions as follows:
Owner = system with Read/Write privileges
Group = admin with Read/Write privileges
Other with Read-Only privileges
Click on the Apply To Enclosed Items button. Close the lock by clicking again on the lock icon.

Problems with copying applications to Applications folder

Hi all,
I'm facing serious issue's with Mavericks.
I'm a in-house developer, and I made a few apps that are bing used in process.
A few weeks ago I made an 'autoUpdater'. This checks a windows fileshare for any updates. If there are updates, it will copy this file to the /Applications folder.
Now the thing is, the current logged in user, which runs the autoUpdater, is able to run all applications which has been installed/copied.
When they log out, and another user logs in, all those applications show up as Zero Bytes, And seems damaged or incomplete.
However, when I copy the 'damaged' app to the users desktop, its working again.
Back to the 'original' user, the app is fine in /Applications.
Even after running Disk Utility from boot usb, to repair permissions, problem is not solved.
chmod 0775 on the application, does not work
chown root:staff on the application does not work
touch application, does not work
all these things combined, still not working for the newer users that login.
I've also done all this manually, and it does not solve the issue.
Anyone have any idea's ?

Hi LexSchellings,
installing applications I do for all users.
The problem goes when I'm copying .app files to /Applications.
If I do it from my 'autoUpdater' application, or manually, it does not work.
There is an little application called 'Permissions Reset', which actually fixed the problem, but I have to do that manually, I need to do this by terminal commands, because I'm talking about updating a small application for 1500+ desktop / laptops and they never are all on ;-)
My application checks for new updates when they boot up.

"Appy permissions to enclosed" to the Applications Folder...

..now permissions repair takes around 4 hours to complete as I get "ACL found but not expected" on every file under my applications folder.
Please, how can I take this back? Also, it would be nice to have permissions to remove apps, as it is my machine and my account is an admin.

glad to have helped m8

10.5.8 Applications folder permissions problem

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