You can set file permissions in Ubuntu if you want to control who can view, edit and delete folder content. This can be done using file permissions property dialog box.
To set file permissions, right-click a file or folder and select Properties. When the dialog box opens, select the Permissions tab.
When you create a file or folder in Ubuntu, you automatically becomes the owner with full access. This means you can create more files/folders inside that folder, you can delete everything in it, including the original folder.
If you don’t want to accidentally change or delete a file, give yourself a read-only permission. Do the same with folders by giving yourself Access files permission.
In Ubuntu, every user belongs to a group. Whenever you create a new user, a group with the user name is also created for the user and the user added to it.
Permissions can also be managed based on groups. If you only want certain groups to have access to a particular file or folder, set the group permission for the resource.
Types of access you can set for files and folders
These are the types of access you can set for files and folders in Ubuntu.
- None — If you set access to None, a user will not be able to see the files in the folder
- List files only – If you set this permission for file or folder, a user will be able to view files in the folder, but won’t be allowed to open, edit or delete them.
- Access files – If you set this permission on a file or folder, a user will be able to view and open the content of the folder, but won’t be allowed to create new ones or delete current files.
- Create and delete files – As the name said, if you set this permission on a file or folder, a user will have full access. Will be able to read, edit, delete and create new files and folders.
The above are types of permissions you can set for files and folders in Ubuntu.
For more granular approach, click the button that reads “Change Permissions for Enclosed Files…”
There you’ll be able to set different permission levels for files and folders as seen the image below.
Hope this helps and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set file permissions in Ubuntu Linux?
To set file permissions in Ubuntu, right-click on the file or folder, select Properties, then go to the Permissions tab to configure who can view, edit, or delete the content.
What happens when I set a file to read-only permission in Ubuntu?
Setting a file to read-only permission in Ubuntu means that you can view the file but cannot make any changes to it, ensuring that the file remains intact and cannot be accidentally edited or deleted.
How can I give myself 'Access files' permission for folders in Ubuntu?
To give yourself 'Access files' permission for folders in Ubuntu, you can set the permission to allow viewing and opening the content of the folder, but restrict the ability to create new files or delete existing ones.
What types of access can be set for files and folders in Ubuntu?
In Ubuntu, you can set different types of access permissions including None (no access), List files only (view but not edit), and Access files (view and open but not create or delete).
How are file permissions managed based on groups in Ubuntu?
In Ubuntu, file permissions can be managed based on groups, allowing you to specify which groups have access to a particular file or folder by setting group permissions for the specific resource.
What happens when a new user is created in Ubuntu?
When a new user is created in Ubuntu, a group with the user's name is also created automatically, and the user is added to that group. This group association enables managing permissions based on user groups.
How can I control access to a specific file or folder in Ubuntu?
To control access to a specific file or folder in Ubuntu, set permissions for the file/folder to restrict or allow viewing, editing, and deletion based on individual user permissions or group permissions.
Why is it important to manage file and folder permissions in Ubuntu?
Managing file and folder permissions in Ubuntu is crucial for controlling who can access, modify, or delete sensitive data, ensuring data security, preventing accidental changes, and maintaining the integrity of files and folders.