Permissions problem on brand new Sequoia iMac

Hi there, I have a brand new iMac MacBook running Sequoia 15.5. I wanted a clean start so rather than setting it up with a back up of my old machine (a beloved 27 inch iMac) I am installing the software I need and then transferring over my files. All was going well but I can't get permission to make any changes to my files and documents. I am trying to use Adobe Bridge, Photoshop, Avid MC and Microsoft Word. I have added all of these apps to the Full Disc Access box and when I look at the 'get info' on each file it says 'read and write'. Where have I gone wrong?

iMac 24″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Dec 29, 2025 5:06 AM

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,294 points

Posted on Dec 30, 2025 6:56 AM

Sue Daly wrote:

The files I'm using are ones I transferred from my external drive where I have everything backed up.

If your external drive is not Time Machine drive ... and it just has files you created on your old Mac ... then it sounds like the permissions on the files do not allow access or writing under your new user account on your new iMac.

In the Finder, select one of the troublesome files (an image, a document, etc.) and do GetInfo (CMD-I or File > Get Info). In the GetInfo window, scroll down to "Sharing and Permissions." If it does not say "You can read and write" ... and/or the entry for "Me" says "Read Only" or "No Access" then you have a permissions mismatch and that's why you cannot edit/save those files. The mismatch would occur for files created by the user account on your old Mac but now you are attempting to use them in your new user account on your new iMac. There IS a way to fix it, but first let's find out if that's what's going on.

Here is a screenshot of the Sharing & Permissions panel:

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20 replies

HWTech

Level 9

69,128 points

Dec 29, 2025 11:18 AM in response to Sue Daly

Sue Daly wrote:

The software is all up to date as I have them on subscription eg Photoshop 2026 and have only just downloaded them onto my new iMac. I can open the files but I can't make any changes eg Microsoft Word says you can only view this document

With software that requires subscriptions & activation, then you need to make sure those apps are still activated....many times that requires a live Internet connection.

I see MS Office lose its activation status at times...could be caused by a macOS update patch, or an update patch to the app, losing a connection to the Internet and/or to the Microsoft/Adobe website, or who knows what else. Typically in MS Office, there will be a very think (usually pink) bar near the top of the app window saying something about needing activated or needing to be logged into your MS account. This warning notice bar can be very easy to overlook.

Also, how you are restoring the files can be an issue. What are the source of these data files and how are you transferring them to this Mac?

And did you actually download & install the most recent versions of these apps, or did you try to move them as well?

Sue Daly Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 29, 2025 11:35 AM in response to HWTech

I downloaded the apps from the proper Microsoft/Adobe websites, they are activated and they are all working fine but just not allowing any changes to any of the files or, in the case of Microsoft Word, not even letting me edit any of the documents. I'll attach the notice I get from Photoshop when I try to save a file. In Adobe Bridge (which I use to manage files) it's opening files OK but not allowing me to move or delete any.

The files I'm using are ones I transferred from my external drive where I have everything backed up. I wanted to do a manual clean install on my new system because it is much smaller than my old Mac, and I thought it would be a good chance to get rid of old bits of software as well as sort out my files. (I'm a photographer and graphic designer and do a bit of film editing on Avid.)