Have you ever ever wished to guard a file or folder from both being modified or deleted by anybody who might need entry to your account on a MacOS system?
As an illustration, you might need a folder that comprises a number of vital paperwork (reminiscent of tax data, the deed to your own home, W2s, 1099s, or your will). In fact, when you’ve gotten these sorts of delicate paperwork, you’d need them saved extra securely than inside a locked file. But when the recordsdata are much less delicate but you continue to don’t need anybody monkeying with them, MacOS Finder has a function that may enable you to out.
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The function successfully locks and protects a file or folder from being modified or deleted. As soon as a file or folder is locked, the one means it may be deleted is after authenticating along with your password. If a file is locked, it can’t be modified with out first unlocking it.
OK, you may end up shrugging your shoulders — and I get it. However Apple did not create this function with safety in thoughts. As an alternative, it is a means so as to add a hurdle or to thwart you or anybody from unintentionally deleting or modifying a file you do not wish to change. That does not imply you’ll be able to’t get across the lock. You’ll be able to, and it is really fairly straightforward.
For instance. you’ve got created a brand new presentation or video and it is finalized. You have not both despatched or printed the file, so that you wish to be sure to do not unintentionally change it or delete it earlier than it is time to take action. If you attempt to transfer a locked file to the trash, Finder will warn you that it is locked and ask you if you wish to proceed.
Think about how that may prevent from a catastrophe of your individual making.
That is the place locking recordsdata is useful. Belief me, I have been in conditions the place I unwittingly trashed a file I nonetheless wanted. Had that file been locked, Finder would have prevented it from taking place.
lock a file or folder in MacOS Finder
What you may want: The one belongings you’ll want for this are a MacOS system (both MacBook or iMac) and a folder or file to lock. I might counsel utilizing a check file or folder first to be sure to perceive the way it works.
The very first thing to do is open Finder and navigate to the file or folder you wish to lock. As I discussed, you may wish to create a check folder and add a couple of empty recordsdata or folders to it till you understand how this function works.
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To open the Information window, right-click (or double-finger faucet) the file or folder in query and choose Get Information. This can open the Information pop-up for the file or folder in query.
Below the Normal part, you may see a checkbox for Locked. Click on that checkbox to lock the file or folder. As soon as you’ve got performed that, the file or folder in query is now locked. You may see a small lock icon on the folder or file. When you see that lock, you’ll be able to’t add recordsdata to the folder, edit particular person recordsdata or these inside the folder, or delete the file or folder with out first verifying that you just really do wish to delete it.
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If you wish to take away the lock on the file or folder, merely reverse the method and uncheck the field for Locked.
The MacOS lock function has saved me, on a number of events, from unintentionally deleting or enhancing one thing I wanted to stay as-is. Though it is not supposed for use as a safety mechanism, it is a helpful addition that may prevent from your self.