Need owner permissions for root folder

Question

Actually i'm trying to copy some business purpose files into root folder but it's not allowing to access the root folder. When i'm trying to change the permissions of the folder, its showing that you are not the owner so that you cant change the permissions of this directory. Please help me..

Solution 1

Hmm... instead of explaining how to change permissions on the root folder I'll just say "you should not copy business-purpose files anywhere outside your home folder"

Your home folder is for your files. Folders outside your home folder are for system files. Changing permissions of those folders is not considered a good practice.

Having said that, if you still want to copy files, you can do this by starting file manager in superuser mode by pressing Alt-F2 and typing gksu nautilus.

It'll ask you for your administrative password, after which you'll be able to copy files.

Solution 2

You should not, IMO, be changing ownership or permissions on system file, including /root.

If you need to copy files to /root use sudo or gksu

sudo cp file /root

gksu nautilus

See:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FilePermissions

Comments

[mikewhatever]

I'd think twice before trying to change permissions outside the home folder. More often then not, it will break things, and you don't need to do it to copy files. askubuntu.com/questions/29181/…

[Nitin Venkatesh]

It is not advised to change the ownership of the root filesystem itself(not sure if you can do that). You could create a directory and put the files inside that, instead of the root filesystem and share the directory if need be. Anyways, if you are still insisting that it needs to be done, try sudo cp <filename-to-be-copied> / You could also type gksudo nautilus to open the file browser and copy the file with a graphical interface. If you absolutely need to change the permissions, take a look at askubuntu.com/questions/6723/…

[Scott Stookey]

I should also add that if you are asking this question, then you probably shouldnt be changing any files or folders that require root permissions and that you should ask your sys admin to help you with the situation

[mikewhatever]

Why would you chmod /etc/passwd??

[Scott Stookey]

Just a file off the top of my head. Used for example

[V Pranaya Theja]

Wow its working.. Thanku so much for the speed responce and help..