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User profile for user: MissingNecessaryPermission
MissingNecessaryPermission Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Operation Can't Be Completed Because You Don't Have the Necessary Permission!

After setting up my new Mac mini M4, I discovered I was unable to create a folder on it. In fact, the New Folder icon is grayed out in the Finder screen when I go to the drive. When I display the Info on the drive, it says i can read only. When i try to change to Read/Write, it says I do not have the necessary permission to do so. Its the only drive in the system and is a 512GB SSD. Im at a loss what to do here. I cant copy anything to it! Any help would be greatly appreciated!


Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Nov 16, 2024 6:32 PM

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User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 7
24,113 points

Posted on Nov 16, 2024 7:12 PM

This is normal behavior with the macOS on an APFS volume. You may not copy files to the root folder of the drive.

Navigate to your Home folder (within the Users folder) and you may write to that or any other folder nested within.


The OS and its files are on a write protected volume on the startup drive. This is to protect against malware that might damage the OS and/or compromise the security of your Mac.


Learn to use the default folders that you have access to or that you can create within your Home folder. Finder is the key to file storage on the Mac. You may also use an external drive for file storage if you like.


Apple provides guidance on file storage on the Mac here: Use the Finder on Mac - Apple Support


You can access the help files for macOS at any time by clicking Finder > Help > macOS Help.

Also see: Mac User Guide - Apple Support


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 7
24,113 points

Nov 16, 2024 7:12 PM in response to MissingNecessaryPermission

This is normal behavior with the macOS on an APFS volume. You may not copy files to the root folder of the drive.

Navigate to your Home folder (within the Users folder) and you may write to that or any other folder nested within.


The OS and its files are on a write protected volume on the startup drive. This is to protect against malware that might damage the OS and/or compromise the security of your Mac.


Learn to use the default folders that you have access to or that you can create within your Home folder. Finder is the key to file storage on the Mac. You may also use an external drive for file storage if you like.


Apple provides guidance on file storage on the Mac here: Use the Finder on Mac - Apple Support


You can access the help files for macOS at any time by clicking Finder > Help > macOS Help.

Also see: Mac User Guide - Apple Support


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Operation Can't Be Completed Because You Don't Have the Necessary Permission!

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