Change the permission of multiple files using the GUI

Question

I am looking for a way to change the permission of multiple files using the GUI. I tried to select all the files and hit show info in the right click context menu, but this opens multiple dialogs where I have to enter my admin password and then change the permission.

Is there an easier way to accomplish this task?

Answer 1

You can use Finder to change multiple files permissions. Command+Option+i will open the Multiple Item Info panel that should set the permissions for all files that have been selected (it also gives you total file size, and lets set label colors too).

Otherwise you can select the folder the files you want to change are in, and use the regular get info window to set permissions on all containing files.

Answer 2

Checkout BatChmod a free utility for changing file permissions. You can select a folder that contains the files you’re interested in, make the changes and apply those changes to all of the files in the folder.

Answer 3

The Finder isnt able to natively change permissions of multiple selected files.

There is a 3rd party file manager application called Folklift2 which does have the ability to do this (amongst other things). It's $29.95, but probably worth every cent if you need to do this often.

If you want instructions on how to do this via the command line for free, let me know in the comments :)

[Edit: I was wrong, it is possible - see answer from @Nilloc]