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Fix Permission Denied Errors for Word Files Moved to a New Mac
Question details
Users are unable to open Word documents transferred from an older Mac on a new Mac due to macOS displaying a permission-denied error.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Opening Word documents copied from a previous Mac device onto a new Mac running Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- macOS displays a permission-denied error, blocking Microsoft Word from opening the transferred documents due to incorrect file ownership.
Ensure you have the administrator password for your new Mac ready, as modifying file permissions requires administrative privileges.
Update Folder Sharing & Permissions in Finder
Adjusting the folder permissions ensures your current user account on the new Mac has full read and write access to the transferred Word files.
When files are copied from an older Mac, they often retain the ownership settings of the original user account. You must grant your new account explicit permission to interact with them.
Open Finder and navigate to the folder containing the transferred Word documents.
Right-click (or Control-click) the folder and select 'Get Info' from the context menu.
Scroll down to the 'Sharing & Permissions' section. Click the padlock icon at the bottom right and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings.
Find your current user account in the name column and change its Privilege to 'Read & Write'.
Click the action menu (the gear icon or circle with three dots) at the bottom, and select 'Apply to enclosed items' so the new permissions are pushed to all Word documents inside.
Update macOS and Microsoft 365
Sometimes underlying software bugs in the operating system or the Office application can trigger false permission errors.
Experience Seamless Document Editing on Mac with WPS Office
If you are tired of Microsoft 365 compatibility glitches or persistent subscription prompts on your new Mac, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to manage all your Word documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office for Mac: Visit the official WPS website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the application: Open the downloaded installer and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open your Word documents: Launch WPS Office and easily open or edit your transferred .docx files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do transferred files show a permission denied error on a new Mac?
When files are copied from an older Mac, they often retain the ownership and permission rules of the original user profile. Your new Mac's user account may not automatically have the rights to read or modify them until you explicitly adjust the folder's Sharing & Permissions settings.
Can I change permissions for a single Word document instead of an entire folder?
Yes. You can right-click the specific Word document, choose 'Get Info', unlock the Sharing & Permissions section using your admin password, and change your user account's privilege to 'Read & Write' for that specific file.
What should I do if the 'Apply to enclosed items' option is grayed out?
This usually happens if you haven't clicked the padlock icon at the bottom right of the Get Info window and authenticated with your Mac administrator password. Ensure the padlock is in the unlocked position before trying to apply changes to enclosed items.
Does updating macOS fix file permission errors?
While permission errors are primarily related to user account privileges, occasionally bugs within macOS or Microsoft Office can trigger similar access issues. Updating your software ensures these glitches are patched.
