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How do I mark a file as executable using a graphical interface (GUI)?

3 Answers 3

11

Simple Permissions Tab (default)

First, right click on your file and choose 'Properties'.

enter image description here

Switch to the 'Permissions' tab and then simply check the box that says 'Allow executing file as program'.

enter image description here

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  • Very good! I miss that simple layout in my system... sometimes... Apr 16, 2011 at 23:56
  • @GeppettvsD'Constanzo: I prefer the advanced one for the control it gives
    – RolandiXor
    Apr 17, 2011 at 12:49
  • You can get Tommy's permissions dialog with gconftool --set "/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_advanced_permissions" --type=boolean false
    – idbrii
    May 6, 2011 at 18:07
  • @pydave - Brilliant. Thanks very much for the gconftool heads up.
    – boehj
    May 6, 2011 at 18:16
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Advanced Permissions Tab

Just right click the file, choose "Properties" (at the very bottom), click in the "Permissions" Tab and add the executable option to the file, which may differ from this in the screenshot in a certain cases.

enter image description here

Sometimes I have found a "Make this file executable" option in certain kind of files.

You should be the owner of the file in order to perform this without a hassle. Take a look at this in order to change file/folder ownership: General Rules for dealing with File Permissions

Good luck!

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  • 1
    If you are in Ubuntu 10.10, that permissions tab would look like this: i.imgur.com/JfV5H.png Apr 16, 2011 at 16:08
  • It is weird. I am on Ubuntu 10.10 and my permissions tab looks like I have placed in the screenshot. Thank you anyway. Apr 16, 2011 at 17:04
  • @Tommy Just make that a separate answer that way we have them both up front! Apr 16, 2011 at 20:49
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    How your permissions tab looks depends on a gconf key; Tommy's screenshot shows the default, simple variant for "normal" end users, Geppettvs's screenshot shows the "technical" variant for advanced users.
    – JanC
    Apr 16, 2011 at 21:27
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    You can get Geppettvs's permissions dialog with gconftool --set "/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_advanced_permissions" --type=boolean true
    – idbrii
    May 6, 2011 at 18:07
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There two ways (3 in a sense) to do this. Since Geppettvs and Tommy covered two of them already, I will cover the other.

Open the Alt+F2 dialogue (run dialogue) and type:

chmod +x /path/to_file/and/name_of_file and press Enter.

If the file is in a folder you cannot access, use:

gksu chmod +x /path/to_file/and/name_of_file and press enter

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  • In order not to experience problems with this command you may wish to sudo the command. Apr 16, 2011 at 23:58
  • @GeppettvsD'Constanzo: true; I will update my answer
    – RolandiXor
    Apr 17, 2011 at 0:53
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    @roland: using "sudo" unnecessarily can endanger your system. Before using "sudo", make sure you really need it
    – user
    Apr 17, 2011 at 2:26
  • Hey! teach me how to make my text to become a text in a box like your "enter" text... please! Apr 17, 2011 at 2:44
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    @Geppettvs Just type your text in <kbd>like this</kbd> :) Apr 17, 2011 at 2:53

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