6

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

|improve this question
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

|improve this answer
  • Very good! I miss that simple layout in my system... sometimes... – Geppettvs D'Constanzo Apr 16 '11 at 23:56
  • @GeppettvsD'Constanzo: I prefer the advanced one for the control it gives – RolandiXor♦ Apr 17 '11 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 '11 at 18:07
  • @pydave - Brilliant. Thanks very much for the gconftool heads up. – boehj May 6 '11 at 18:16
7

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!

|improve this answer
  • 1
    If you are in Ubuntu 10.10, that permissions tab would look like this: i.imgur.com/JfV5H.png – Tommy Brunn Apr 16 '11 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. – Geppettvs D'Constanzo Apr 16 '11 at 17:04
  • @Tommy Just make that a separate answer that way we have them both up front! – Jorge Castro Apr 16 '11 at 20:49
  • 1
    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 '11 at 21:27
  • 2
    You can get Geppettvs's permissions dialog with gconftool --set "/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_advanced_permissions" --type=boolean true – idbrii May 6 '11 at 18:07
1

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

|improve this answer
  • In order not to experience problems with this command you may wish to sudo the command. – Geppettvs D'Constanzo Apr 16 '11 at 23:58
  • @GeppettvsD'Constanzo: true; I will update my answer – RolandiXor♦ Apr 17 '11 at 0:53
  • 1
    @roland: using "sudo" unnecessarily can endanger your system. Before using "sudo", make sure you really need it – user Apr 17 '11 at 2:26
  • Hey! teach me how to make my text to become a text in a box like your "enter" text... please! – Geppettvs D'Constanzo Apr 17 '11 at 2:44
  • 1
    @Geppettvs Just type your text in <kbd>like this</kbd> :) – theTuxRacer Apr 17 '11 at 2:53

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.