A “PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied” typically occurs in computing when a user lacks the necessary permissions to perform a specific action on a file or directory. This error is prevalent in operating systems like Unix/Linux and Windows, signaling that the user attempting the operation doesn’t have the required rights to access, modify, or execute the specified resource.
In Unix-like systems, permissions are managed through the chmod command, while Windows uses a combination of user accounts and access control lists. To resolve this error, users often need to adjust file permissions or take ownership of the file. Additionally, running a program as an administrator or superuser may be necessary to perform certain operations.
Understanding and managing permissions is fundamental for maintaining a secure and well-functioning computer system, ensuring that users can execute tasks without compromising the integrity and security of files and directories.
Exception in Tkinter callback
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\Python34\lib\tkinter\__init__.py", line 1538, in __call__
return self.func(*args)
File "C:/Users/Marc/Documents/Programmation/Python/Llamachat/Llamachat/Llamachat.py", line 32, in download
with open(place_to_save, 'wb') as file:
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/goodbye.txt'
When running this :
def download():
# get selected line index
index = films_list.curselection()[0]
# get the line's text
selected_text = films_list.get(index)
directory = filedialog.askdirectory(parent=root,
title="Choose where to save your movie")
place_to_save = directory + '/' + selected_text
print(directory, selected_text, place_to_save)
with open(place_to_save, 'wb') as file:
connect.retrbinary('RETR ' + selected_text, file.write)
tk.messagebox.showwarning('File downloaded',
'Your movie has been successfully downloaded!'
'\nAnd saved where you asked us to save it!!')
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied error solved
To resolve a “PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied” in Python, you can try the following solutions:
Run as Administrator/Superuser:
Ensure that you are running the Python script or program with administrative or superuser privileges. On Unix-like systems, use the sudo command, and on Windows, run the command prompt or script as an administrator.
sudo python your_script.py # Unix/Linux
Check File/Directory Permissions:
Make sure the user running the script has the necessary permissions to read or write to the specified file or directory. You can adjust file permissions using the chmod command on Unix-like systems.
chmod +rw your_file.txt
Change Working Directory:
If the script is attempting to access a file using a relative path, ensure that the working directory allows access to the file. You can change the working directory in your script using the os.chdir() function.
import os
os.chdir('/path/to/your/directory')
Use Absolute Paths:
Instead of relying on relative paths, use absolute paths to specify the location of files or directories.
file_path = '/absolute/path/to/your_file.txt'
Run IDE/Shell as Administrator:
If you are using an integrated development environment (IDE) or a shell, open it with administrator privileges.
By applying these solutions, you should be able to resolve the “PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied” issue in your Python script. Adjust the solution based on your specific environment and requirements.
Specify the complete (absolute) path to the file
To specify the complete (absolute) path to a file, you need to provide the full path to the file on your system. The path will depend on your operating system.
Unix/Linux Example:
file_path = '/path/to/your/file.txt'
Windows Example:
file_path = r'C:\path\to\your\file.txt'
Ensure that you replace “/path/to/your/” with the actual path to the file and adjust the filename accordingly. In Windows, the backslashes \ are used as path separators, and the r before the string denotes a raw string, preventing the need to escape backslashes.
Remember to use the correct path separator for your operating system and ensure that the user running the Python script has the necessary permissions to access the specified file.
Using a local path when the file is located in the same directory
If the file is located in the same directory as your Python script, you can use a local path to reference it. Here’s an example:
import os
# Assuming your Python script and the file are in the same directory
file_name = 'your_file.txt'
file_path = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), file_name)
In this example:
file represents the current script’s file path.
os.path.dirname(file) gets the directory of the current script.
os.path.join() combines the directory path with the filename to create the complete file path.
This way, you don’t need to specify an absolute path, and the script will work regardless of the actual location of the script as long as it’s in the same directory as the file. Adjust the file_name variable to match the actual name of your file.
Make sure the files you are interacting with are closed
To ensure that files are properly closed after interacting with them in Python, it’s a good practice to use the with statement. The with statement is used for resource management and automatically takes care of closing the file when you are done with it. Here’s an example:
file_name = 'your_file.txt'
# Using 'with' statement to open and automatically close the file
with open(file_name, 'r') as file:
# Perform operations on the file
content = file.read()
# Do more processing if needed
# Once the block inside 'with' is exited, the file is automatically closed
# Continue with the rest of your code
In this example:
with open(file_name, ‘r’) as file: opens the file in read mode (‘r’). You can use ‘w’ for write mode, ‘a’ for append mode, or other modes based on your requirements.
The code block indented under with performs operations on the file.
Once the code block is exited, whether normally or due to an exception, the file is automatically closed.
By using the with statement, you reduce the chances of leaving files open unintentionally, and it ensures proper resource cleanup cleanly and concisely.
Opening all files in a directory
To open all files in a directory in Python, you can use the os module to list the files in the directory and then iterate through the list, opening each file. Here’s an example:
import os
directory_path = '/path/to/your/directory'
# List all files in the directory
file_list = os.listdir(directory_path)
# Iterate through the files and open each one
for file_name in file_list:
# Create the full path to the file
file_path = os.path.join(directory_path, file_name)
# Check if the path is a file (not a subdirectory)
if os.path.isfile(file_path):
with open(file_path, 'r') as file:
# Perform operations on the file
content = file.read()
# Do more processing if needed
print(f"Content of {file_name}: {content}")
# Continue with the rest of your code
Run CMD as an administrator
To run Command Prompt (CMD) as an administrator, follow these steps:
On Windows:
Search for CMD:
In the Windows search bar, type “CMD.”
Right-Click on Command Prompt:
Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results.
Run as Administrator:
From the context menu, select “Run as administrator.”
User Account Control (UAC) Prompt:
If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to confirm that you want to run CMD as an administrator.
Alternative Method:
Open Start Menu:
Click the Start button.
Locate CMD:
Navigate to “Windows System” in the list of apps.
Right-click on Command Prompt:
Right-click on “Command Prompt.”
Run as Administrator:
Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
UAC Prompt:
If prompted by UAC, click “Yes.”
Once CMD opens with administrative privileges, you’ll have elevated access to perform tasks that require administrator rights. Remember to exercise caution when using administrative privileges to avoid unintended changes to your system.
FAQs
What does “PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied” mean?
This error indicates that the user attempting an operation lacks the necessary permissions to access or modify a specified file or directory.
Why does this error occur?
The error occurs when the user doesn’t have the required rights to perform a particular action, such as reading, writing, or executing a file.
How can I check file permissions?
Use the ls -l command on Unix-like systems or the icacls command on Windows to display detailed file permissions.
How can I change file permissions?
On Unix-like systems, use the chmod command. On Windows, you can modify permissions through the file properties or use the icacls command.
Why do I need permissions?
Permissions ensure the security of files and directories by controlling who can access, modify, or execute them. They help prevent unauthorized access or accidental data loss.
How do I run a program as an administrator or superuser?
On Windows, right-click the program and select “Run as administrator.” On Unix-like systems, use the sudo command before the program name to execute it with superuser privileges.
What if I encounter this error on a shared system?
Contact the system administrator to request the necessary permissions. Modifying permissions without proper authorization can compromise system security.
Are there alternative ways to handle permissions?
Some systems use access control lists (ACLs) to provide more granular control over permissions. Familiarize yourself with ACLs if standard Unix or Windows permissions are insufficient for your needs.
Conclusion
Encountering a “PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied” indicates a fundamental issue with accessing or modifying files or directories due to insufficient permissions. Resolving this error involves understanding and managing file permissions, which are crucial for maintaining system security.
Users should check existing permissions using commands like ls -l or Icacls, modify permissions using tools such as Chmod or Icacls, and run programs with elevated privileges when necessary. It is essential to respect permission settings on shared systems and, if needed, consult system administrators for proper authorization. Overall, a solid grasp of file permissions ensures the integrity and security of a computing environment, preventing unauthorized access and data mishandling.