XUbuntu: Can't edit text files: Permission denied

Question

I am new to Linux, but I was under the impression that you can use GUI to edit text files I mean that is why GUI exists. I opened xrdp.ini and tried to edit it with Mousepad. When I try to save it I get Failed to save document. Permission denied.. I already used this method (How do I grant sudo privileges to an existing user?) to assign myself sudo permissions but I still can't edit this text file using GUI.

Do you start the text editor with root privileges ( using sudo -s or starting it with sudo at the beginning of the command )? — aastefanov, Feb 11 '15 at 20:56
I start it using Whisker Menu or Applications Menu, that is through GUI. — Uplink10, Feb 11 '15 at 21:03
I typed in terminal "gksudo mousepad" and it opened Mousepad in root. It works. — Uplink10, Feb 11 '15 at 21:09
Well, it shows that mousepad isn't starting with root privileges when opening it from Whisker. — aastefanov, Feb 11 '15 at 21:11

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 07 '18 at 14:46

1

If you want to edit configuration files which require root privileges, you have to open application with root privileges. I opened Mousepad with root privileges by typing in terminal:

gksudo mousepad

edited Feb 07 '18 at 14:46

Melebius

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answered Feb 11 '15 at 21:15

Uplink10

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gksudo is being removed from Ubuntu because Wayland has no close counterpart. For workarounds, see pkexec recipe and [opening `admin:///etc/...' in apps using gvfs](https://askubuntu.com/a/999913/232993). – Damian Yerrick Apr 15 '20 at 21:55

XUbuntu: Can't edit text files: Permission denied

1 Answers1