Unable to Open .PDF Files Due to Permissions Issue

Issue/Question

When I attempt to open a .pdf file on my Mac, I get an error message that states:

The file “file.pdf” couldn’t be opened because you don’t have permission to view it.

Environment

  • MacOS

Cause

The error message is inaccurate, as the problem is generally caused by an issue with the Preview application.

Resolution

  1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
  2. From the drop-down menu, select Force Quit.
  3. Select the Preview application and choose Force Quit.
  4. Attempt to open the .pdf file again.

If the problem persists, try restarting your Mac. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact the ITS Service Desk or submit a service request.

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