Adjust permissions with chmod, but check if restoration is required.
Adjust permissions with chmod, but check if restoration is required.
I was preparing a backup server to avoid similar issues, but things took an unexpected turn when I applied the chmod command to the / directory instead of ./. When I noticed the changes, it was already too late—the process had affected many folders in the root. Fortunately, I didn’t use sudo privileges, which limited the impact. It seems only user-written files were changed, and some home directory files have regained their original permissions. Could I restore everything exactly as before, or would a complete reinstall be necessary? I already have a backup of my home directory, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Going forward, I’ll back up the entire system using a utility like timeshift.
I wouldn't go for a fresh setup unless you used sudo. Probably two things changed: you deleted read/write access to other users in your home directories, and you removed the executable rights from everything in your home folder. You likely don't need executables unless Steam is installed. If it's in its standard place, your games won't start.
Consider adjusting permissions across the drive, but be cautious with `chmod -R 755 /`. The themes aren’t loading, your Dolphin isn’t accessing the home folder, and the issue seems fixable.
It's hard to revert to the old setup without knowing the previous permissions of each file in your home directory. You might be able to restore it, but I'd recommend backing up your important data and reinstalling the system to prevent future issues or loss.