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I'm trying to get rid of a stray Netskope Client (NSClient1) VPN entry that wouldn't go away. I found its traces only in /Library/Preferences/com.apple.networkextension.plist - this is the system's plist not my users. I'm the only user on the system and have admin privileges.

However the file is locked and despite being an admin, I can't edit it. Can someone please help me figure out how do I edit this file (or remove the stray VPN entry)?

Steps taken so far: (all result in operation not permitted or I don't have permissions to change)

  • tried to change permissions (via finder's get info option as well as chmod through the terminal)
  • tried to copy the file to the desktop, edit it and then replace
  • contacted Apple support (and they said it's not their problem - quite literally)
  • contacted Netskope (VPN support) and tried to run their uninstaller but that didn't work either

[the VPN entry doesn't get listed when I run sudo networksetup -listallnetworkservices]

I'm using macOS Sonoma 14.0

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  • Is the nouchg or noschg flag set? If so, remove it by following the instructions in the chflags(1) man page.
    – Linc D.
    Oct 3 at 1:47
  • Thanks. Tried it, the chflags execute in terminal but the file remains locked.
    – zaam
    Oct 3 at 2:31
  • remains uneditable*
    – zaam
    Oct 3 at 12:40

1 Answer 1

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It seems like the SIP (system integrity protection) on macOS was blocking changes to system plists. I had to disable that to make any edits.

To disable, boot in recovery mode and enter csrutil disable through the terminal; then reboot.

Once done, you can run csrutil enable to enable it again and csrutil status to check its status.

PS: Not recommended to do this if you don't know what this all means. Always backup.

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