git: fatal: detected dubious ownership

Question

I work with a new Windows installation and the same folder on my network share (NAS System). After installing git and tortoisegit I tried to connect to the git repository, but I always get this error. What has changed is the server and not the user.

I have run

git config --global --add safe.directory '*'

But that changes nothing. How can I fix this?

Where can I set the variable

GIT_TEST_DEBUG_UNSAFE_DIRECTORIES=true

Answer 1

This happens when a repo was cloned by a different user than your current user. In my case, I've encountered this issue after reinstalling windows, but using previously cloned git repositories (on a separate partition).

• Right-click repo folder, properties, security, advanced.
• Click "Change" on the Owner line.
• Find your user (advanced..., find now, select your user). Confirm.
• On the change screen, enable "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects".

That should fix the error.

If you intend to use more than one user on a cloned repo, then I'd follow git instructions to add the exception.

Answer 2

git config --global --add safe.directory *

This worked for me, minor difference.