How To Modify a file with a Read-only Protection Policy

[Jon G Lind]

NOTE: Please use this carefully.  There is probably a reason that a file is set to read-only, and this should be used more for deactivating unneeded functionality than changing the way a process works, as in the following example.  If you need to change the process, deactivate the old item and add a new copy.

Getting Started

This walkthrough shows how a non-maintenance user can modify a record that is set to a read-only protection policy. In this scenario, the user is not using ATF and does not want the re-run test button to appear. To begin, navigate to the ReleaseOps scope and create a new update set named "Turn Off Re-Run Test UI Action."

Export Update Set and Edit in XML

Navigate back to the record and use the third-party "Add Updates" tool, available in the ServiceNow Store. Open the update set, mark it complete, save it, and export as XML.

In your favorite text editor locate the active field, which is currently set to true. Change the value to false and save the file.

Upload and Apply in Retrieved Update Sets

Navigate to Retrieved Update Sets and import from XML. Select the file and upload it. Once uploaded, preview the update set, then close and commit. Navigate back to the UI Action record — the button will no longer be active.

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Summary

This video demonstrates how to disable a UI Action for non-maintenance users by editing an exported update set XML file and re-importing it through Retrieved Update Sets.