Cannot change READ ONLY file attributes using Administrator Account

Anonymous
2009-10-31T21:41:55+00:00

I have tried windows explorer and a custom program called Directory Opus. I have tried creating several administrator accounts but no luck.

I cannot work with this problem existing.

I need a solution.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-02-27T20:39:32+00:00

I have the exact same issue.  Following the steps above did not work, the folder/subfolders remain Read-Only.  I am the owner of the folder and subfolders.  I'm not even sure how they became Read-Only to begin with.  Setting Read-Only on individual files works properly.  Changing folder settings does not.

***IMPORTANT EDIT:

According to a Microsoft Knowledge Base post:

You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders

To summarize, Windows ignores System or Read-Only settings on folders (it does not ignore those properties on FILES however).  Individual applications that you are running may not ignore the Read-Only status on a folder and may give an error.  In my situation, an application was attempting to create a new file in a folder that was marked as Read-Only and it honored the RO setting and refused to try to create the new file.

To actually change these attributes, the Properties menu will not work.  From the KB source:

  • If you click Apply changes to this folder only , the Read-only attribute is changed for all the files in the folder. However, the Read-only attribute is not changed for the folder, its subfolders, or any files in its subfolders. If you click Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files , the Read-only attribute is changed for all files in the folder and all files in the subfolders. However, the Read-only attribute is not changed for the folder or its subfolders.

In order to change these properties, the user must launch a command line terminal and execute the changes by hand, such as this command:

  • attrib -r +s c:\test

...which will remove the READ-ONLY setting and apply the SYSTEM setting to the folder.  Once again, changing properties of files (including files in subfolders) works as expected with the right-click Properties -> Security menu.

Knowledge Base source:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

Bad support, MS.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-01T17:33:21+00:00

    I had this same problem with Adobe Illustrator. I was trying to export a .eps file to a to a .xaml file and I was getting a read only error. I thought it was because the directory was read-only but it was actually due to the fact that the file was too large since Windows 7 ignores read only attributes on directories. I solved the problem by deleting some of the detail in the file. My point is that some applications give error messages that are not acurate.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-26T10:50:13+00:00

    I have this same problem

    I have a spent a while deleting an old (windows.old) folder.. was a mission getting around the permissions issue.. but job done now.

    1 file remains

    I have renamed the file to deleteme.txt (can't remember what it originally was)

    and moved it to root directory (allowing me to delete the containing folder)

    it won't let me move it off the drive c

    it has read-only attrib which I can't change as it continues to say permission denied.

    I have changed all permissions to full access etc

    I have taken ownership (apparently!)

    using cmd (in admin mode) to change attrib give access denied.

    ok whilst writing...

    even though [file]> properties > security

    I have full permission

    in [file] > properties > security > advance > permissions

    I do not have full permissions

    changing this last section enabled me to delete this last file.

    --- o ---

    Shame on MS for making this so convoluted... we've all got better things to do than get permission from computers we own so we can change/delete... the more complicated you make windows the less complicated Linux is in comparison!

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-06-20T21:54:18+00:00

    Same problem here! This seems to randomly pop up with different files. I'm not really sure what the cause is but man is it annoying. I've tried all the **** everyone always says. Attrib, ACLs, DACL, more acronyms, etc. Needles to say I have enabled FULL permissions for everyone on these suspect files and folders while in the Admin account, in safe mode, and still a no go. What else could you possible need. I mean I'm in the Administrator account with full permissions and in safe mode to eliminate program compatibility problems and what ever else and I get no where. Funny thing is if I transfer these files to my xp 32bit virtual machine everything works fine?

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-06-27T01:35:10+00:00

    This is ridiculous. But coping the file to a new folder worked.

    Dont know why MS lacks in silly things like this.

    I hope my hero Mr. Gates and his team will do a better job.

    As a software consultant I always support MS for the big and best things they have done.

    Its so tuff when you have so much coding for a big product.

    I have argued with many who support Apple and Trash MS.

    But this one tested me to the height.

    Hope the support will realise what the users are undergoing.

    Venkat (KC).

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