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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2012-02-05T13:43:12+00:00

    Hello, in W7 it is as simple as log in as Admin, then turn off UAC (Control Panel\User Accounts and Family Safety\User Accounts) and try the Properties Read/Write box.  Don't forget to turn UAC back on!

    It solves also the inheriting permissions (to subfolders an files) problem with W7.

    Hope this helps

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-02-05T14:12:32+00:00

    Thanks, but it does not work, or at least, I do not understand how to turn of UAC. I go the the controlpanel..\UserAccounts and there is nothing to switch off there. Perhaps that is because I only have 'UserAccounts' and not 'UserAccounts and Family Safety\Useraccounts' But if it would, do I understand I have to do this everytimeagain if I want to write to the protected folders? That is another thing with Windows, someone may describe a solution and when you try to implement that, you think: "huh is that guy using the same windows 7 as I do, coz it looks completely different' It is a ridiculously problem, just about any internet app can leave all sorts of **** on my disc, but I as owner and administrator cannot write to my own directories on my own computer with a program that I own? Nice going microsoft! Apple is seeming more and more attractive Nevertheless, thanks for yr effort

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-06T18:22:24+00:00

    Hello,

    If you have attempted the steps listed in this thread but are still having an issue, please repost this as a new question at the link provided below. Include any additional system and error information.

    Microsoft Answers:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-24T21:44:32+00:00

    Tried all the above, nothing worked, couldn't change the Read only attribute or save the hosts file with new details.

    WHAT DID WORK: Right click to open Notepad via "Run As Administrator".  Then open the file through Notepad, make your changes, and then save.  I was able to change the hosts file even though the etc folder was Read only.

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