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.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

300+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

77 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-29T23:10:07+00:00

    *argh*!!

    I'm trying to mod a game I'm playing, but I can't because I'm unable to change the read-only setting. I never had this problem in XP.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-23T14:25:52+00:00

    Why should he start a new thread when he's having the same problem and no working solution has yet been offered?

    As forum moderator and employee of MS, I'm sure you know a few people who might actually have a solution for us. Please go find them.

    I am having the same issue in Vista and second the "please find someone to fix this problem"

    suggestion.. Have tried all the "fixes" and nothing works .... this is a very serious problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2012-01-13T08:20:56+00:00

    Why should he start a new thread when he's having the same problem and no working solution has yet been offered?

    As forum moderator and employee of MS, I'm sure you know a few people who might actually have a solution for us. Please go find them.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2011-12-31T22:44:00+00:00

    Solution:

    Open an elevated explorer window: Go to the start menu, go to the search, type in "explorer," find "Windows Explorer," right click, Run as Administrator, find the folders you are trying to change attributes for, open properties on the folder, uncheck Read-Only on the General tab, it will pause and prompt you for an administrator permission window, click "allow."

    Too bad, that did not work for me

    1 searchhing for 'Explorer'  finds anything except windows explorer

    So, I just looked in All programs-Accessories

    Started it as Admin, changed the ReadOnly box on properties, says it is gonna change things. I look in properties and the ReadOnly box is tagged again.

    Unbelievable, it is MY computer and MY folder and I cannot change it. Sorry to say but they are completely bonkers at Microsoft

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments