Files showing up as "Read Only" and unable to change this.

Anonymous
2009-11-11T02:03:39+00:00

I have Windows 7 Ultimate. A couple of weeks ago I had a big issue with some of my user permissions being changed (not sure how I did it but it happened) so i was unable to access programs and files, after some time with a MS tech on chat and a system restore (unsucessful), I just created a new user account and deleted the old one.

Everything seems to be working fine now, however before I created the new user account I copied some files I had on the desktop to a flash drive and put them with my new user desktop. The file property keep showing up as "Read only" even after unchecking the box and applying it just reverts when I close it.

This also happens when I create a new folder on the desktop, its default property is "Read Only" - why would this be, and how can i change it?

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

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Anonymous
2009-11-11T19:45:12+00:00

Hi GoodfellaJC,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers.

Follow the steps mentioned below.

Step 1:

To view or to remove the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Vista or Windows 7

1.      Click Start, click Run, type cmd and then press ENTER.

2.      To view the syntax for the Attrib command, type attrib /? at the command prompt.

To remove the Read-only attribute and to set the System attribute, use the following command:****

attrib -r +s drive:<path><foldername>

For example, to remove the Read-only attribute and to set the System attribute for the C:\Test folder, use the following command:

attrib -r +s c:\test

Be aware that some programs may not operate correctly with folders for which the System attribute and the Read-only attribute are set. Therefore, use the following command to remove these attributes:

attrib -r -s drive:<path><foldername>

For example, to remove both the Read-only and the System attributes from the C:\Test folder, use the following command:

attrib -r -s c:\test

If the Run command is not listed on the Start menu, do the following:

Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories and then click Run.

For further reference check the article mentioned below.

You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

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

Hope this information is helpful.

Thank you and Regards.           

Thahaseena M

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-07-22T20:43:24+00:00

    I have had exactly the same issue and the attrib method does not change anything.

    I did a clean install of Windows 7 (64bit) and Office 2007 on my laptop a few months back, and everything was working fine until just a week or so ago.  Suddenly Word 2007 is opening files as read-only even though the files do not have read-only selected in their properties.  I can't save the files unless I use Save as and give them a new name.  I find that the folders in My Documents are ALL marked read-only and I cannot change this using any method I have tried (including the attrib command).

    I have full administrator permissions on my user id, and I am the owner of all the files so why can't I get control over them?

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-29T03:01:28+00:00

    Hi, Oceanchild.

    Several years ago, Microsoft changed the meaning of the "Read Only" attribute as it applies to folders - but this change was so unpublicized that many users still do not realize that anything has happened. For details, see this KB article:

    You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7+

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3BEN-US%3B326549

    The bottom line is that the Read Only flag for folders is meaningless and useless for most of us.

    RC

    "Oceanchild" wrote in message news:af8213e4-e346-4867-9935-34c3b9fc861f...

    Same problem with Windows 7 Home premium.

    I have software wich needs to have access to folders and write tags for the files in them, but due to read only default setting for folders it can't be done, and I'm braking my brain on this problem already for 2 days.

    Tried to follow steps as prescribed by Thahaseena M but without any results. Seems like there is some mistake, or I am doing something wrong. I just need to make some folders on external HDD as normal, not Read Only.

    R. C. White, CPA Microsoft Windows MVP

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-28T10:32:56+00:00

    Same problem with Windows 7 Home premium.

    I have software wich needs to have access to folders and write tags for the files in them, but due to read only default setting for folders it can't be done, and I'm braking my brain on this problem already for 2 days.

    Tried to follow steps as prescribed by Thahaseena M but without any results. Seems like there is some mistake, or I am doing something wrong. I just need to make some folders on external HDD as normal, not Read Only.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-22T07:29:21+00:00

    It says parameter format not correct!

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