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.

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-09-11T20:01:06+00:00

    Thank you so much for responding.  As it turns out, I managed to figure it out.  What was happening is that I had filed the Excel spread sheet in an access controlled folder.  Once I moved it to a folder that was not access controlled, then the two people needing access to the file -- could actually go in and work and you would know that the other was also editing.

    I had combined my two excel spreadsheets and I also created a new worksheet on another duplicate set to see which was going to work and which not.  They both worked but it had to be away from the controlled access file.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-09-11T19:48:41+00:00

    Can you pls explain more by putting an example? lets name the file : File name, and the path is C:

    can you pls do that , so it would be more clear to follow your instructions?

    Thank you very much.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-29T17:09:51+00:00

    Dear Robert, this info is helpful.  I managed to take care of the problem I had with the "Read Only". It appears that I had been filing the document in a controlled access folder and any Excel folder I placed in that file opened as "Read Only".  When I moved that same file out of the access controlled folder, not only myself, but others could open the file and it did not read "Read Only." 

    Thank you for sharing the above info.  I hope I don't have this problem again, but I'm so glad to have a community of helpers to get help from.

    Thank you all.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-29T16:39:07+00:00

    Excellent, Thahaseena. Thank you.

    This was necessary for me:

    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.

    I did have to use the attrib -r -s c:\testcommand.

    Brilliant.

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