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

Anonymous

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?

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Anonymous

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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60 additional answers

Anonymous

2013-12-21T21:42:04+00:00

On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:14:28 +0000, MasterBucks wrote:

In every single post regarding the issue of READ ONLY ATTRIBUTES... the support engineer has given a solution which has failed. Usually the same old__ of taking ownership and/or running command line attrib -r etc etc.

I too have this problem, none of the solutions given are working for so many of us... yet the support engineer continues to give exactly the same advice which is simply not working!!!

You say "files," but are you talking about files or folders?

Assuming that you mean folders, they may appear to be marked

read-only, but they are not read-only. The read-only attribute doesn't

apply to folders. You can't change it, because there's nothing to

change.

Ken Blake

Mr. Blake IF the read only change is "nothing" then why when I try to save or create files in the user folders of documents that operation fails? Even when the file attributes are NOT read only.

BTW I did attempt to change the attributes through the command window, got NO errors but the problem still exist I can not change/create documents in the user account

EDITED:

For a excel file I was able to save, BUT it would not allow overwriting(that read only that doesn't mean anything) to the a file (not excel), opened that file and saved as to main top document folder. I then copied and pasted into the folder which had the original file. That operation was successful, taking 5 steps when it should have completed in one.

Computers are supposed to make work easier this abomination with Win 7 is not making it easier.
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Anonymous

2013-11-19T00:58:59+00:00

Why should we have to go through all these commands? This is WIN 7 not DOS. Why did Microsoft make it so difficult to do a simple task? I want to do it with a simple "Properties" selection using a right-click of my mouse.
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Anonymous

2013-11-18T20:56:51+00:00

We use the program software Predator CNC Editor. The latest release does not support any hard drive (network or attached) over 1TB. When connected to this folder the Predator software will not save anywhere including locally. I was told by the Predator-software company that they know about this problem and the new release will have it fixed but he could not give me any details about a release date.
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Anonymous

2013-11-16T23:26:48+00:00

I guess the person who answer this question was sleeping. The question said "FILE" but the answer is related to FOLDER.

I have the same problem and I do not know how to resolve this problem. My computer was wipe out, so I have a fresh clean start. When I start open my files NOT FOLDER, with Explorer or with Winword program, all the files open as READ ONLY. I have Winword 2007. Do I need to buy a recent edition of winword? Good way, right!

Do I have to open my 30,000 documents one by one and rename them? This is absolutely ridiculous. Can anybody help me?
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