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
    2010-12-12T22:09:40+00:00

    Windows 7     

    I copied Corel QuatroPro FILES to a portable hard disk.  When I retrieved them they could be viewed only as "read only" files and could only be saved without any editing or changes.  The solutions proposed by Microsoft do not work.  It took a lot of experimentation to find a method to retrieve and save these edited files.  The properties box for the files did NOT have the "read only" box checked.

    Try this:  Go to (DOS) Command and enter     xcopy DriveLetter\ filename  DestinationDriveLetter\directory\SavedAs FileName

    For example:    xcopy c:\currentmonth.qpw  f:\testcopies\currentmonthsaved.qpw

    I hope that this works for you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-05-16T22:10:37+00:00

    Same problem here with Win 7 Pro attributes continually resetting themselves to read-only, but in my case it's a primary, non-boot partition on the main hdd.  It's extremely annoying to have to go into diskpart.exe at each session and attempt to clear read-only.  After doing so, diskpart.exe reports that it failed to clear read-only but, upon re-booting, it works -- until the next time I start the computer.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-10T23:01:36+00:00

    I was having this very problem and gonig nuts reading through the suggestions to "set the attributes..."

    I've noticed this happening a lot on Windows 7 and in my case it started happening after I moved tempaltes into a startup folder.  I knew it had something to do with security.

    I'm sure it's way too late for people asking on here, but incase someone else stumbles into this, I had to change the security on the folder the documents were in to make this madness stop.  (Right click on folder, choose properties, choose security.  In there I found my profile and edited it to "allow" me to do everything in that folder.)

    Nevermind I AM logged in with administrator rights... 

    FWIW: I find the Windows 7 security very frustrating - over vigilant and crippling at times --  especially Windows 7 home premium.  But I'm sure there are reasons for it which don't understand but that a network administartor would appreciate.

    Laura

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-08-27T22:20:35+00:00

    I have this same problem.

    Each and every folder under my C:/ drive, including files and sub-folders, is set to read-only.

    I cannot save my games, cannot change or alter my homework, cannot do ANYTHING that requires accessing a new file.

    I CAN however create new files and folders, and access them normally, but after a time they set themselves to read-only. (Possibly on restart, will test later, don't restart often)

    This computer isn't connected to the internet, so I'm not sure what's causing this, but it's a new problem.

    I have a list of possible solutions I'm going to attempt, as well as a couple different anti-viruses i'm gonna install and scan with.

    I'll reply to this post with my results.

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