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
    2015-10-23T11:37:28+00:00

    On Wed, 14 Oct 2015 23:31:35 +0000, JoeGibson [Insider] wrote:

    Okay Ken...you want to play...let's play.

    No, I'm not interested in playing.

    That attrib ** did not work as it tells me "File not found" when I can see the bloody files in Explorer. but I know it goes away whenever I reboot this tower. so can you get off of your derriere and find a solution to this problem?

    First, I don't know the solutions to all problems. Second, with you

    talking to me like that, I'm not interested in trying to help you and

    looking for a solution. Goodbye.

    And for that...you can go jump off of a roof or jump off the empire state building as it was OBVIOUS I was having a bad day. But I already found the solution and I really don't care if you respond to this or not or if this gets me in trouble but...You can go take a flying **** leap off of a short pier as any more responses from you will be deleted now have a happy **** day

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-14T23:37:03+00:00

    On Wed, 14 Oct 2015 23:31:35 +0000, JoeGibson [Insider] wrote:

    Okay Ken...you want to play...let's play.

    No, I'm not interested in playing.

    That attrib ** did not work as it tells me "File not found" when I can see the bloody files in Explorer. but I know it goes away whenever I reboot this tower. so can you get off of your derriere and find a solution to this problem?

    First, I don't know the solutions to all problems. Second, with you
    talking to me like that, I'm not interested in trying to help you and
    looking for a solution. Goodbye.

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  3. 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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  4. 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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