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
    2012-03-05T13:59:57+00:00

    Hi Ken,

    the issue lies in the fact that external apps that locate files within the folder marked as read only, see the folder properties, and therefore may allow read access, but not write access.  Which i am sure you can understand is a big problem if you have database files that cannot be written too.

    As with masterbucks, i have tried all solutions that i could find on the net, and everyone keeps touting the attrib command, which does nothing really.  even on a folder that is created new.

    Any other advice that you can provide?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-03-04T03:19:27+00:00

    Win 7. 

    I have files AND folders that are shaded.  Not all.  But most.  I don't understand why Microsoft doesn't send a patch for this in their updates.  I'm not computer savy and shouldn't have to fix this myself when I'm hearing of more and more people that are having this problem.  It's a BUG and it needs to be fixed in a update Microsoft.  PLEASE.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-02-02T19:29:44+00:00

    I had to rename the file so that the file name did not include any space.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-02-02T14:03:34+00:00

    I have tried the Microsoft Support solution Article ID 326549 using the attrib command, and, like Dave 770, receive a message that tells ms "Parameter format not correct -".

    I have never had this problem before yesterday, and am having the same issue with machines that run XP.

    Please Help!

    I have saved all my docs and spreadsheets on my external hard drive and can now make no changes because of the "Read Only" attrib and have tride many attempts to change it, but receive the message that the Parameters are incorrect. What is the correct procedure?.

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