Windows 11 folder keeps reverting back to read only

@Peter Simmons1

Please see the previous messages I have posted on this subject. What you see in the folder's properties does NOT indicate that the folder is read-only. It is only a control that will let you set or unset the read-only attribute of files within the folder. An actual read-only folder (i.e. one that would prevent you from making changes) would be set via the NTFS security permissions which you can check under the Security tab for any given file or folder.

The square blue box with a minus sign is the same as the solid black box on previous versions of Windows. You will see this on ALL folders on ALL Windows computers. It means nothing. Whether zero, some, or all files within the folder have been marked read-only, that box will look the same. It is a terrible (and obviously confusing) interface design, but it's been that way for decades. Microsoft is unlikely to change it.

In regards to the actual problem you're encountering, you said "I can't delete any folders or files that need to be cleaned up". Please provide at least one specific example with a screenshot. Then we may be able to determine the actual cause of the problem. It may be caused by OneDrive, but there are other possible reasons as well, depending on what folder we're actually talking about. It can be as simple as Explorer itself holding the folder open, which is usually solved by closing all Explorer windows.

I recommend installing Microsoft's PowerToys and enabling the tool File Locksmith. Then you can right-click a folder, select Unlock with File Locksmith and it will then tell you what process is keeping the folder open.

Also note that the confusing, redundant, folders shown in the Navigation pane can be cleaned up by simply checking/unchecking the items you want by right-clicking in the white space at the bottom of the Navigation pane or via the Folder Options dialog (scroll to the bottom). You probably will want to uncheck "Show all folders".

I don't think it's a simple problem, it happens to all my folders, and as a result I can't delete any folders or files that need to be cleaned up - they are wherte they are becuse the layout of 11 is so confusing that it's easy to drop things onto the wrong destination, such as root of a flash drive instead of a folder on same drive. It's actually stopped me doing what I need to as it's too chaotic with files that should be deleted and folders that need to be moved. Who in their right mind would ever want every file read only? I have never needed or wanted it ion 30 years of computing. I think Gates is the Antichrist.

What an extraordinary complex method to do something as simple as swiitching off an unwanted @READ ONLY' tag that appears on ALL folders, and as soon as I remove it as per MS instructions, it goes back on when folder again accessed. How am I supposed to delete folders that should never have been created? Why is the default READ ONLY when any sane person would opt for no restrictions unless required MS constantly interfering in others' affairts is why. Linux leeks increasingly attractive. Just a lot of work transferring thousands of files. And all because Windows is now officially bloatware. Even copying files screws up gthe PC and causes mayhem. The worst ever version of this awful OS. Iwant XP back!

The files/folders are NOT being synced by One Drive.

I was actually asking @Brian Delgado1.

IIRC, you're seeing Office opening files in read only mode and we didn't identify a root cause. Have you eliminated all Excel add ins as a possible cause? Have you eliminated AV software as a cause? Are the individual file attributes being set to read-only (by checking the properties of a locked out file)?

The files/folders are NOT being synced by One Drive.