Windows 11 folder keeps reverting back to read only

a negative sign on the checkbox for read only on all folder on my computer, effectively won't let me do any changes, I uncheck the box, click ok/apply and it goes back again to the same

XY Problem. That's not the cause of your read-only issue. I have explained that countless times on this forum. The likely cause is OneDrive. If, for example, you have game save data in a folder that is synced by OneDrive, your data can get locked out to a read-only state, especially if there's a connection issue and especially if a VPN is being used. If you are absolutely sure it's not OneDrive, then it may be caused by your AV software. And If that's not it, then it's possibly an NTFS permission issue.

That solid block/negative sign means nothing. Go take a look at any folder, on any Windows computer. Same thing on all of them. It doesn't matter if zero, some, or all files in that folder are marked read-only, that box will always look the same. Now go ahead and use that box to unset all files in the folder read-only. It probably will make no difference because it's very unlikely that the files' attributes were ever changed to read-only. It's much more likely that there is some lockout occurring (like OneDrive being in the mix).

Most bizarre is people spewing the nonsense here on this threat that this is normal and always has been lol.

Not bizarre. Not nonsense. The problem is the psychological power of a checkbox in the Windows interface. People find it hard to believe a checkbox can exist that doesn't mean anything. Don't confuse that with "doesn't do anything". That checkbox is a button that will let you set or unset the read-only attribute for all files within a folder. Almost no-one has a need to ever do that. It's mostly an archaic concept as more powerful features like file and folder permissions make more sense to control file access.

There are many scenarios where a file can can be locked out to a read-only state and it's natural for people to go searching for a smoking gun and this old file read-only attribute control in the folder properties is the one that is so frequently identified as the "culprit". This is old Windows stuff that looks crazy to newcomers and should be cleaned up. Microsoft should fix the interface so people aren't confused, but they just ignore stuff like that no matter how much confusion it causes.

Anyhow, let's fix your problem. Please first see if that folder is, in any way, being synced by OneDrive.

Hi there is December 31st, 2024,
I first encountered this issue last night, I have no clue but I'm thinking maybe its related to the absolute garbage of windows defender, that being said, same issue, a negative sign on the checkbox for read only on all folder on my computer, effectively won't let me do any changes, I uncheck the box, click ok/apply and it goes back again to the same. I was working on creation kit making some mods on skyrim, won't let me save I get a warning that the esp file is in read only mode, was working on visual studio 2022, the program can't access header files either, it's the most downright bizarre bug I have seen in a while on a windows machine, I can't even post images here I'm guessing because of that, I'm still haven't test the extend but I'm guessing it will affect a bunch of stuff.

I've tried everything, all tutorials, including those from our Indi friends and still nothing.

Most bizarre is people spewing the nonsense here on this threat that this is normal and always has been lol. To whoever find a solution for this good luck, I'm guessing the only thing now is to accept that or reinstall windows and backup all your s**hit.

Even though it's normal, but how to fix this... I tried several methods and they never worked out.

That totally depends on what "this" is. What error message are you seeing?

If you see a message like the one below, then please see the instructions posted by AzizMehrez on page 6.

If you're seeing some other error, please post a screenshot of what you're seeing.

Please check my response on page 6, I detailed exactly how I fixed this issue for me. Might help you too,

Even though it's normal, but how to fix this... I tried several methods and they never worked out.