Windows 11 folder keeps reverting back to read only

@Peter Simmons1

I'm not sure why there was an attempted solution posted to the OP's message from 2 years ago, but using the attrib command to unset all files within a folder read-only is no more useful than using the control in the folder properties dialog. Both will let you clear the read-only attribute from all files in a folder, but that's probably not the issue. It would be extremely rare for an app (intentionally or unintentionally) to mark all files within a folder read-only.

When you have an issue, check the properties of the individual files within the folder and see if any of them have been set read-only. It's unlikely you will see that.

The solid box for the "read-only" item in the folder properties dialog, as I have explained ad nauseum, does not mean the folder is read-only and does not tell you anything about the read-only state of the individual files.

Are you still having an issue with being able to delete folders? If so, please see my reply from January 22, 2025 in this thread:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/win-11-folders-in-all-drives-keep-reverting-to/bd69dc18-ea17-4137-9bb8-3f55486153b5?page=1

My recommendations and request for a screenshot of the error you see still stand.

I keep getting access denied on every file.

I keep getting access denied on every file.

That's not much to go on, but one possibility is that Ransomware protection (Controlled folder access) is blocking legitimate processes. Try turning that off:

Windows security > Virus & threat Protection > Manage settings > Manage controlled folder access > Controlled folder access > Off

If that's not it, please provide details about what you are doing, or trying to do, when you get an "Access denied" message. The folder you are trying to access and the app that you're using (be it Explorer or something else) is also important.

That didn't work for me. Seems to me this has gone on long e3nough and Microsoft should address it rather than blaming or patronising users, and should correct the cleasr error in the next update.

Keep saying the read only on files in a folder doesn't do anything when it clearly restricts doing anything to the files, including delete. I have lost control of my computer, I could once do things that I can now no longer do, and I'm expected to find the solution and work it out myself. Typical of Microsoft. Blame the user and excuse sloppy programing.

That didn't work for me. Seems to me this has gone on long e3nough and Microsoft should address it rather than blaming or patronising users, and should correct the cleasr error in the next update.

Keep saying the read only on files in a folder doesn't do anything when it clearly restricts doing anything to the files, including delete. I have lost control of my computer, I could once do things that I can now no longer do, and I'm expected to find the solution and work it out myself. Typical of Microsoft. Blame the user and excuse sloppy programing.

@Peter Simmon1 My reply was for LorenaCastles and was just one possible fix depending on the specific issue of which I requested more information if that did not help. How is that blaming the user or being patronizing?

Your reply is directed at "Microsoft" yet I have made it clear in my reply, and my previous replies that I do NOT work for Microsoft. This is a user to user forum. You can report bugs or posts complaints to Microsoft on the Feedback Hub.

You described your issue as "as a result I can't delete any folders or files that need to be cleaned up". I already tried to help you in my reply from January 6, 2025, but my requests for additional information have gone unanswered.

There are many possible reasons a folder cannot be deleted, the most common being that another process has a lock on the folder. That's why I advised you to use the PowerToys File Locksmith tool to see what process, if any, has a lock on the folder you're trying to delete.

As for the item labelled "Read-only (only applies to files in the folder)". There seems to be a common unwillingness to accept that a checkbox can be used as a control that provides no status. But that's exactly what Microsoft did decades ago when they added that feature to the folder properties dialog. It's just a control that can be used to set, or unset, all files within a folder read-only. It does not, nor has it ever, conveyed any status as to whether any files within the folder are actually set read-only. It also absolutely has nothing to do with making, unmaking, or indicating that a folder is configured with read-only access. That's done with NTFS security settings, not file or folder attributes. I have stated these facts many times here.

There is no "bug" to be fixed in regards to that interface. It is an absolutely horrible interface design that clearly should be changed to avoid the confusion it causes, but functionally, it does exactly what it's supposed to do.

The issue you're encountering with not being able to delete a folder may be caused by some other process holding onto that folder and that may indeed be the result of some bug, but programmers need to be able to replicate the bug in order to fix it. Can you provide specific steps to recreate the issue or is it something that randomly occurs? If the latter, then, as I mentioned, at least try PowerToys File Locksmith. That's what I always use when I can't delete a file or folder and it usually shows me the reason why.