Windows 11 folder keeps reverting back to read only

I experienced the same problem where a folder would consistently revert to read-only, preventing deletion. The solution provided by ChatGPT that worked for me was to boot into a Linux Live USB, such as Ubuntu, and delete the folder from within that environment.

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.

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 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.