QUESTION :
This should probably go into the question about Windows Annoyances, but can anyone explain why this happens, and how to fix it?
I right-click on a folder, select properties, and uncheck the Read-only. Click on OK. I get a confirmation with the option to apply changes to this folder only, or include subfolders and files. I select the latter, and click OK.
Go back to properties, and it’s still showing up as Read only. Why? I can’t see any files that are still read-only
ANSWER :
This issue is described in KB326549: You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista
The solution given there is to simply use the command-line attrib command to remove the attributes, like so:
attrib -r -s "c:somepathmy readonly folder"
Type Win+R cmd ENTER to get a shell. In the shell, type the following:
> cd "C:PathToRead-OnlyFolder"
> attrib -R /S /D
The /S and /D are needed to recurse into and remove read-only attribute from subfolders.
- Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).
- Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer subkey.
- Select New -> DWORD Value from the Edit menu.
- Enter a name of
UseSystemForSystemFolders
and press Enter.- Double-click the new value, set it to 1, and click OK.
- Close the registry editor.
- Reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.
Once you’ve done this you should be able to change your folder permissions.