I am using Windows XP Pro and have noticed that I can not remove read only attributes from folders. I can go in and make changes on each individual file but the folder remains read only. I even have this problem when I create a new folder. Does anyone have any suggestions before I call Microsoft?
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Can't change read only attributes
- Thread starter Bleu
- Start date
There's 3 settings for Read Only in folder properties, a checkmark, no checkmark [blank box], or the green square fill-in of the box. The green square doesn't seem to prohibit copying files to the folder or deleting files. I haven't yet found what the implication of the green square in the box is, so that is the question I need an answer for. The Help file doesn't give me an answer.
You are not alone in this problem. Below are some ideas and alternative options to try.
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)
From a Command prompt use the ATTRIB command.
Displays or changes file attributes.
This command displays, sets, or removes the Read-Only, Archive, System, and Hidden attributes assigned to files or directories.
Syntax
ATTRIB [+R|-R] [+A|-A] [+S|-S] [+H|-H][[drive:][path]filename] [/S]
To display all attributes of all files in the current directory, use the following syntax:
ATTRIB
Parameter
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies the location and name of the file(s) you want to process.
Switches
+R
Sets the Read-Only file attribute.
-R
Clears the Read-Only file attribute.
+A
Sets the Archive file attribute.
-A
Clears the Archive file attribute.
+S
Sets the file as a System file.
-S
Clears the System file attribute.
+H
Sets the file as a Hidden file.
-H
Clears the Hidden file attribute.
/S
Processes files in the current directory and all of its subdirectories.
CACLS(Change Access Control Lists)
Managing System Information from the command line.
Command-line tools must be run at the prompt of the Cmd.exe command interpreter. To open Command Prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK. To view help at the command-line, at the command prompt, type the following:
CommandName /?
CACLS Displays or modifies discretionary access control list (DACL) files.
Syntax
cacls FileName [/t] [/e] [/c] [/g User
ermission] [/r User [...]] [/p Userermission [...]] [/d User [...]]
Parameters
FileName
Required. Displays DACLs of specified files.
/t
Changes DACLs of specified files in the current directory and all subdirectories.
/e
Edits a DACL instead of replacing it.
/c
Continues to change DACLs, ignoring errors.
/g Userermission
Grants access rights to the specified user. The following table lists valid values for permission. Value Description
n None
r Read
w Write
c Change (Write)
f Full Control
/r User
Revokes access rights for the specified user.
/p Userermission
Replaces access rights for the specified user. The following table lists valid values for permission. Value Description
n None
r Read
w Write
c Change (Write)
f Full Control
/d User
Denies access for the specified user.
/?
Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
Use the following table to interpret the results. Output ACE applies to
OI This folder and files
CI This folder and subfolders
IO The ACE does not apply to the current file/directory.
No output message This folder only
(IO)(CI) This folder, subfolders and files
(OI)(CI)(IO) Subfolders and files only
(CI)(IO) Subfolders only
(OI)(IO) Files only
You can use wildcards (that is, ? and *) to specify multiple files.
You can specify more than one user.
Formatting legend
Format Meaning
Italic Information that the user must supply
Bold Elements that the user must type exactly as shown
Ellipsis (...) Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line
Between brackets ([]) Optional items
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} Set of choices from which the user must choose only one
Courier font Code or program output
Copying files from CD to a drive will copy the read only attribute. You will then have to change this attribute when the files are on the drive (unles you use XCOPY and the /k switch to copy from CD).
HOW TO: Remove the Read-Only Attribute While You Copy Files from a CD-ROM in Windows 2000 (Q323002)
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)
From a Command prompt use the ATTRIB command.
Displays or changes file attributes.
This command displays, sets, or removes the Read-Only, Archive, System, and Hidden attributes assigned to files or directories.
Syntax
ATTRIB [+R|-R] [+A|-A] [+S|-S] [+H|-H][[drive:][path]filename] [/S]
To display all attributes of all files in the current directory, use the following syntax:
ATTRIB
Parameter
[drive:][path]filename
Specifies the location and name of the file(s) you want to process.
Switches
+R
Sets the Read-Only file attribute.
-R
Clears the Read-Only file attribute.
+A
Sets the Archive file attribute.
-A
Clears the Archive file attribute.
+S
Sets the file as a System file.
-S
Clears the System file attribute.
+H
Sets the file as a Hidden file.
-H
Clears the Hidden file attribute.
/S
Processes files in the current directory and all of its subdirectories.
CACLS(Change Access Control Lists)
Managing System Information from the command line.
Command-line tools must be run at the prompt of the Cmd.exe command interpreter. To open Command Prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK. To view help at the command-line, at the command prompt, type the following:
CommandName /?
CACLS Displays or modifies discretionary access control list (DACL) files.
Syntax
cacls FileName [/t] [/e] [/c] [/g User
ermission] [/r User [...]] [/p Userermission [...]] [/d User [...]]Parameters
FileName
Required. Displays DACLs of specified files.
/t
Changes DACLs of specified files in the current directory and all subdirectories.
/e
Edits a DACL instead of replacing it.
/c
Continues to change DACLs, ignoring errors.
/g User
ermission Grants access rights to the specified user. The following table lists valid values for permission. Value Description
n None
r Read
w Write
c Change (Write)
f Full Control
/r User
Revokes access rights for the specified user.
/p User
ermission Replaces access rights for the specified user. The following table lists valid values for permission. Value Description
n None
r Read
w Write
c Change (Write)
f Full Control
/d User
Denies access for the specified user.
/?
Displays help at the command prompt.
Remarks
Use the following table to interpret the results. Output ACE applies to
OI This folder and files
CI This folder and subfolders
IO The ACE does not apply to the current file/directory.
No output message This folder only
(IO)(CI) This folder, subfolders and files
(OI)(CI)(IO) Subfolders and files only
(CI)(IO) Subfolders only
(OI)(IO) Files only
You can use wildcards (that is, ? and *) to specify multiple files.
You can specify more than one user.
Formatting legend
Format Meaning
Italic Information that the user must supply
Bold Elements that the user must type exactly as shown
Ellipsis (...) Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line
Between brackets ([]) Optional items
Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} Set of choices from which the user must choose only one
Courier font Code or program output
Copying files from CD to a drive will copy the read only attribute. You will then have to change this attribute when the files are on the drive (unles you use XCOPY and the /k switch to copy from CD).
HOW TO: Remove the Read-Only Attribute While You Copy Files from a CD-ROM in Windows 2000 (Q323002)
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