Windows 7 - Can't change read-only

[Ennio]

Hi everybody

I read several things on the internet trying to find a solution for the problem that I can't change the "read-only" spec for folders in Windows 7. Unchecking it doesn't help: after re-checking the folder stays (partially) "read-only". Maybe one of you has an answer?

I tried it with a new administrator account, no luck. Also I already tried Attribute Changer. Don't know what to do.

Thanks
Ennio

[hello_hello]

I'm pretty sure XP is the same (well it is, I just tried it). Is it causing you a problem?

Apparently Windows basically ignores the read only attribute for folders in terms of being able to read and write to them. Some old software might have issues, but I've not used any in a long time.

I can't remember why the folder read only attribute stays "partially" ticked. XP sometimes uses the read only attribute for customized folders so I assume later Windows versions also do. As an experiment (I've not thought about it in years) I just stuck a simple desktop.ini file in a folder to tell it to use a customized icon. The folder icon changed when I used Xplorer2 to change the folder's properties to read only and likewise it went back to the default icon when I unchecked read only, so the attribute was changing, but according to Windows Explorer the attribute stayed partially grey. I think Windows Explorer is hiding the truth from you.

I vaguely remember reading something about file sharing being enabled having an effect on the way the read-only attribute displays for folders, and according to this there's a registry entry which can be changed to stop Windows (well at least XP) from using it to identify customized folders (no idea if it effects Explorer misleading you), but unless it's causing you a problem I'd pretend I'd never noticed it in the first place. When it comes to computers I've learned to do that a lot.... so I can sleep at night.

[Bjs]

Take ownership of folders is what you must do ... simply unchecking that common option box dose not work on all

[Ennio]

The registry edit in WinXP that hello_hello posted didn't work for Windows 7.

Taking ownership itself succeeded. I checked if I had "full control" in permissions, but nevertheless unchecking read-only didn't help after re-checking. Am I doing something wrong, Bjs?

Somewhere I read to clear an attribute. Playing around with the "ATTRIB" command prompt trying to clear forever the read-only attribute, I created a folder named "TEST FOLDER" on my J:\ drive.

I ran command prompt window (as administrator) and typed this:

ATTRIB -R J:\TEST FOLDER /S

The window returned this error: "Parameter format not correct -"

Someone please tell me what I do wrong?

Thanks

Ennio

[usually_quiet]

Try
ATTRIB -R J:\"TEST FOLDER" /S

[jagabo]

Attrib -r "j:\test folder" /s

[Ennio]

Try
ATTRIB -R J:\"TEST FOLDER" /S

Error: File not found - J:\TEST FOLDER

Attrib -r "j:\test folder" /s

Error: File not found - J:\test folder


Now I tried ATTRIB -R "J:\TEST FOLDER" /S /D because the " /D" at the end includes folders too, it says. No errors but don't know if it did something. At least, still no luck

[usually_quiet]

Every folder on a Windows 7 system is likely to be marked read-only. That attribute can't be changed for any of them that I have tried, but it is not really problem. Windows treats the read-only attribute for folders differently than the read-only attribute for files. According to Microsoft, Windows only uses the attribute for customizing the way some folders are viewed in Windows Explorer. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

Obeying the read-only tag on individual files but ignoring the read-only tag on folders makes sense if you want to create an OS that (to a limited extent) can protect the ignorant from doing stupid things, like making a folder read-only and then using a program that needs to write files to that folder in order to function.

[Ennio]

A quote from that article says:

<quote>Windows stores file and folder attributes in the file system with the file and folder name, extension, date and time stamps, and other information. The Read-only check box for folders is not available because it does not apply to the folder. You can use this check box to set the Read-only attribute for files in the folder. However, you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set. To determine the attributes that are set on a folder, or to change these attributes, you must use the Attrib command at a command prompt.</quote>

This explains some things indeed.


I found out that a new harddrive I installed was owned by SYSTEM? I changed the ownership into Administrators. Is this the right thing to do?

[drjtech]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

Unlike the Read-only attribute for a file, the Read-only attribute for a folder is typically ignored by Windows, Windows components and accessories, and other programs. For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer.

Warning If you remove the Read-only or System attribute from a folder, it may appear as a ordinary folder and some customizations may be lost. For example, Windows customizes the Fonts folder and provides a special folder view that permits you to hide variations, such as bold and italic. It also permits you to change the folder's view settings in ways that are specific to fonts. If you remove the Read-only and System attributes of the Fonts folder, these customized view settings are not available. For folders that you have customized by using the Customize tab of the folder's Properties dialog box, the folder icon and other other customizations may be lost when you remove the Read-only attribute.

[Ennio]

Yes, I read the warning, thanks.

Now, the article says <quote>However, you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set. To determine the attributes that are set on a folder, or to change these attributes, you must use the Attrib command at a command prompt.</quote>

When I type ATTRIB /? it shows

ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [+I | -I]
[drive:][path][filename] [/S [/D] [/L]]

+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute.
R Read-only file attribute.
A Archive file attribute.
S System file attribute.
H Hidden file attribute.
I Not content indexed file attribute.
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process.
/S Processes matching files in the current folder
and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders as well.
/L Work on the attributes of the Symbolic Link versus
the target of the Symbolic Link

Maybe I am missing something, but with what command can I determine which attributes are set for a folder or file then?

[jagabo]

Maybe I am missing something, but with what command can I determine which attributes are set for a folder or file then?

Don't use any switches at all. The default is to just show the attributes. To change attributes you must run the Command Prompt as Administrator.

[Cauptain]

Hi everybody

I read several things on the internet trying to find a solution for the problem that I can't change the "read-only" spec for folders in Windows 7. Unchecking it doesn't help: after re-checking the folder stays (partially) "read-only". Maybe one of you has an answer?

I tried it with a new administrator account, no luck. Also I already tried Attribute Changer. Don't know what to do.

Thanks
Ennio

Easy.

Download HIREN BOOT CD 15.1, boot, select this, run mini-xp, open computer, click in desired folder, button 2 on mouse, revoked all permissions and attribs. End.


Claudio

[drjtech]

What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by clearing the Read Only attribute? If you can create files in the folder, then it is not read-only.

I'm pretty sure Windows Explorer still shows a grayed out check mark whether the Read-only attribute is set or clear. Remember, "you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set."

[usually_quiet]

I found out that a new harddrive I installed was owned by SYSTEM? I changed the ownership into Administrators. Is this the right thing to do?

It is OK to change ownership for a storage drive, but not a boot drive.

[Ennio]

What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by clearing the Read Only attribute... Remember, "you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set."

It's becoming clear I think. I encountered some problems trying to adjust a VOB. Now I'm aware that this had to do with the newly installed harddrive set to "SYSTEM ownership". Thanks.

It is OK to change ownership for a storage drive, but not a boot drive.

Clear. Thank you also.


I am coming from XP and take some things for granted. Windows 7 is pretty new to me. For example I found out the hard way that both analogue - and digital output don't work simultaneously (I solved that issue btw).

Can you guys tell me some more other crazy things to watch out for?


Cheers

Ennio

[Cauptain]

[QUOTE=Ennio;2172548]

I am coming from XP and take some things for granted. Windows 7 is pretty new to me. For example I found out the hard way that both analogue - and digital output don't work simultaneously (I solved that issue btw).

Can you guys tell me some more other crazy things to watch out for?

1 - Dowload Hiren Boot CD 15.1

2 - Boot your HBCD on PC.

3 - Looks the screenshots below:








4 - Reboot. Try & reply.


Claudio

[Ennio]

Thank you Cauptain,

As I try to understand your screenshots, maybe there will be unwanted consequences in eg. user-interfacial lay-outs or introducing possibilities like accidentally editing/deleting system files/folders.

Before I try this, can these changes made undone again should I want to?


Cheers

Ennio

[Cauptain]

Thank you Cauptain,

As I try to understand your screenshots, maybe there will be unwanted consequences in eg. user-interfacial lay-outs or introducing possibilities like accidentally editing/deleting system files/folders.

Before I try this, can these changes made undone again should I want to?


Cheers

Ennio

Yes. You can.

Before any step, go to properties and print "all users", after this if you need, only named 'all users" again.





Claudio

[fritzi93]

Can you guys tell me some more other crazy things to watch out for?

Sure. You're not really the administrator of your own computer.

To have full control, you must activate the "Hidden" or "Real" Administrator account.

If you have Win7 Pro, you can do it this way:

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/access-the-real-administrator-accou...windows-7/3656

A couple other ways here:

http://www.tomstricks.com/how-to-activate-hidden-windows-7-administrator-account/

I had a problem with permissions similar to yours when I set up the computer on which I'm typing this. Nothing already mentioned worked (didn't try the boot CD mentioned above). Now, it may be that my turning UAC off had something to do with it, as you can normally work through such problems, supposedly.

Anyway, I activated the hidden administrator, fixed my problems, and then disabled it. You defeat part of the purpose of the enhanced security in Win7 by leaving it enabled. That's my understanding of it, anyway.

Good luck.

[jagabo]

All you have to do is run the Command Prompt as Administrator (right click on Command Prompt, select Run As Administrator). Then you can change the attributes with Attrib.

[Ennio]

Yes. You can.

Before any step, go to properties and print "all users", after this if you need, only named 'all users" again.


[Attachment 13032 - Click to enlarge]



Claudio

I am not sure I follow you, Cauptain.

Sure. You're not really the administrator of your own computer.

To have full control, you must activate the "Hidden" or "Real" Administrator account.

If you have Win7 Pro, you can do it this way:

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/access-the-real-administrator-accou...windows-7/3656 ...

I remember with XP that in the welcome-screen you could log in as "THE ADMINISTRATOR" (so-to-say) with "Ctr+Alt+Del". This doesn't work now. Now I know why.

Thanks a bunch

All you have to do is run the Command Prompt as Administrator ...

Yes, I did that jagabo. At that time I didn't realize that <quote>"...you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set..."</quote>

Running the command prompt as administrator didn't seem to do the trick for me as I re-checked in Explorer whether the folder was/wasnot hidden.

I think I got it now.

Thank you all guys


Ennio

[jagabo]

All you have to do is run the Command Prompt as Administrator ...

Yes, I did that jagabo. At that time I didn't realize that <quote>"...you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine whether a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set..."</quote>

Running the command prompt as administrator didn't seem to do the trick for me as I re-checked in Explorer whether the folder was/wasnot hidden.

Not only can you not change it from Explorer, you can't tell if the folder is read-only or not (the option may appear ticked but that doesn't mean the folder is read only). Check it with ATTRIB. But Windows seems to use something in addition to the folder attribute for some files, like "Program Files (x86)".

[Cauptain]

I am not sure I follow you, Cauptain.


Ennio

Relax my friend.

After all his attempts fail, go to the procedure, that is 100% guaranteed.



Claudio

[Ennio]

@ jagabo,

When I type ATTRIB /? it shows

ATTRIB [+R | -R] [+A | -A ] [+S | -S] [+H | -H] [+I | -I]
[drive:][path][filename] [/S [/D] [/L]]

+ Sets an attribute.
- Clears an attribute.
R Read-only file attribute.
A Archive file attribute.
S System file attribute.
H Hidden file attribute.
I Not content indexed file attribute.
[drive:][path][filename]
Specifies a file or files for attrib to process.
/S Processes matching files in the current folder
and all subfolders.
/D Processes folders as well.
/L Work on the attributes of the Symbolic Link versus
the target of the Symbolic Link

* Maybe I am missing something, but with what command can I determine which attributes are set for a folder or file then?

I think I miss-interpret something. With the shown commands I think I can set or clear an attribute.
* My question here was: "... with what command can I determine (check) what attributes are currently set/cleared?"

Cheers

Relax my friend.

After all his attempts fail, go to the procedure, that is 100% guaranteed.

Claudio

I truly appreciate your help, Cauptain, but it is the procedure that dazzles me. Excuse me for not understanding. I am looking at a properties screenshot of Microsoft Office? I don't understand the "printing" of users nor the thing to do if things go wrong. Maybe we are having a language-related communication problem here. Can you try to explain again Cauptain?

Maybe someone else understands what Cauptain is trying to tell me and wanna jump in?


Thanks
Ennio

[jagabo]

* My question here was: "... with what command can I determine (check) what attributes are currently set/cleared?"

I already answered that. You use ATTRIB without any switches. By default it doesn't show folder attributes. In those cases you have to type the name of the folder:

ATTRIB "C:\Program Files"

[Ennio]

... Check it with ATTRIB...

Aaah got it. I read it as you meant ATTRIB as "the whole tool", not the specific command itself.

Clear now

Thanks jagabo