Read attrib set to read only on all folders and cannot be changed

[Neil H]

All of a sudden all of the folders have their read attrib set to read
only and when I uncheck it to remove that setting it appears to work but
when I check it, it is right back to read only. I have used Windows
Explorer and the attrib DOS command both to try to eliminate this
problem but neither will make the change permanently. It apparently
changes back instantly. I have run AVG and Spybot and both report no
problem and the MS knowledgebase has a removal tool for a worm that has
properties very similar to my problem so I ran that and it found nothing.

Thanks for any help,
Neil

 

[Neil H]

I dont know if this is important but the Read check box in the
Properties dialog for the folders in Explorer is greyed-out but has the
check in it and it can be unchecked but then it reverts right back.

 

[GTS]

All of a sudden all of the folders have their read attrib set to read only
and when I uncheck it to remove that setting it appears to work but when I
check it, it is right back to read only. I have used Windows Explorer and
the attrib DOS command both to try to eliminate this problem but neither
will make the change permanently. It apparently changes back instantly. I
have run AVG and Spybot and both report no problem and the MS
knowledgebase has a removal tool for a worm that has properties very
similar to my problem so I ran that and it found nothing.

Thanks for any help,
Neil

If the 'Read Only" box is colored in but not checked, that is normal. See
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

 

[Twayne]

All of a sudden all of the folders have their read attrib set to read
only and when I uncheck it to remove that setting it appears to work
but when I check it, it is right back to read only. I have used
Windows Explorer and the attrib DOS command both to try to eliminate
this problem but neither will make the change permanently. It
apparently changes back instantly. I have run AVG and Spybot and
both report no problem and the MS knowledgebase has a removal tool
for a worm that has properties very similar to my problem so I ran
that and it found nothing.
Thanks for any help,
Neil

What you're seeing is "normal". I forget the reasoning behind it, but
folders will always appear to have the read-only bit set on the hard
drive. It is not read-only to the user though: As long as it isn't a
System folder (or file, for that matter), it can be deleted. You cannot
clear that attribute on a folder and it does nothing to mess you up w/r
to deleting folders, etc..
Trying to delete any system folder OR file however, will be
disallowed by windows; users are not able to modify or delete those
files. You can often copy some of them, but that's about all windows
will let you do to them.

This should help confirm what I said above:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

 

[Jim]

All of a sudden all of the folders have their read attrib set to read only
and when I uncheck it to remove that setting it appears to work but when I
check it, it is right back to read only. I have used Windows Explorer and
the attrib DOS command both to try to eliminate this problem but neither
will make the change permanently. It apparently changes back instantly. I
have run AVG and Spybot and both report no problem and the MS
knowledgebase has a removal tool for a worm that has properties very
similar to my problem so I ran that and it found nothing.

Thanks for any help,
Neil

You don't have a problem as Windows ignores this box. And, the behavior is
most assuredly not new.
Jim