All WinXP files are "Read Only"

[Iconoclast]

When I go to Windows Explorer and check the attribute of any file or folder
in any drive, they all show as "Read Only".

However, I have no trouble modifying any of these files. There are no
warnings or refusals when I save any changes or delete files. If I take the
checkmark out of the Read Only box, Windows put is right back.

Is this normal in WinXP Pro?

 

[Sharon F]

When I go to Windows Explorer and check the attribute of any file or folder
in any drive, they all show as "Read Only".

However, I have no trouble modifying any of these files. There are no
warnings or refusals when I save any changes or delete files. If I take the
checkmark out of the Read Only box, Windows put is right back.

Is this normal in WinXP Pro?

Yes, it's normal. There are now three states to the read only box on an XP
system using NTFS: read only, read and indeterminate. This last one means
that permissions or policies *may* be protecting a file in that folder.

Note: There are some folders in XP that *are* read only. Since this
attribute should make no difference to well behaved programs, Windows uses
it to add and preserve customizations that a user adds to a folder. You can
always check what existing attributes are using the command line interface
or by displaying the attributes in Explorer's Details view.

More info here:
You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326549

 

[Iconoclast]

Sharon, you are a life saver. This thing was driving me crazy. Iwas ready to
run a "repair" but that would not have made any difference.

Looks like you are the only person who knew about this problem.

Thank you

 

[Sharon F]

Sharon, you are a life saver. This thing was driving me crazy. Iwas ready to
run a "repair" but that would not have made any difference.

Looks like you are the only person who knew about this problem.

Thank you

You're very welcome, Walter. It drove me crazy too until I found the
information about it. Am glad to pass it along.