can't encrypt/turn off read-only

[XP Home Newbie]

I recently bought a laptop with Windows XP Home Ed. on it.
I am new to XP, and totally new to administration, etc.
There is only one user name on the computer, mine, and it
is password protected. This means that file-sharing, etc.
is irrelevant to me, because there is nobody to share
with, and I have all the administrative powers.

I was looking around to get a feel for the O/S, and
noticed the encryption feature for files. However, for
every single file on my hard drive, wherever and whatever
it is, the encryption option/checkbox in it's 'properties'
is grayed out, i.e. disabled. It's not a private file, and
as I said, I have administrative control. Why is it
restricting me?

I noticed that a possible reason for this is that every
single file on my hard drive has the read-only checkbox
filled, meaning 'some files inside this one are read-
only' - I don't see why this would be the case for some of
the files I created which are EMPTY. The same goes for the
C drive itself - a filled read-only checkbox. So I went to
turn it off for one of my new, empty files - I click the
checkbox so it is clear, I click 'apply', I accept
Window's warning that this will make all the files within
the file I'm changing that WERE read-only not so - and it
looks like it's worked. However, when I close and reopen
the 'properties' window for the file in question,
the 'read-only' checkbox is filled again!!!!

Why is it doing it, and will making files non read-only
give me the option of encrypting them? If not, what will?
As I said, it's not private files (or special ones
like 'Windows' which XP may prefer me not to mess with)
that I'm trying to change, and I should have full Admin
authority.

My laptop isn't, and probably never will be connected to a
network or the internet. I reset the laptop completely
using Packard Bell's Recovery Program (destructive - i.e.
the computer was totally reset to when it left the
factory) to make sure that in the Windows XP setup I
didn't do anything bad with regard to security options,
and it didn't enlighten me.

Any help will be met with undying love.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I recently bought a laptop with Windows XP Home Ed. on it.
I am new to XP, and totally new to administration, etc.
There is only one user name on the computer, mine, and it
is password protected. This means that file-sharing, etc.
is irrelevant to me, because there is nobody to share
with, and I have all the administrative powers.

I was looking around to get a feel for the O/S, and
noticed the encryption feature for files. However, for
every single file on my hard drive, wherever and whatever
it is, the encryption option/checkbox in it's 'properties'
is grayed out, i.e. disabled. It's not a private file, and
as I said, I have administrative control. Why is it
restricting me?

I noticed that a possible reason for this is that every
single file on my hard drive has the read-only checkbox
filled, meaning 'some files inside this one are read-
only' - I don't see why this would be the case for some of
the files I created which are EMPTY. The same goes for the
C drive itself - a filled read-only checkbox. So I went to
turn it off for one of my new, empty files - I click the
checkbox so it is clear, I click 'apply', I accept
Window's warning that this will make all the files within
the file I'm changing that WERE read-only not so - and it
looks like it's worked. However, when I close and reopen
the 'properties' window for the file in question,
the 'read-only' checkbox is filled again!!!!

Why is it doing it, and will making files non read-only
give me the option of encrypting them? If not, what will?
As I said, it's not private files (or special ones
like 'Windows' which XP may prefer me not to mess with)
that I'm trying to change, and I should have full Admin
authority.

My laptop isn't, and probably never will be connected to a
network or the internet. I reset the laptop completely
using Packard Bell's Recovery Program (destructive - i.e.
the computer was totally reset to when it left the
factory) to make sure that in the Windows XP setup I
didn't do anything bad with regard to security options,
and it didn't enlighten me.

Any help will be met with undying love.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307877

This article describes how to use the Windows XP Encrypting File System
(EFS) feature to store files in an encrypted format on your hard disk.

Encryption is the process of converting data into a format that cannot be
read by others. You can use EFS to automatically encrypt your data when it
is stored on the hard disk.

*** The EFS feature is not included in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
***

=) Sorry.

And ignore the Read Only thing.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Only Windows XP Professional has the File Encryption System.

Windows XP Comparison Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I recently bought a laptop with Windows XP Home Ed. on it.
| I am new to XP, and totally new to administration, etc.
| There is only one user name on the computer, mine, and it
| is password protected. This means that file-sharing, etc.
| is irrelevant to me, because there is nobody to share
| with, and I have all the administrative powers.
|
| I was looking around to get a feel for the O/S, and
| noticed the encryption feature for files. However, for
| every single file on my hard drive, wherever and whatever
| it is, the encryption option/checkbox in it's 'properties'
| is grayed out, i.e. disabled. It's not a private file, and
| as I said, I have administrative control. Why is it
| restricting me?
|
| I noticed that a possible reason for this is that every
| single file on my hard drive has the read-only checkbox
| filled, meaning 'some files inside this one are read-
| only' - I don't see why this would be the case for some of
| the files I created which are EMPTY. The same goes for the
| C drive itself - a filled read-only checkbox. So I went to
| turn it off for one of my new, empty files - I click the
| checkbox so it is clear, I click 'apply', I accept
| Window's warning that this will make all the files within
| the file I'm changing that WERE read-only not so - and it
| looks like it's worked. However, when I close and reopen
| the 'properties' window for the file in question,
| the 'read-only' checkbox is filled again!!!!
|
| Why is it doing it, and will making files non read-only
| give me the option of encrypting them? If not, what will?
| As I said, it's not private files (or special ones
| like 'Windows' which XP may prefer me not to mess with)
| that I'm trying to change, and I should have full Admin
| authority.
|
| My laptop isn't, and probably never will be connected to a
| network or the internet. I reset the laptop completely
| using Packard Bell's Recovery Program (destructive - i.e.
| the computer was totally reset to when it left the
| factory) to make sure that in the Windows XP setup I
| didn't do anything bad with regard to security options,
| and it didn't enlighten me.
|
| Any help will be met with undying love.

 

[Drew Cooper [MSFT]]

Shenan and Carey addressed the EFS question already. I'll answer the
read-only one:

I believe you're seeing the checkbox on folders, not files. This KB
explains read-only and folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326549

 

[Guest]

You are correct but your answer is not helpful. I can't
upload any digital images onto my wife's laptop even
while in Administrator mode. The directories are read
only and access is denied.

-----Original Message-----
Shenan and Carey addressed the EFS question already. I'll answer the
read-only one:

I believe you're seeing the checkbox on folders, not files. This KB
explains read-only and folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;Q326549
--
Drew Cooper [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

I recently bought a laptop with Windows XP Home Ed. on it.
I am new to XP, and totally new to administration, etc.
There is only one user name on the computer, mine, and it
is password protected. This means that file-sharing, etc.
is irrelevant to me, because there is nobody to share
with, and I have all the administrative powers.

I was looking around to get a feel for the O/S, and
noticed the encryption feature for files. However, for
every single file on my hard drive, wherever and whatever
it is, the encryption option/checkbox in it's 'properties'
is grayed out, i.e. disabled. It's not a private file, and
as I said, I have administrative control. Why is it
restricting me?

I noticed that a possible reason for this is that every
single file on my hard drive has the read-only checkbox
filled, meaning 'some files inside this one are read-
only' - I don't see why this would be the case for some of
the files I created which are EMPTY. The same goes for the
C drive itself - a filled read-only checkbox. So I went to
turn it off for one of my new, empty files - I click the
checkbox so it is clear, I click 'apply', I accept
Window's warning that this will make all the files within
the file I'm changing that WERE read-only not so - and it
looks like it's worked. However, when I close and reopen
the 'properties' window for the file in question,
the 'read-only' checkbox is filled again!!!!

Why is it doing it, and will making files non read-only
give me the option of encrypting them? If not, what will?
As I said, it's not private files (or special ones
like 'Windows' which XP may prefer me not to mess with)
that I'm trying to change, and I should have full Admin
authority.

My laptop isn't, and probably never will be connected to a
network or the internet. I reset the laptop completely
using Packard Bell's Recovery Program (destructive - i.e.
the computer was totally reset to when it left the
factory) to make sure that in the Windows XP setup I
didn't do anything bad with regard to security options,
and it didn't enlighten me.

Any help will be met with undying love.

.

 

[Drew Cooper [MSFT]]

The read-only attribute has nothing to do with your problem. I was trying
to eliminate the red herring you were chasing. Sorry the answer wasn't
helpful.
--
Drew Cooper [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

You are correct but your answer is not helpful. I can't
upload any digital images onto my wife's laptop even
while in Administrator mode. The directories are read
only and access is denied.

-----Original Message-----
Shenan and Carey addressed the EFS question already. I'll answer the
read-only one:

I believe you're seeing the checkbox on folders, not files. This KB
explains read-only and folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;Q326549
--
Drew Cooper [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

I recently bought a laptop with Windows XP Home Ed. on it.
I am new to XP, and totally new to administration, etc.
There is only one user name on the computer, mine, and it
is password protected. This means that file-sharing, etc.
is irrelevant to me, because there is nobody to share
with, and I have all the administrative powers.

I was looking around to get a feel for the O/S, and
noticed the encryption feature for files. However, for
every single file on my hard drive, wherever and whatever
it is, the encryption option/checkbox in it's 'properties'
is grayed out, i.e. disabled. It's not a private file, and
as I said, I have administrative control. Why is it
restricting me?

I noticed that a possible reason for this is that every
single file on my hard drive has the read-only checkbox
filled, meaning 'some files inside this one are read-
only' - I don't see why this would be the case for some of
the files I created which are EMPTY. The same goes for the
C drive itself - a filled read-only checkbox. So I went to
turn it off for one of my new, empty files - I click the
checkbox so it is clear, I click 'apply', I accept
Window's warning that this will make all the files within
the file I'm changing that WERE read-only not so - and it
looks like it's worked. However, when I close and reopen
the 'properties' window for the file in question,
the 'read-only' checkbox is filled again!!!!

Why is it doing it, and will making files non read-only
give me the option of encrypting them? If not, what will?
As I said, it's not private files (or special ones
like 'Windows' which XP may prefer me not to mess with)
that I'm trying to change, and I should have full Admin
authority.

My laptop isn't, and probably never will be connected to a
network or the internet. I reset the laptop completely
using Packard Bell's Recovery Program (destructive - i.e.
the computer was totally reset to when it left the
factory) to make sure that in the Windows XP setup I
didn't do anything bad with regard to security options,
and it didn't enlighten me.

Any help will be met with undying love.

.