Read-only means nothing for folders. Only a file can be Read-only.
It doesn't matter what you do or how you do it. The Read-only check mark
will be in the gray/green state for Folder Properties. You have to open the
folder and look at the File Properties to really see what's what. I pay no
attention to the state of the Read-only box on Folder Properties. As you
can see, it's a waste of time.
[[In most cases, when you open the properties dialog box for a folder, the
Read-Only check box will contain a green square. This indicates either a
mixed or undetermined condition. Windows displays this green square because
it would take too long to check the state of the read-only attribute for
every file in the folder. ]] Even if there is only one file in the folder.
;-)
From...
Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out Deluxe, Second Edition
Author Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, Craig Stinson
http://www.microsoft.com/products/i...216cbfc3-ff30-42db-9c32-995a75dfafbe&type=ovr
Try this...
Create a New Folder
Open the New Folder
Create a New Text Document inside that folder
Close the New Folder
Select New Folder Properties and change the Read-only check mark from
gray/green to solid black
Click Apply
You get the Confirm Attribute Changes message
[[You have chosen to make the following attribute changes: set read-only
Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files]]
Click OK twice
Open the folder and look at the Properties of the New Text Document.txt
Read-only will be solid black
Close New Text Document.txt Properties
Close New Folder
Select New Folder Properties and change the Read-only check mark from
gray/green to clear
Click Apply
You get the Confirm Attribute Changes message
[[You have chosen to make the following attribute changes: unset read-only
Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files]]
Click OK twice
Open the folder and look at the Properties of the New Text Document.txt
Read-only will be clear
-----
Confirm Attribute Changes
-----
You have chosen to make the following attribute changes:
set read-only or unset read-only
Do you want to apply this change to this folder only, or do you want to
apply it to all subfolders and files as well?
0 Apply changes to this folder only
0 Apply changes to this folder, subfolders and files
-----
Read-only means nothing for folders. Only a file can be Read-only.
The Read-only check box for folders is there for convenience, it allows you
to change the Read-only attribute of all the files contained in that folder.
The HELP question mark (?) explains it this way.
[[Specifies whether the files in this folder are read-only, which means that
they cannot be changed or accidentally deleted.
For multiple folders, if you select this check box all of the files in the
folders will be read-only. If you clear the check box, none of the files in
the selected folders will be read-only.]]
---
[[Apply the read-only attribute to folder contents
A folder itself cannot be made read-only. Nevertheless, the properties
dialog box for a folder does include a read-only check box. You can use
this check box to set or clear the read-only attribute for all existing
files in the selected folder. This action has no bearing on files that you
create subsequently.
In most cases, when you open the properties dialog box for a folder, the
Read-Only check box will contain a green square. This indicates either a
mixed or undetermined condition. Windows displays this green square because
it would take too long to check the state of the read-only attribute for
every file in the folder. To apply the read-only attribute to the contents
of a folder, click the check box until a check mark appears. To clear the
attribute, click the check box until it is empty. When you leave the dialog
box, Windows asks whether you want to apply your action to subfolders and
files. Be sure you select this option; if you select Apply Changes To This
Folder Only, nothing at all happens.]]
From...
Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out Deluxe, Second Edition
Author Ed Bott, Carl Siechert, Craig Stinson
http://www.microsoft.com/products/i...216cbfc3-ff30-42db-9c32-995a75dfafbe&type=ovr
-----
[[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.]]
[[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.]]
Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/
-----
The gray/green state means...
[[Microsoft calls this a tri-mode flag. When it has gray in the background,
it indicates that some file or folder anywhere under that particular folder
has been set to Read-only.
This checkmark does not actually control the Read-only attribute on the
child files and folder. It just displays their status.]]
Rally 'Round the Tri-Mode Flag
http://www.mcpmag.com/columns/article.asp?EditorialsID=652
If you uncheck the Read-Only attribute, Windows will prompt you to confirm
your changes.
-----
You have chosen to make the following attribute change(s):
unset read-only
Do you want to apply this change to this folder only, or do you want to
apply it to all subfolders and files as well?
-----
Click the option that you want, and then click OK.
---
Basically this means nothing for folders.
[[Windows Explorer uses the Read-Only attribute to determine whether or not
a folder is customized.]]
Unable to Remove Read-Only Attribute from Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/
You can't remove the read-only attribute from a folder?
http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBG/TIP3200/rh3212.htm
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421
--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
In
