read only folders

[Glenn Copeland]

I am not able to change the read only attribute on a
specific file folder and subfolders.
It appears to work, but when you go back to the folder
properties, it still shows to be read only.
Please help.
This is on a local machine.

 

[purplehaz]

XP just marks all folders read-only by default, BUT, the folders are not
read-only and
should work as normal. Just ignore the read-only mark. If you have a piece
of software that is having probs writing to a folder then try to get an xp
complatable version of the program. Or post the exact probs your having.
Most likely if it is a well written app then is it not the read-only check
box, more likely a permissions setting.

Here is some info on it:

XP makes folders read-only by design. In XP the read only attribute
is only used by explorer to see if the folder is a special or a system
folder. Read up on it:
For XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549
or for other win versions:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;256614

File permissions info:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

 

[David Candy]

Actually read only is NOT the default. A new folder will not have RO set and most folders also do not have it set. It is applied only where needed.

 

[purplehaz]

I just tried it on three different xp computers, local drives and on network
shares. All folders I create in explorer have the read-only box checked.

Actually read only is NOT the default. A new folder will not have RO set and
most folders also do not have it set. It is applied only where needed.

 

[David Candy]

Would you mind posting a screen shot (use > not prt screen) of attrib.

This is one I just created

C:\Documents and Settings\David Candy\Desktop>attrib "New Folder (2)"
C:\Documents and Settings\David Candy\Desktop\New Folder (2)

RO is not set (cos there would be an R at the beginning of the line).

I've run this experiment for years now and it's always the same. You aren't using the properties dialog are you, as that won't tell you the status of a folder. You need either the tweaks I post or attrib to play with or view RO on a folder.

I've had a deep interest in read only on folders for 8 years and 3 months (since August 95).

I've attached my tweaks. The vbs are used in sendto or as a drop target (drop a folder on them to report and optionally change). The reg files add attributes to infotips (only shows if one or more attributes are set - see nothing then no attributes are set) and tile info (but often other info pushes it off the three lines available - I have it set to show if room only - you can edit it.)

 

[Gary Davis]

If you click on a folder and then properties the RO is ALWAYS checked. This
is normal and has nothing to do with the files contained within the folder.
It only means that the folder name is RO not the files inside the folder.

 

[David Candy]

It is indeterminate, NOT checked. It is tri-state. Tick, grey tick, no tick. Grey tick renders as a green square in idiot mode. Don't believe me then click it three times.

 

[purplehaz]

No I'm strictly talking about viewing a folders properties in explorer. The
read-only box is always checked by default. This is what the op and any
other post I've seen on this issue is talking about(re-read his post, he
says when I go back into file properties the read-only is cheked). He is
talking about the file properties so most of your point/info is mute.
Usually they have probs writing to a folder, so they look at the folder
properties in explorer and the box is checked. They then try to uncheck it
and it doesn't stay unchecked cause its not really read-only, it just
displays that way. I think your experience with this has taken your thinking
way to far for such a simple problem as the op was asking about the
read-only check box when viewing a folder properties in explorer. He isn't
"viewing" the status of a folder any other way(and in my experience with
this question, the poster is always viewing the folder status via file
properties in explorer). And like I said in file properties in explorer the
read-only box is checked by default, even though the folder is not
read-only.

Would you mind posting a screen shot (use > not prt screen) of attrib.

This is one I just created

C:\Documents and Settings\David Candy\Desktop>attrib "New Folder (2)"
C:\Documents and Settings\David Candy\Desktop\New Folder (2)

RO is not set (cos there would be an R at the beginning of the line).

I've run this experiment for years now and it's always the same. You aren't
using the properties dialog are you, as that won't tell you the status of a
folder. You need either the tweaks I post or attrib to play with or view RO
on a folder.

I've had a deep interest in read only on folders for 8 years and 3 months
(since August 95).

I've attached my tweaks. The vbs are used in sendto or as a drop target
(drop a folder on them to report and optionally change). The reg files add
attributes to infotips (only shows if one or more attributes are set - see
nothing then no attributes are set) and tile info (but often other info
pushes it off the three lines available - I have it set to show if room
only - you can edit it.)

 

[purplehaz]

Not sure who your responding to here. I already know that and I already
posted the correct answer to the op.

 

[purplehaz]

Now your splitting hairs to try to cover yourself. The op and anyone else
asking this question thinks the green mark is the same as having the box
checked. That is why they think its checked and read-only cause the box is
colored in. Lets not split hairs here, just help the op with the info he
needs, not confuse him with attributes and different color marks or check
marks. We all knew what the op was asking(at least I did).

It is indeterminate, NOT checked. It is tri-state. Tick, grey tick, no tick.
Grey tick renders as a green square in idiot mode. Don't believe me then
click it three times.

 

[purplehaz]

Oh and btw - just wanted to say please dont take any of this as me saying
your wrong. You are correct, just that I knew what the op was asking. I'm
also going to change my default response to say the folder is marked as
indeterminate by default, unstead of read-only by default.

It is indeterminate, NOT checked. It is tri-state. Tick, grey tick, no tick.
Grey tick renders as a green square in idiot mode. Don't believe me then
click it three times.

 

[David Candy]

It's poor UI design. I got caught by this too a couple of years ago for a brief while (you'll never see me admit anything like this again - you're privileged).

People are reading it and making a reasonable assumption that a filled in square is set. But it's not. It looks identical to the Win 3.1 3D addin by MS (makes ticks look like filled in squares).

Assuming that Windows is supposed to be a OS that users discover features (as MS claims) I think it's important that people get told so they can apply to other dialog boxes that are also tri-state (nearly all in office are).

 

[purplehaz]

Ya I agree, poor design on the tri-state check box.

It's poor UI design. I got caught by this too a couple of years ago for a
brief while (you'll never see me admit anything like this again - you're
privileged).

People are reading it and making a reasonable assumption that a filled in
square is set. But it's not. It looks identical to the Win 3.1 3D addin by
MS (makes ticks look like filled in squares).

Assuming that Windows is supposed to be a OS that users discover features
(as MS claims) I think it's important that people get told so they can apply
to other dialog boxes that are also tri-state (nearly all in office are).

 

[Guest]

I truly enjoyed your rebuttals!
I finally understand what is going on with the green button. Just click three times.. isnt that what Dorothy did?
thanks again!