Read-Only

[Guest]

I've created a directory in C: that I need to remove the "Read-Only"
attribute from so that a program, when being used on an account with limited
privelages, can write to it. On the admin account, in the folder properties,
there is a green box inside the checkbox. I remove it, hit apply, but the
program on the limited account still can not write to the folder. When I go
back, the box is ticked back in the "Read-Only" checkbox. Out of curiousity,
I clicked the checkbox once (which made it empty). Clicked again, but a check
in it (as expected). Clicked again, the box returned. One last time, the box
was cleared. I applied the settings, but instead of trying again, I
immediately went back in. The box was already back in "Read-Only" How do I
make this folder (and only this folder) NOT Read-Only? Thanks in advance!

 

[Guest]

Nevermind.

Resolution found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

(Figures I'd find it after I posted. I've been searching for 3 days! Thanks
anyways!)

 

[Haggis]

Nevermind.

Resolution found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

(Figures I'd find it after I posted. I've been searching for 3 days!
Thanks
anyways!)

good going :> yup "read only" on folders is not available

 

[Charlie Tame]

Thank you for posting your successful result, it may help a lot of others
who are searching for the problem as posts here are archived by Google
etc....

Charlie

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You did not read the article.

You Cannot View the Read-Only attribute with Windows Explorer.

No, all of your folders are NOT Read-only. Some of them are. Like
special folders and folders that you have customized.

Windows Explorer does not allow you to view or change a folder's Read-only
or System attribute. Changing these attributes can break special folders
and screw up any of your folder customizations. You can only view or change
a folder's Read-only or System attributes by using the attrib command.

So why do you think that all of your folders are Read-only?

Read-only for folders does not mean Read-only like it does with files.

A file that is marked Read-only can be read, but it cannot be changed or
deleted.

You can delete, rename, move or change a folder that has the Read-only
attribute set.

For folders the Read-only and System attributes are used by Windows Explorer
to determine whether a folder is a special folder or whether you have
customized the folder using the Customize tab of Folder Properties.

Special folders include:
Cookies, Control Panel, Desktop, Downloaded Program Files, Favorites, Fonts,
History, My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, My Videos, Recycle Bin, Shared
Documents, Shared Music, Shared Pictures, Shared Videos, SendTo, Start Menu,
Startup, Temporary Internet Files, etc.

When a folder has the Read-Only attribute set, Windows Explorer reads the
Desktop.ini of that folder to see if any special folder settings need to be
set. That is all Read-only means for a folder.

The Read-only check box in Folder Properties does NOT apply to the folder.

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 Read-only check box indicates whether the files in the folder are
Read-only, NOT the folder. If you select this check box all of the files
in the folder will be Read-only. If you clear the check box, none of the
files in the folder will be Read-only. If the check appears green or gray,
then some of the files in that folder may be Read-only.

If the check appears green or gray, it indicates either a mixed (some of the
files may be Read-only) or undetermined condition. Windows Explorer
displays the green or gray check because it would take too long to verify
the state of the read-only attribute for every file in the folder.

The System attribute serves to protect files from accidental deletion.

The System file attribute by default is set by the operating system or some
other program to mark files that are essentially important for proper
functioning of system.

The System attribute is usually used jointly with Hidden and Read-only
attributes to provide maximum protection of system files. The System
attribute is usually regarded by programs as a mandatory rule which forbids
any actions to be taken upon files or folders marked with this attribute.

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