Read Only

[Bill H.]

There's something strange going on.

We've just set up a brand new XP Pro computer. When I look at the
properties of all the folders on the root of C: (after having found a couple
were like this) they all have a colored square in the "Read Only" option. I
click to remove, then go right back into properties, and there it is again.

I cannot rename those folders, but I can delete them.

Then, when I try to copy files/folders over from another computer into a
folder where most of these transferred files exist, I get an error about
"insufficient disk space" (which cannot be true), and something else.

The account we're using has all rights. Even when I create a brand new
folder, it has that colored box in the Read Only square, and I can't get rid
of it.

What gives? And how to fix?

Thanks.

 

[Val]

The read only attribute has no meaning for folders, you cannot set or unset
it. It doesn't matter.

No sure what to make of your foldeer renaming problem. Are you trying to
rename system created folders or user created ones?


Val

 

[Ricky]

Have a look here..
You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Read-only has nothing to do with it.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Do you get an error message when trying to rename a folder? Or what?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bill H.]

If no meaning for folders, why is it there?

These were user-created folders.

 

[Bill H.]

Yes, get error msg. I forget exactly what, but basically says I can't do
that. Disk full or insufficient rights I believe.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

If no meaning for folders, why is it there?

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.

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Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

insufficient rights would pertain to ownership.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

For Access Control Help/Permissions for files and folders

Paste the following line into Start | Run and click OK...

hh aclui.chm::/acl_special_permissions.htm

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Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Wesley Vogel]

The HELP question mark (?) explains Read-only for folders 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.]]
---

<quote>
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.
<quote>
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



--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In