Why do folders have the read-only attribute?

[Lew]

I'm running XP pro/sp2. When I create a folder it's read only attribute is
set. This affects the folder itself, not its contents. I can open the
properties dialog and clear the attribute, but when I close the dialog and
bring it back up, it's read-only all over again. So.... I'm asking TWO
questions:

1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder?

2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with
other processes.


-Lew

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I'm running XP pro/sp2. When I create a folder it's read only attribute is
set. This affects the folder itself, not its contents. I can open the
properties dialog and clear the attribute, but when I close the dialog and
bring it back up, it's read-only all over again. So.... I'm asking TWO
questions:

1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder?

2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with
other processes.

They aren't read-only by default. If you look at the check box, it is
neither checked nor unchecked. Rather it is an undetermined state.
Unfortunately the filled square has lead many to the same conclusion as you,
that the attribute is checked and therefore the folder is read-only. It is
poor UI design. You can verify the true attributes of a folder by using the
attrib command in a command prompt window.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[kurttrail]

I'm running XP pro/sp2. When I create a folder it's read only
attribute is set. This affects the folder itself, not its contents. I
can open the properties dialog and clear the attribute, but when I
close the dialog and bring it back up, it's read-only all over again.
So.... I'm asking TWO questions:

1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder?

2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering
with other processes.


-Lew

They aren't read-only, you just think they are. Try adding a new file
into a folder you think is read-only. Can you? Now try deleting that
file. Can you? If you can do both of those things, the the folder is
not read-only, is it?

So ignore it, or do you just enjoy being anal for the sake of it?

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Curmudgeon]

1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder?

So that it can't be accidentally deleted?

2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with
other processes.

Intefering HOW!?

Unless you're planning to delete the folder in the near future and
changing its attribute is a real hassle, I see no reason to worry about
this.

 

[Lew]

Mine definitely have a visible check mark in them.

 

[Lew]

I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute of the
folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only box.
-Lew

 

[Lew]

I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my
work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done.
-Lew

 

[Tom Porterfield]

I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my
work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done.

Have you tried dropping to the command window and checking/changing the
attribute from there?
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[Bob I]

The "check-mark" in the little read-only box in the "Folder Properties"
tab means zip to Windows. And has absolutely no bearing on what you as a
user can or can't do to the folder in Windows. The security tab is the
key to folder permissions.

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

I'm running XP pro/sp2. When I create a folder it's read only attribute is
set. This affects the folder itself, not its contents. I can open the
properties dialog and clear the attribute, but when I close the dialog and
bring it back up, it's read-only all over again. So.... I'm asking TWO
questions:

1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder?

2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with
other processes.


-Lew

A couple of things to note in the following KB article;
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

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. For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder
with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer. The Read-only and
System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer to determine whether the
folder is a special folder, such as a system folder that has its view
customized by Windows...

and

Some programs may display error messages when you try to save files to a
folder with the Read-only or System attribute. As a result, these programs
may not be able to save files to the folder.

See the workaround.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[kurttrail]

I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute
of the folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only
box. -Lew

No there is NOT "clearly a check mark in the read-only box!" It is
shaded, not checked.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to
my work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done.

This isn't a Windows problem, it is your problem.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[» mrtee «]

You do know that "Help and Support" is your friend correct?

I typed "read only" into the search box and this is only one of the
results:

Begin quote
You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 326549
Last Review : November 5, 2003
Revision : 5.1

This article was previously published under Q326549
For a Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows Millennium Edition,
Windows 98, and Windows 95 version of this article, see 256614.
On this page
SYMPTOMS
CAUSE
WORKAROUND
STATUS
MORE INFORMATION
APPLIES TO

SYMPTOMS
You may experience any of the following symptoms: . You cannot view or
change the Read-only or System attributes of a folder by using the
Properties dialog box for the folder. For example, you may experience the
following symptoms: . When you view the General tab of a folder's Properties
dialog box, the Read-only check box is not available, and there is no check
box to change the System attribute.
. You click to clear or click to select the Read-only check box
on the General tab of a folder's Properties dialog box. When you click OK or
Apply, you receive the following message:
Confirm Attribute Changes
You have chosen to make the following attribute changes:
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?
If you click Apply changes to this folder only, the Read-only
attribute is changed for all the files in the folder, but the Read-only
attribute is not changed for the folder, its subfolders, or any files in its
subfolders. If you click Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and
files, the Read-only attribute is changed for all files in the folder and
all files in the subfolders, but the Read-only attribute is not changed for
the folder or its subfolders.

. Some programs may display error messages when you try to save files
to a folder with the Read-only or System attribute. As a result, these
programs may not be able to save files to the folder.

Back to the top

CAUSE
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. For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder
with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer. The Read-only and
System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer to determine whether the
folder is a special folder, such as a system folder that has its view
customized by Windows (for example, My Documents, Favorites, Fonts,
Downloaded Program Files), or a folder that you customized by using the
Customize tab of the folder's Properties dialog box. As a result, Windows
Explorer does not allow you to view or change the Read-only or System
attributes of folders.

Note In some previous versions of Windows, you can change the Read-only
attribute for folders by using the Properties dialog box for the folder, but
no versions of Windows permit you to change the System attribute by using
Windows Explorer.
Back to the top

WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, use the Attrib command at a command prompt
(Cmd.exe) to view or remove the Read-only or System attributes of folders.
Type attrib /? at the command prompt to view the syntax for the Attrib
command.

Warning If you remove the Read-only or System attribute from a folder, it
may appear as a ordinary folder and some customizations may be lost. For
example, Windows customizes the Fonts folder and provides a special folder
view that permits you to hide variations, such as bold and italic. It also
permits you to change the folder's view settings in ways that are specific
to fonts. If you remove the Read-only and System attributes of the Fonts
folder, these customized view settings are not available. For folders that
you have customized by using the Customize tab of the folder's Properties
dialog box, the folder icon and other other customizations may be lost when
you remove the Read-only attribute.

If a program cannot save files to a folder with the Read-only attribute,
such as My Documents, change the Read-only attribute to System by using the
Attrib command at a command prompt.

For example, to change the Read-only attribute to System for the C:\Test
folder, use the following command:
attrib -r +s c:\test
Note that some programs may not operate correctly with folders that have the
System attribute set. To remove both the Read-only and System attributes
from the C:\Test folder, use the following command:
attrib -r -s c:\test
Back to the top

STATUS
This behavior is by design.
Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION
Windows stores file and folder attributes in the file system with the file
and folder name, extension, date and time stamps, and other information. 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. However, you cannot use Windows Explorer to determine
if a folder has the Read-only and System attributes set. To determine the
attributes that are set on a folder, or to change these attributes, you must
use the Attrib command from a command prompt.
Back to the top


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

APPLIES TO
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based
Systems
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
. Microsoft Windows XP Professional
. Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
. Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium)
. Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002
. Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition
. Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition

Back to the top

Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB326549
End quote

 

[Lew]

Kurt:
Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked.
-Lew

 

[Tom Pepper Willett]

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.

Tom

| Kurt:
| Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked.
| -Lew
| | > Lew wrote:
| >> I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute
| >> of the folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only
| >> box. -Lew
| >
| > No there is NOT "clearly a check mark in the read-only box!" It is
| > shaded, not checked.
| >
| > --
| > Peace!
| > Kurt
| > Self-anointed Moderator
| > microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
| > http://microscum.com/mscommunity
| > "Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
| > "Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
| >
|
|

 

[Lew]

Thanks, Jeff. That's the best 2¢ so far. Unfortunately, the command prompt
operation recommended at the end of the kb:
To remove both the Read-only and System attributes from the C:\Test
folder, use the following command:
attrib -r -s c:\test

....doesn't work either.

-Lew

 

[Lew]

Still doesn't work. See my response to mrtee.

A couple of things to note in the following KB article;
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/

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. For example, you can delete, rename, and
change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer.
The Read-only and System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer to
determine whether the folder is a special folder, such as a system folder
that has its view customized by Windows...

and

Some programs may display error messages when you try to save files to a
folder with the Read-only or System attribute. As a result, these programs
may not be able to save files to the folder.

See the workaround.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.

 

[kurttrail]

Kurt:
Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked.

Only on your computer, because of something you did.

Windows XP doesn't work like that.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

Kurt:
Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked.

Show us a picture of that! I want to see it checked and shaded.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Tom Porterfield]

Thanks, Jeff. That's the best 2¢ so far. Unfortunately, the command prompt
operation recommended at the end of the kb:
To remove both the Read-only and System attributes from the C:\Test
folder, use the following command:
attrib -r -s c:\test

...doesn't work either.

What does the screen report if you simply type in the following command:

attrib c:\test

Is it
R c:\test

Or do you just see
c:\test

Possibly an A in the first column.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.