Why do folders have the read-only attribute?

K

kurttrail

kurttrail said:
Show us a picture of that! I want to see it checked and shaded.
Click to expand...

Nevermind you have the windows set in classic mode.

Can you delete and rename a folder that has the read-only box 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"
 
T

Tom Porterfield

kurttrail said:
Show us a picture of that! I want to see it checked and shaded.
Click to expand...

Probably using classic theme where instead of being boxed in it appears
dimly checked. Still indicates undetermined and is completely meaningless
with regards to folders in XP. The only way to accurately determine if a
folder has the read-only attribute set in XP is to use attrib at the command
prompt.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.
 
K

kurttrail

Tom said:
Probably using classic theme where instead of being boxed in it
appears dimly checked. Still indicates undetermined and is
completely meaningless with regards to folders in XP. The only way
to accurately determine if a folder has the read-only attribute set
in XP is to use attrib at the command prompt.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom. I realized my mistake.

--
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"
 
M

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)

Perhaps you should be posting this question to one of the developer
newsgroups, there are several on this, the msnews.microsoft.com server.
Simply hit newsgroups on the toolbar, type developer in the search box and
press enter. You'll find all the developer groups on this server. You
might receive better help with what you are trying to do in a developer
group than in a user group.

--

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
 
J

Jim

Lew said:
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?
Click to expand...
All folders on my computer have the read-only attribute set. As far as I
know, all folders on all Windows computers have the read-only attribute set.
2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with
other processes.
Click to expand...
You can't. It could be that these "other processes" are trying to do
something with system owned folders but do not have the right to perform the
operation.
Jim
 
G

Guest

Where did you see the read only files? What were you doing when you came
across them?

In my personal experience with Microsoft OS's, the read only files are part
of the files that are needed by Windows to work properly, i.e( Boot Process,
etc......) Last week a customer dropped off her laptop to me. She claimed
that she could not boot into Windows. Which after my diagnosis was true. I
could not get the OS to allow me access to Safe Mode, Safe Mode with command
prompt, or Safe Mode with Networking. It would refuse to let me into the bios
also. I decided to scan the hard drive for possible viruses. At about half
way through the scan the anitivirus software picked up twelve viruses. When
the scan was complete the antivirus had highlighted all the names of the
viruses in red text. It also said that if the text are in red it means that
files are read only files, which the majority of the time are the OS's files,
so the antivirus software would not allow me to delete them. Hope this helps
and I am sure other folks have encountered this same problem. If anyone else
has an insight why it says that please drop me a line and I thank you in
advance.

:
 
L

Lew

These aren't system folders.
Jim said:
All folders on my computer have the read-only attribute set. As far as I
know, all folders on all Windows computers have the read-only attribute
set.
You can't. It could be that these "other processes" are trying to do
something with system owned folders but do not have the right to perform
the
operation.
Jim
Click to expand...
 
K

kurttrail

Lew said:
These aren't system folders.
Click to expand...

And I bet they don't work like they are read-only. No messages when
renaming or deleting.

The read-only attribute is meaningless when it comes to the folders
themselves.

--
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"
 
S

Steve N.

kurttrail said:
And I bet they don't work like they are read-only. No messages when
renaming or deleting.

The read-only attribute is meaningless when it comes to the folders
themselves.
Click to expand...

NUGS: Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes.

There _may_ be software that will see the RO attrib set and choke, hense
the MS advice to check/set attribs from cmd line if such is the case.

Steve
 
K

kurttrail

Bertie said:
kurttrail.

Do you enjoy being anal for the sake of it?
Click to expand...

LOL! How am I anal? I could care less about how Windows handles the
read-only attributes on folders.

So far Lew has yet to explain ANY specific problem that this is causing
him other than that he cannot control or understand 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"
 
N

NobodyMan

All folders on my computer have the read-only attribute set. As far as I
know, all folders on all Windows computers have the read-only attribute set.
Click to expand...

Actually, you can't set the r/o attribute onto a folder. Directories
are always open to be written to. This attribute, as displayed in
Explorer, means NOTHING. That's why the box is greyed. Greyed
options are either unavailable or don't mean anything.
You can't. It could be that these "other processes" are trying to do
something with system owned folders but do not have the right to perform the
operation.
Jim
Click to expand...
Nope. You can't "change" it because the attribute itself is
meaningless.
 
K

kurttrail

NobodyMan said:
Don't post binaries to a text newsgroup. I didn't want your crappy
pictures on my hard drive.
Click to expand...

LOL! Like anyone cares what you don't want on your harddrive. Please
come up with a more compelling reason than your own personal pet peeves!

--
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"
 
K

kurttrail

Steve said:
NUGS: Normally, Usually, Generally, Sometimes.

There _may_ be software that will see the RO attrib set and choke,
hense the MS advice to check/set attribs from cmd line if such is the
case.
Steve
Click to expand...

http://www.microscum.com/censored/200504271859/

http://www.microscum.com/censored/

Yeah, MS can censor me at a moments notice but true scum-sucking vermin
like Ron Grossi they leave on the server half the day.

--
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"
 
W

Wesley Vogel

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.

[[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 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


[[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/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
T

Tom Porterfield

just see:" It doesn't report any attributes set, I only see this in
explorer.
Click to expand...

So now do you believe that the folder is not read-only and that, as you
have been told and been directed to KB articles that spell it out, the
attrib command is the only way to see and set the read-only, and system,
attribute on folders. If attrib does not show R (read-only) then the
folder is not read only.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/
"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."

I don't know how else to explain it that will make it any clearer.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Similar Threads

XP Pro sp3 Unable to Change Read Only Folder Attribute - Help 4
Problem clearing directory's "Read Only" attribute 2
Unset read only attribute in folder 3
Read only folder 2
Unset read only attribute 5
Folders Read Only 3
NTFS - Changing Read-Only attribute on folder 5
read only folder 4

Top