Unable to remove read-only attribute from folders

I went to my root directory, Documents, where my files are stored and unchecked the ReadOnly box and clicked Apply. It ran a status update bar after the warning that it would apply to all folders and subfolders. I thought it had been done, but when I went back in to verify the Read Only box was unchecked it remained.

See Igor Leyko's earlier reply. The "Read-only" box in the Properties dialog for folders DOES NOT MEAN that the folder is "read only." Folders can not be "read only." The Read-only attribute is only used by Windows Explorer (File Manager) 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.

The "Read-only" box in the Properties dialog for folders has 3 states: filled-in, blank, and checked.

It's "normal" state is filled-in. This has no bearing on whether anything is "read only."

If you click the box and it then shows clear and you then click the "Apply" button, the files contained within the folder (and, if you select the option, files contained in sub-folders) will have their read-only attribute cleared. Once you do this, the read-only box on the folder's property sheet returns to its filled-in appearance.

If you click the box and click it once again so that a check appears in the box and you then click the "Apply" button, the files contained within the folder (and, if you select the option, files contained in sub-folders) will have their read-only attribute set. Once you do this, the read-only box on the folder's property sheet returns to its filled-in appearance.

Thanks Raniel.

I have tried this. It all ran perfectly and updated the OS but the problem still exists

Hi EricParker25,

Apologies if the suggested methods didn't work for you.

Since the issue still persist, kindly perform a repair install of your Windows.

1. Download the media creation tool here: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win... (click on "Download tool now") and wait for the download to finish
2. Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus, then open the tool and select the option "Upgrade this PC now".
3. Wait until your machine goes to the process of repair install. There should be no worries in performing it since you will select the option to keep your files during the process.

Please let me know how it goes. Thank you.

Hi Raniel, thank you for the reply. Unfortunately the problem remains, even under the admin account.

Thank you for the help, Eric

Good day! I'm Raniel, an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

Kindly take ownership of the file/folder, then check if you'll be able to remove the read-only option. Please see this article as a guide: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-take-ownersh...

If that didn't work, kindly enable the "built-in" administrator account to isolate the issue:

1. On your search bar, type command prompt and select "run as administrator"
2. On the command prompt window, type net user administrator /active:yes and press Enter
3. Reboot your machine, then login to your admin account, and check if you'll encounter the same issue.

Note: If you don't encounter the issue on the built-in administrator account, I suggest that you create a new user account (go through the steps under "My computer is in a workgroup") . Please refer to this article as a guide: https://support.microsoft.com/help/14039/window...

I hope this helps. Good luck!

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