Read Only Folders

How are you determining that your folders have been marked as Read Only? Are you referring to the item labelled "Read-only (Only applies to files in the folder)"? If so, please note that item does NOT indicate that the folder is read-only (see details below).

Are you having a problem that led you to look at that somewhat misleading item? If so, please provide details about the actual issue you're having. Are you getting an error message when trying to save a file or something similar? Please provide details and preferably a screenshot.

Details regarding the "Read-only" item in folder properties:

Note that item is labelled "Read-only (Only applies to files in the folder)".

That means it has absolutely nothing to do with the read-only status of the folder itself. You can see that for yourself with the Attrib command. If you look carefully, you will see that the box is always a solid block, on ALL folders, even if there are zero files marked read-only within the folder.

It is, in fact, not an indicator at all! It is just a dual-purpose command, implemented as a checkbox. Microsoft should never have used a checkbox for a command because it just causes confusion (there are many other posts like yours).

This is all it does:

When you click that box clear, you're telling Windows that you want to unset read-only from any files that may be read-only within the folder and its subfolders. When you check the box, you're telling Windows you want to set all files within the folder and its subfolders to read-only. Whether you set or unset, it only affects files. The read-only state of the folder, and any of its subfolders, is not affected. Only files are affected.

So, the item labeled "Read-only (Only applies to files in the folder)" does not indicate anything.

Unless you are actually having some problem, you can completely ignore this item.

If you are having some problem, that is causing one or more files within a folder to be changed to read-only, then this item may be used to provide relief (possibly temporary) by unsetting the read-only attributes of files within the folder. The problem with this bad Microsoft interface design is that it is misleading you into believing that Windows "keeps resetting my folder to read-only". And that certainly distracts from finding the root cause of whatever problem you may be having.

Hello,

Double check using the tutorial below just to verify if the folder and its contents are read-only or not.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/85640-set-unset-read-only-attribute-files-folders-windows-10-a.html

 Read-only box = Neutral setting of a folder that is always displayed by default.
 Read-only box = File is currently read-only. Only displays temporarily for a folder while setting to be applied to files in folder.
 Read-only box = File is currently not read-only. Only displays temporarily for a folder while setting to be applied to files in folder.

Yes and empty folder nothing in there so why is there a radio box with it filled saying read only that folder should be rewrite anything as I said before that issue never happened before with an empty folder that radio box was empty nothing was filmed unchecked or checked does not matter when I create a new folder it should not say read only. I spent 3 days trying to figure it out for some dumb reason and Im not pointing fingers ahheemi**crosof**"t. Is sticking their foot and hand where it does not belong AKA controlling my computer to tell me what I can and cannot do with it I own it I paid over $1,400 for the goddamn thing and if their windows home addition is free on my previous laptop it's portable over to my desktop... Enough with the subject we are done... Microsoft stop trying to squeeze more **** money out of me

Okay I'm having the same issue I did a clean install a Windows 10 from an ISO that I got from Microsoft's website and nothing else is installed went right to desktop right clicked on desktop made a new folder Hit enter I right clicked again to look at the folder it says read only??? Why when I check the box to get rid of read-only click apply click ok then reopen the folder AKA right click to check properties it went back to read only why why in the world did it do that nothing else is installed nothing else is running I'm not even connected to the internet except through my tablet to post this somebody tell me what the **** is going on sorry for my French but I'm getting so frustrated with this BS that's going on right now. Also Windows 10 home 22H2 downloaded and installed 76-2024 OS build 19045. 3803 and I did not install any of the other features I disabled all the other features before completing the install Microsoft screwed the pooch what the hell is going on. On the external I am not doing a command prompt to try and change the attributes to I have too many files and folders that keep doing that especially when I'm copying them back off of another hard drive that doesn't have it affected

Hello Jack,

Technically, read-only would be applied to the files inside the folder instead of the folder itself.

Unless the Read-only box is checked for files in the folder, the files would not be read-only.

You can check using the tutorial below, and set them to not be read-only if they are.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/85640-set-unset-read-only-attribute-files-folders-windows-10-a.html