Read only files Windows 7

Question

I am suddenly unable to save excel files downloaded from an email. They save in the download folder but once I edit them and try to save them in My Documents I receive an error message that I need admin access in order to save them. I am the Admin so upon further investigation I have discovered that all of the folders have been changed to Read Only and cannot be changed. How can I fix this and how did it happen? Was it a Windows update?

Answer 1

I tried the steps offered and it did not work.

Those were diagnostic questions -- which you haven't answered -- not steps intended to make things work.  Help us help you: please answer those questions, as well as the following additional diagnostic questions.

1. You said that you can successfully save these files to your Downloads folder.  Can you open them, edit them, and then save them back in the Downloads folder?
2. The Downloads folder is generally located at C:\Users<yourusername>\Downloads.  Right-click on any file in your Downloads folder and select Properties.  Confirm that the "Location" of the file as shown on the Properties dialog is, in fact, C:\Users<yourusername>\Downloads\filename.xxx (if the Location is different, please provide exactly what is shown as the file's location).
3. What happened when you attempted to do a System Restore? 
4. How old was the Restore Point that you tried to use?

Answer 2

"You don't have permission to save in this location. Contact the administrator to obtain permission. Would you like to save in the My Documents folder instead?"

I am the administrator, and even if I choose "yes" it won't save in my documents. I tried the steps offered and it did not work. I tried to restore the computer to an earlier date but was unable to do so.

Answer 3

The folders have not been changed to "Read only."  The "Read only" box on a folder's "Properties" page does not, in fact, mean that.

What is the exact text of the error message you get?

What happens if you open Excel, type a few characters, and then attempt to save the file in My Documents?  Do you get the same error?

• Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\Users
• You should see several folders, one of which will be your user account name
• Right-click on that folder, select "Properties" and then select the "Security" tab
• Select your useraccountname from the list in "Group and user names" and examine the list of Permissions in the lower box
• Is there a check in the "Allow" column next to every item other than "Special Permissions"?
• Are the check marks black or "greyed out"?
• Close that Properties dialog by clicking "Cancel"
• Double-click on the folder with your useraccountname to open it
• You should see several folders, one of which will be "My Documents"
• As you did before, right-click on the "My Documents" folder, select "Properties" and then select the "Security" tab
• Select your useraccountname from the list in "Group and user names" and examine the list of Permissions
• Is there a check in the "Allow" column next to every item other than "Special Permissions"?
• Are the check marks black or "greyed out"?