Cannot change Read-Only attribute in any folders.

Question

I am an admin and only user of my PC Win 10 10.0.19045 Build 19045

I tried to remove the Read Only attribute of the Download folder or Program Files folder and none would work. It would always revert back to Read-Only. For that reason, I am unable to install a software.

I have tried all that is explained in this web-page and nothing worked:
https://blog.pcrisk.com/windows/13392-how-to-fix-folders-reverting-to-read-only-on-windows-10
I don't know what to try anymore.

I have Full Control under the Security tab in Properties, yet, every time I remove the Read-Only option, when I click apply, it start a pop up windows like this :

In the end I close it and when I open back the properties, it is back to Read Only Box checked again.

I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

All the DISM.exe and the SFC scanNow were clean and not a single error was detected.

What's wrong ?

Please help.

Answer 1

I just tried creating a new local user with admin rights and it was also not able to install the software.

The software I am trying to install is called Pulsar Massive
https://pulsar.audio/massive/Before doing a repair install, I just want to make sure that you are aware that I tried the whole DISM suite and sfc scannow and nothing worked. I mean, not a single issue was detected.

With that being said, If I do a repair Insatall, will I lose any data or software installed on my PC ^

I am asking because Im in the middle of a creative project and If I was to loose some data, that would be dramatic, like legally dramatic.

I just installed that software on Windows 10 22H2 (OS Build 19045.2846) and it completed with no errors. I also have just the standard Windows Defender software installed. If you have any third-party security software installed, you could remove or disable it and try the install again.

A Windows repair install resets much more than those two scans, but it also keeps all of your applications, files, and settings. You will not lose any data unless something completely out of the ordinary occurs. That's highly unlikely, but, to be safe, you should still backup your important files to a separate drive or cloud storage (which you should already be doing anyhow).

After ensuring your important data is backed up, please proceed with the Repair Install.

Answer 2

Read-only attribute does not have any sense for the folders and does not affect file access rights. That's why it is used for Windows internal purposes since Windows 98 and Windows does not allow to change it in most cases. This is absolutely normal and cannot be changed.

Seems you have some problems with file access, so please describe a real problem. I suppose it is in access rights - you may check them at Security tab in Properties.

Answer 3

They all have full access.

Answer 4

You may try to analyse the problem using Process Monitor tool. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon

Folder's r/o attribute has no effect on file access and cannot cause your problem.

Answer 5

Downloaded and running.

What am I looking for in Procmon ?