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#1
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Why do folders have the read-only attribute?
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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. -Lew |
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#2
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Lew wrote:
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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. They aren't read-only by default. If you look at the check box, it is neither checked nor unchecked. Rather it is an undetermined state. Unfortunately the filled square has lead many to the same conclusion as you, that the attribute is checked and therefore the folder is read-only. It is poor UI design. You can verify the true attributes of a folder by using the attrib command in a command prompt window. -- Tom Porterfield MS-MVP Windows http://support.telop.org Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only. |
#3
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Lew wrote:
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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. -Lew They aren't read-only, you just think they are. Try adding a new file into a folder you think is read-only. Can you? Now try deleting that file. Can you? If you can do both of those things, the the folder is not read-only, is it? So ignore it, or do you just enjoy being anal for the sake of 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" |
#4
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Lew wrote: 1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder? So that it can't be accidentally deleted? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. Intefering HOW!? Unless you're planning to delete the folder in the near future and changing its attribute is a real hassle, I see no reason to worry about this. |
#5
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Mine definitely have a visible check mark in them.
"Tom Porterfield" wrote in message ... Lew wrote: 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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. They aren't read-only by default. If you look at the check box, it is neither checked nor unchecked. Rather it is an undetermined state. Unfortunately the filled square has lead many to the same conclusion as you, that the attribute is checked and therefore the folder is read-only. It is poor UI design. You can verify the true attributes of a folder by using the attrib command in a command prompt window. -- Tom Porterfield MS-MVP Windows http://support.telop.org Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only. |
#6
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I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute of the
folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only box. -Lew "kurttrail" wrote in message ... Lew wrote: 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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. -Lew They aren't read-only, you just think they are. Try adding a new file into a folder you think is read-only. Can you? Now try deleting that file. Can you? If you can do both of those things, the the folder is not read-only, is it? So ignore it, or do you just enjoy being anal for the sake of 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" |
#7
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I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my
work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done. -Lew "Curmudgeon" wrote in message oups.com... Lew wrote: 1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder? So that it can't be accidentally deleted? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. Intefering HOW!? Unless you're planning to delete the folder in the near future and changing its attribute is a real hassle, I see no reason to worry about this. |
#8
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Lew wrote:
I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done. Have you tried dropping to the command window and checking/changing the attribute from there? -- Tom Porterfield MS-MVP Windows http://support.telop.org Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only. |
#9
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The "check-mark" in the little read-only box in the "Folder Properties"
tab means zip to Windows. And has absolutely no bearing on what you as a user can or can't do to the folder in Windows. The security tab is the key to folder permissions. Lew wrote: I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done. -Lew "Curmudgeon" wrote in message oups.com... Lew wrote: 1. Why what is the purpose of having a read - only folder? So that it can't be accidentally deleted? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. Intefering HOW!? Unless you're planning to delete the folder in the near future and changing its attribute is a real hassle, I see no reason to worry about this. |
#10
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"Lew" wrote in message
... 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? 2. How do I change this behavior? I believe that it is interfering with other processes. -Lew A couple of things to note in the following KB article; http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549/ 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. For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer. The Read-only and System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer to determine whether the folder is a special folder, such as a system folder that has its view customized by Windows... and Some programs may display error messages when you try to save files to a folder with the Read-only or System attribute. As a result, these programs may not be able to save files to the folder. See the workaround. -- D I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP. I was just trying to help. Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or advice herein. No warranty is expressed or implied. Your mileage may vary. See store for details. Remove shoes to E-mail. |
#11
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Lew wrote:
I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute of the folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only box. -Lew No there is NOT "clearly a check mark in the read-only box!" It is shaded, not checked. -- 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" |
#12
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Lew wrote:
I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done. This isn't a Windows problem, it is your problem. -- 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" |
#13
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You do know that "Help and Support" is your friend correct?
I typed "read only" into the search box and this is only one of the results: Begin quote You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders View products that this article applies to. Article ID : 326549 Last Review : November 5, 2003 Revision : 5.1 This article was previously published under Q326549 For a Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 98, and Windows 95 version of this article, see 256614. On this page SYMPTOMS CAUSE WORKAROUND STATUS MORE INFORMATION APPLIES TO SYMPTOMS You may experience any of the following symptoms: . You cannot view or change the Read-only or System attributes of a folder by using the Properties dialog box for the folder. For example, you may experience the following symptoms: . When you view the General tab of a folder's Properties dialog box, the Read-only check box is not available, and there is no check box to change the System attribute. . You click to clear or click to select the Read-only check box on the General tab of a folder's Properties dialog box. When you click OK or Apply, you receive the following message: Confirm Attribute Changes You have chosen to make the following attribute changes: unset read-only Do you want to apply this change to this folder only, or do you want to apply it to all subfolders and files as well? If you click Apply changes to this folder only, the Read-only attribute is changed for all the files in the folder, but the Read-only attribute is not changed for the folder, its subfolders, or any files in its subfolders. If you click Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files, the Read-only attribute is changed for all files in the folder and all files in the subfolders, but the Read-only attribute is not changed for the folder or its subfolders. . Some programs may display error messages when you try to save files to a folder with the Read-only or System attribute. As a result, these programs may not be able to save files to the folder. Back to the top CAUSE 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. For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer. The Read-only and System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer 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. As a result, Windows Explorer does not allow you to view or change the Read-only or System attributes of folders. Note In some previous versions of Windows, you can change the Read-only attribute for folders by using the Properties dialog box for the folder, but no versions of Windows permit you to change the System attribute by using Windows Explorer. Back to the top WORKAROUND To work around this issue, use the Attrib command at a command prompt (Cmd.exe) to view or remove the Read-only or System attributes of folders. Type attrib /? at the command prompt to view the syntax for the Attrib command. Warning If you remove the Read-only or System attribute from a folder, it may appear as a ordinary folder and some customizations may be lost. For example, Windows customizes the Fonts folder and provides a special folder view that permits you to hide variations, such as bold and italic. It also permits you to change the folder's view settings in ways that are specific to fonts. If you remove the Read-only and System attributes of the Fonts folder, these customized view settings are not available. For folders that you have customized by using the Customize tab of the folder's Properties dialog box, the folder icon and other other customizations may be lost when you remove the Read-only attribute. If a program cannot save files to a folder with the Read-only attribute, such as My Documents, change the Read-only attribute to System by using the Attrib command at a command prompt. For example, to change the Read-only attribute to System for the C:\Test folder, use the following command: attrib -r +s c:\test Note that some programs may not operate correctly with folders that have the System attribute set. To remove both the Read-only and System attributes from the C:\Test folder, use the following command: attrib -r -s c:\test Back to the top STATUS This behavior is by design. Back to the top MORE INFORMATION Windows stores file and folder attributes in the file system with the file and folder name, extension, date and time stamps, and other information. 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. However, 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. Back to the top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APPLIES TO . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition . Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition . Microsoft Windows XP Professional . Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition . Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-Bit Edition (Itanium) . Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002 . Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition . Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition . Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 Standard Edition Back to the top Keywords: kbenv kbprb KB326549 End quote -- Just my 2¢ worth, Jeff __________in response to__________ "Lew" wrote in message ... I'm a software developer and controlling such things is important to my work. I don't mind any hassle as long as I can get it done. -Lew |
#14
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Kurt:
Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked. -Lew "kurttrail" wrote in message ... Lew wrote: I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute of the folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only box. -Lew No there is NOT "clearly a check mark in the read-only box!" It is shaded, not checked. -- 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" |
#15
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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. Tom "Lew" wrote in message ... | Kurt: | Sorry, but not so, it's shaded AND checked. | -Lew | "kurttrail" wrote in message | ... | Lew wrote: | I'm not talking about the *contents* of the folder, but the attribute | of the folder itself. There is clearly a check mark in the read-only | box. -Lew | | No there is NOT "clearly a check mark in the read-only box!" It is | shaded, not checked. | | -- | 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" | | | |
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