All my folders are read-only

[Bootking]

Yeah, so all of the folders on my (windows xp) computer are read-only. The OS lets me create new folders and makes changes like normal, but still all my folders go back to read-only everytime i try to take them off read-only. It's not bothering me so much but it was brought to my attention by the fact that my AIM chat-logging plugin does not work because it is not allowed to create folders. I suspect it might have to do with my Norton antivirus software or some security feature in the OS i don't know about. Any suggestions anyone?

[dglienna]

I've never heard of a security feature like that. Are you sure that all folders are read-only? (Check by doing properties on a folder and seeing if read-only is checked.)

to remove the RO bit, go to a directory (for AIM) and from the command prompt, you can type ATTRIB *.* -R /D and it will process all files and subfolders.

I don't think that you should do this from the root directory, though. May be some files that need to be read-only for a program to operate.

You can also select multiple files before right-clicking on properties, to change them to read-only.

post some more to debug further.

[BodwadUK]

I had that cant remember how we got rid of it.

Check folder options. -> view -> folder options in any explorer window

[Bootking]

Uh hey...

Yeah, I noticed that read-only thing last week but i don't have that problem anymore because my computer crashed yesterday, which was my first day of college. I have somewhat restored my computer but now most of my devices don't work and it restarts all the time.

...

Wish me luck!

[dglienna]

post the problem of re-booting if/when you solve it. someone asked me about the same thing yesterday, and everything looked OK on the machine. stumped me. suggested re-install.

[BodwadUK]

Virus?

[dglienna]

his pc re-boots un-expectedly, and sometime 3 or 4 times, then it is fine for a while. sometimes it re-booted when trying to run office programs, but not always, and still randomly.
I suggested re-install Windows, although I would first try to repair the installation.

[Danial]

Originally posted by Bootking
Yeah, so all of the folders on my (windows xp) computer are read-only. The OS lets me create new folders and makes changes like normal, but still all my folders go back to read-only everytime i try to take them off read-only. It's not bothering me so much but it was brought to my attention by the fact that my AIM chat-logging plugin does not work because it is not allowed to create folders. I suspect it might have to do with my Norton antivirus software or some security feature in the OS i don't know about. Any suggestions anyone?

I have the same problem in one of my machine (XP). If you find a solution rather then re-installing please post it here.

Thanks.

[dglienna]

quoted from MSDN website

By default in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1), if you click the Sharing tab of the Properties dialog box for the folder, and then share the folder for other users to access over the network, the folder has permissions that give everyone read-only access. In versions of Windows XP that are earlier than SP1, if you share folders by using the Sharing tab of the Properties dialog box, the folder has default permissions that gives everyone full control.

NOTE: This behavior is not true for folders that you share by using the New File Share Wizard and the Net.exe command. These folders continue to have default permissions that give everyone full control.

Other than that, I couldn't find anything applicable.

Hope it helps.

[dglienna]

looking up NET SHARE /?
I see that you can use the /UNLIMITED parameter. This may also fix things.

[szlamany]

Did you remove "EVERYONE" from having access to a folder - and maybe you also had "make other folders" match these setting clicked...

[Danial]

Originally posted by szlamany
Did you remove "EVERYONE" from having access to a folder - and maybe you also had "make other folders" match these setting clicked...

Yes i dont like giving "Everyone" permission to my folders, since i have home network running. It only happens on account with "Limited User" also when i access drives from different machine.

Anyhow its not a big problem so i am not to concerned.

Thanks for your replies.

[BodwadUK]

It will be something to do with permissions then like server 2003. Check your accounts options (However you do that in XP) and ensure that you can read and write from all your accounts