Directory Tree keeps changing back to "Read Only" - Why?

[BobMCT]

I have a directory structure on a 2nd drive. As administrator using windows explorer I select the directory and right click then select the properties item on the pop up menu. On the properties panel I see that "Read Only" is checked. I uncheck it and then click on apply. A popup window appears with the option "apply to directory and all sub directories & files" already checked. I then click on "Apply" and watch the process recurse down through the stucture. Upon completion it then shows that the "Read Only" box is unchecked. I close explorer then restart it and select the same directory. The "Read Only" checkbox is again already checked.

Call me stupid but how can I relieve the read only attribute on this entire directory structure and make it stick?

Thanks for any pointers

 

[strongm]

> On the properties panel I see that "Read Only" is checked

Filled square, I'd suggest, not ticked. The read only attribute (as opposed to permission) is not used by NTFS for folders, so you can't change it from the GUI. Have a look at other folders. You should find they also show the attribute as a filled square.

 

[ChrisHirst]

Call me stupid but how can I relieve the read only attribute on this entire directory structure and make it stick?

Open a command prompt, change directory to the parent folder and type in;

attrib -r *.* /s

Though the properties dialogue will still show the attribute as "unavailable" for folders/directories.

Chris.

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[madonnac]

Chris, Add a /D to that, and it will also handle directories:

[pre]ATTRIB -R *.* /S /D[/pre]

 

[strongm]

Not under NTFS it won't. The attribute is not actually used by folders under NTFS. You cannot change it through the GUI or through ATTRIB.

The read only attribute as shown in the GUI dialog is simply a configuration checkbox; it does not represent an actual attribute of the folder; it exists only to allow you to reset the state of all files in the currently selected directory (and subdirectories) via the GUI. And even that can sometimes be pointless, as some modern applications manage to ignore the attributes (access being controlled through NTFS permissions instead).

In terms of the settings, they mean:
[ul]
[li]clear - disabled: the read only flag will be cleared on files contained by folder[/li]
[li]filled blue - ignore: (default dialog status) do not change this setting on files[/li]
[li]ticked - enabled: the read only flag should be set on files contained by folder[/li]
[/ul]