Windows XP doesn't actually recursively change attributes

Question

This should probably go into the question about Windows Annoyances, but can anyone explain why this happens, and how to fix it?

I right-click on a folder, select properties, and uncheck the Read-only. Click on OK. I get a confirmation with the option to apply changes to this folder only, or include subfolders and files. I select the latter, and click OK.

Go back to properties, and it's still showing up as Read only. Why? I can't see any files that are still read-only

Answer 1

This issue is described in KB326549: You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista

The solution given there is to simply use the command-line attrib command to remove the attributes, like so:

attrib -r -s "c:\somepath\my readonly folder"

Answer 2

Type Win+R cmd ENTER to get a shell. In the shell, type the following:

> cd "C:\Path\To\Read-Only\Folder"
> attrib -R /S /D

The /S and /D are needed to recurse into and remove read-only attribute from subfolders.

Answer 3

http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/24940/why-cant-i-remove-the-read-only-flag-from-a-windows-xp-or-windows-2000-folder.html

• Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).
• Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer subkey.
• Select New -> DWORD Value from the Edit menu.
• Enter a name of UseSystemForSystemFolders and press Enter.
• Double-click the new value, set it to 1, and click OK.
• Close the registry editor.
• Reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.

Once you've done this you should be able to change your folder permissions.