Folders in windows xp are set by design to be Read only, even if you select otherwise. This is a very ignorant choice for Microsoft as a lot of software will not update into a read only folder. Microsoft lets you deselect the choice to have it be read only, however, it will re-apply itself imediatly.

I have tried multiple things to solve this problem.

I have obtained ownership of the files, along with permissions. Many people suggest this. It does not work.

I have tried using command prompt attrib command. Microsoft itself suggest this. It does not work.

I have tried every solution I have seen, but to no avail...

I however have seen plently of rude unhelpful remarks.

It would be a wonderful thing to actually see a proper solution as some programs will not save into a folder that is set to read only, even if Windows manages to ignore the fact that it is read only.

In my opinion Microsoft is a bunch of idiots for programing the OS this way....

But that is my non-professional opinion... its also a customers opinion... but perhaps not for long.

I truly would love a solution to this annoyance.

The reasoning behind it is to update a video game named "Black and White." It will not update the video game in the read-only folder state.

oh, and yes I tried safe mode as well.

I am 100% sure this is the cause now. For if you immediatly install the program it for some reason is not read only yet, and at that state it can be updated.

However I do not want to do that, I would like an alternate solution besides unistalling the program and reinstalling it.

I cannot fathom why Microsoft has put up a solution which does not work for me, and everyone else with the problem.

Have you tried these ?

Read Only
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

Unable to Remove Read-Only Flag from Folder
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q256614

Yes I have tried to set access properties and the Microsoft command prompt solution. Neither one works.

I am attempting a third solution currently that the games website talks about.

It seems that right after you install it, the folder is not read-only yet. So I will try updating it then.

I will inform if this works or not.

Thank you for your quick reply however.

Thank the maker.

Yes the games websites solution worked.

No thanks to Microsofts tech suppot.... which was worthless in my situation.

Thank you anyway for the help

Hi Dale,

Would you mind sharing with us the games websites solution - with a link?

Thanks

i_XpUser

Dale,
Just simmer down and think about this for a while. A folder is like a folder in an office, you can put all sorts of things in them, records, papers, pictures etc. Now, you can take anything out or put anything back in you want, you can take a document out write on it to change it or cut a hole in the center of a picture to change it, then put it back in. If you have a folder with your ex-wife and you on a picture in it and you take the picture out and cut it in half so you don't have to look at her anymore then put it back in, you will still have that folder with your a picture in it, but if you CHANGE a folder, like for example cut it in half, it will not be a folder anymore it will be 2 pieces of thick paper.
The same goes for a folder in a computer, even though it's read only you can put stuff in it, take stuff out, or delete it. But if you change the data that makes that folder a folder it will not be a folder anymore, it will be corrupted data.
If you have a game that will not update it is not the fault of a folder being read only. If the creator of the game is telling you that they have a problem with their game.
The problem is not with Microsoft's read only folders it's with your perception of the definition of read only. I'm not trying to be rude just telling you like it is.

Domass is correct.

Couldn't you just copy and paste all the files to a new folder with full access, delete the old one and then renamee the new to the original?

Jimi_l

From: KB326549

Quote
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.
End of quote

Further from the same article:
Quote
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
End of quote

HTH
Bryan

Hi Dale,

You mentioned that you found a solution to
this problem at a "games website". Would
you please post the solution or the link to
the website to this list. I am experiencing
the same problem at a client site and would
appreciate a solution.

Thank you.

Jesse

There seems to be some confusion about this problem, and yes it is a real problem.

Quote Bryco:
"...the Read-only attribute for a folder is typically ignored by Windows..."

But there are many, especially older, applications that don't ignore this flag because they have not been updated with the latest Microsoft OS "munges".
It is just typical of Microsoft to re-use a flag for multiple purposes with total disregard for software that has already been written.

Anyone who did some unbiased research would discover that this is a common trait throughout almost all of Microsoft's products.
That's why I don't trust Microsoft, you never know what they are going to screw up next.
*sigh* if only they would give in to their hollow pride and base their next release on Unix like the Mac OS. Guaranteed they would still find a way to make that crash every few days...

>>But there are many, especially older, applications that don't ignore this flag

Is that the fault of Microsoft, or the application programmers?

>>the latest Microsoft OS "munges"

Microsoft dropping legacy support for the munges of their earlier operating systems is in itself a munge? I don't think so.

>>It is just typical of Microsoft to re-use a flag for multiple purposes with total disregard for software that has already been written

It is, after all, a closed operating system. Don't like it? Don't code for it.

>>if only they would give in to their hollow pride and base their next release on Unix like the Mac OS

I take it you haven't used Tiger yet ;)

>>Guaranteed they would still find a way to make that crash every few days

This is 2005, not 1996. The only time my Windows servers go down, with any greater frequency than Netware or Linux for example, is when patching. Now if you want to complain about having to reboot for every single patch I might tend to agree with you.

I think Microsoft has an issue with the read-only folders. One obvious reason is the numerous people having problems with it that you can find in the internet. I still havent found ONE proved solution to this problem.
I have a DTS (MICROSOFT!!! SqlServer) which cannot run because one of its tasks is to backup a folder into another. It wont work because it doesnt ignore this flag and therefore cannot write on it.
I have tried the attrib cmd, the registry value, and it just doesnt work!
Any help will be apreciated..