Changing Write Protection on Files and Folders

  • Thread starter Thread starter Istariel
  • Start date Start date
I

Istariel

I want to change the write-protection of files from read-only to NOT read
only so that I can change the names whatever I want…I'm reorganizing my
files. However, no matter what I do, I can't get the read-only attribute in
Properties of the folders I want to change the names of to clear so that I
can do so, while the picture files within them are not write-protected and
don't need to be fooled with.

My Help & Support is VERY unhelpful (as in totally worthless) because it
keeps giving me stuff like the programming attrubutes that make it this way
or that way, or sending me to this other place that seems to have absolutely
nothing to do with it because following the directions makes no difference,
or giving me the glossary…which doesn't even have an entry for what I'm
trying to do.

All I want is a simple, permanent way to change the write-protection
attribute of a folder or file from "read-only" to whatever it is that allows
me to rename the thing whatever I want. I don't want to have to go through a
whole bunch of directions to do it. I want to be able to do it the way I
used to be able to in Windows 2000/ME, which was as follows:

Right-click the folder/file/whatever
Choose Properties from the pop-up menu
Clear the read-only attribute at the bottom
Click OK/Apply then OK

BOOM!!! It's done and I don't have to mess with it anymore and can do what
I want. I want that back. This computer is running the XP Pro (XP SP2)
operating system and is the Admin computer for a OneCare circle of three.
There is another computer in the circle, but it is not connected either by a
network in the house or through the internet.

Can someone please tell me how to do this? I am unhappy with this because
it limits what I want to do to reorganize. Besides, as the common, ordinary
semi-computer savvy user of this computer, I should be able to do this by the
computer's programming without having to be a total computer
programmer/techie expert, instead of getting frustrated and having to stop
what I'm doing and go do something else to calm down.
 
Istariel said:
I want to change the write-protection of files from read-only to NOT read
only so that I can change the names whatever I want.I'm reorganizing my
files. However, no matter what I do, I can't get the read-only attribute
in
Properties of the folders I want to change the names of to clear so that I
can do so, while the picture files within them are not write-protected and
don't need to be fooled with.

My Help & Support is VERY unhelpful (as in totally worthless) because it
keeps giving me stuff like the programming attrubutes that make it this
way
or that way, or sending me to this other place that seems to have
absolutely
nothing to do with it because following the directions makes no
difference,
or giving me the glossary.which doesn't even have an entry for what I'm
trying to do.

All I want is a simple, permanent way to change the write-protection
attribute of a folder or file from "read-only" to whatever it is that
allows
me to rename the thing whatever I want. I don't want to have to go
through a
whole bunch of directions to do it. I want to be able to do it the way I
used to be able to in Windows 2000/ME, which was as follows:

Right-click the folder/file/whatever
Choose Properties from the pop-up menu
Clear the read-only attribute at the bottom
Click OK/Apply then OK

BOOM!!! It's done and I don't have to mess with it anymore and can do
what
I want. I want that back. This computer is running the XP Pro (XP SP2)
operating system and is the Admin computer for a OneCare circle of three.
There is another computer in the circle, but it is not connected either by
a
network in the house or through the internet.

Can someone please tell me how to do this? I am unhappy with this because
it limits what I want to do to reorganize. Besides, as the common,
ordinary
semi-computer savvy user of this computer, I should be able to do this by
the
computer's programming without having to be a total computer
programmer/techie expert, instead of getting frustrated and having to stop
what I'm doing and go do something else to calm down.
Click to expand...
The readonly attribute on a folder is ignored.
Instead, XP uses the permissions settings on folders and files.
What you need to do is to look at the permissions on the folder. You will
doubtless see that write access is not denied.
Then, you enable the write permission on the folder.
Then you click apply and select the option to propagate the the settings to
subfolders and files.
Now go check permissions on a subfolder to see if all is well.
Finally, you are done.
 
I want to change the write-protection of files from read-only to NOT read
only so that I can change the names whatever I want…I'm reorganizing my
files. However, no matter what I do, I can't get the read-only attribute in
Properties of the folders I want to change the names of to clear so that I
can do so, while the picture files within them are not write-protected and
don't need to be fooled with.
Click to expand...


Folders are not read-only, and the read-only attribute there doesn't
mean that they are.
 
All I want is a simple, permanent way to change the write-protection
attribute of a folder or file from "read-only" to whatever it is that allows
me to rename the thing whatever I want. I don't want to have to go through a
whole bunch of directions to do it. I want to be able to do it the way I
used to be able to in Windows 2000/ME, which was as follows:

Right-click the folder/file/whatever
Choose Properties from the pop-up menu
Clear the read-only attribute at the bottom
Click OK/Apply then OK

BOOM!!! It's done and I don't have to mess with it anymore and can do what
I want. I want that back. This computer is running the XP Pro (XP SP2)
operating system and is the Admin computer for a OneCare circle of three.
There is another computer in the circle, but it is not connected either by a
network in the house or through the internet.

Can someone please tell me how to do this? I am unhappy with this because
it limits what I want to do to reorganize. Besides, as the common, ordinary
semi-computer savvy user of this computer, I should be able to do this by the
computer's programming without having to be a total computer
programmer/techie expert, instead of getting frustrated and having to stop
what I'm doing and go do something else to calm down.
Click to expand...



This should explain the situation

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326549
 
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