Program Files Attribute question.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ICU
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I

ICU

Maybe a dumb question but, on WINXP Home edition are all folders under and
including the "Program Files" folder supposed to be "read only" ?
I never had a problem till today when I uninstalled a program but it left
the uninstalled program folder and a sub folder under the "Program Files"
folder , when I tried to delete the folder and sub folder I found them all
to be "read only" and no amount of trying to change the "read only"
attribute would allow me to delete the two empty folders.
Any help would be appreciated.
Baffled in Windoze land.(G)

ICU
 
ICU said:
Maybe a dumb question but, on WINXP Home edition are all folders under
and including the "Program Files" folder supposed to be "read only" ?
I never had a problem till today when I uninstalled a program but it
left the uninstalled program folder and a sub folder under the
"Program Files" folder , when I tried to delete the folder and sub
folder I found them all to be "read only" and no amount of trying to
change the "read only" attribute would allow me to delete the two
empty folders. Any help would be appreciated.
Baffled in Windoze land.(G)
Click to expand...

The "read only" attribute for folders in XP is not applicable. If you
look carefully, you will see that the option for "read only" is greyed
out, indicating that this attribute is not available.

So your issue of not being able to delete the folders has nothing to do
with this. Try to delete the folders in Safe Mode. Get into Safe Mode
by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This
will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the
mouse will not work here.

While you are in Safe Mode, check the ownership of the folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Otherwise, see:

Deleting stubborn files:
http://aumha.org/a/stubborn.php

Malke
 
The "read only" attribute for folders in XP is not applicable. If you
look carefully, you will see that the option for "read only" is greyed
out, indicating that this attribute is not available.

So your issue of not being able to delete the folders has nothing to do
with this. Try to delete the folders in Safe Mode. Get into Safe Mode
by repeatedly tapping the F8 key as the computer is starting up. This
will get you to the right menu. Navigate using your Up arrow key; the
mouse will not work here.

While you are in Safe Mode, check the ownership of the folders:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

Otherwise, see:

Deleting stubborn files:
http://aumha.org/a/stubborn.php

Malke
Click to expand...

Hi Malke, thanks for the quick reply.
The boot in safe mode suggestion did allow me to delete the unwanted
folder, much appreciated.

But, I beg to differ with you in regards to "read only" attributes for
folders not being applicable to WinXP.

The "Program files" folder under properties shows the box for "read only"
checked with a green square, removng the green check and clicking on
"apply" does not seem to make the changes to the attribute as expected.
Also btw under "safe mode" my mouse did work , lucky me eh!

I failed to check out the "ownership of the folder", that's something I
will do , also check out your suggestion for "stubborn files" url.

Other than that I'm a happy camper at the moment, just glad I could solve
the "problem" with your help so quickly.(G)
Thanks again , much appreciated.

ICU
 
ICU wrote:

Comments inline:
Hi Malke, thanks for the quick reply.
The boot in safe mode suggestion did allow me to delete the unwanted
folder, much appreciated.

But, I beg to differ with you in regards to "read only" attributes for
folders not being applicable to WinXP.

The "Program files" folder under properties shows the box for "read
only" checked with a green square, removng the green check and
clicking on "apply" does not seem to make the changes to the attribute
as expected. Also btw under "safe mode" my mouse did work , lucky me
eh!
Click to expand...

Sorry, but the "read only" attribute really isn't applicable to folders.
See:

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326549

I failed to check out the "ownership of the folder", that's something
I will do , also check out your suggestion for "stubborn files" url.
Click to expand...

Since you were able to delete the folders, don't bother with this.
Other than that I'm a happy camper at the moment, just glad I could
solve the "problem" with your help so quickly.(G)
Thanks again , much appreciated.
Click to expand...

Glad you got things sorted.

Malke
 
The Read-Only indicator (in the case of Folders it is a green box, not
check), means that there are SOME files/folders in the tree that are set to
Read-Only.
If the box appeared as a check, that would mean that ALL files/folders under
that Folder are ALL read-only.
 
The Read-Only indicator (in the case of Folders it is a green box, not
check), means that there are SOME files/folders in the tree that are
set to Read-Only.
If the box appeared as a check, that would mean that ALL files/folders
under that Folder are ALL read-only.
Click to expand...
I see, learn something new every day,
But why the heck and yes it is a green box rather than a check, would it
not let me delete the folder and sub folder even after all files were
removed from the folders?
I've solved the problem now but still interested in why the delete
wasn't allowed.
ICU
 
ICU wrote:

Comments inline:


Sorry, but the "read only" attribute really isn't applicable to folders.

Since you were able to delete the folders, don't bother with this.


Glad you got things sorted.

Malke
Click to expand...

Ok, now I see what you meant, my interpretation of what you said
previously was that "read only" wasn't an option in WinXP. (G)

Thanks again, much appreciated.

ICU
 
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