Windows 7: Padlocks on folders.

Hi. I have a number of folders with a padlock attached. What exactly does this mean? How can I get rid of them? I have right-clicked on folder and selected security but nothing I do alters things. Is there someone who can help please?
A.

Are they folders which you have turned sharing on and then back off again? If so the lock icom means that the folder is now only accessable to your personal account opposed to you and all "Authenticated Users" which is the default. :/ It's not harmful in any way but it is annoying I'll agree.

I believe that if you add "Authenticated Users" to the access list with full control (Will allow access to all local users) then the lock will go away. But searching this forum for "Remove lock icon" will show a lot of threads on the subject.

(Even MORE annoying is the complete lack of the "Shared" icon and I don't think there is a fix for that built in!)

Hi AliBong, take the files & sub folders out of the main folder, delete it, re make it & put you items back.

Hi. Thanks for your replies. I managed to get the locks off. Cheers....AB.

That's great! If your thread is solved please mark it as solved in your first post of the thread?