Windows 7 - All Files Are Read Only

I just discovered that if I try to go into my MS Word files and alter a letter, it tells me that it is a Read Only File and I can not save it. I can make new files, but not change old ones. I am signed in as Administrator. Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this?

When you open the file in Word, the name of the file appear at the top of the main Word window. If the file is opened as Read Only, then the words "(read only)" will appear next to the filename. This usually indicate that the file has been specifically marked as read-only.

If you open the folder (in Windows Explorer) where the files are located, right-click on one of the offending files, then select "Properties". If the "Read-only" checkbox is ticked, click it to remove the checkmark, then click OK.

If this solve your problem for one file, then select all files by pressing <CTRL>+<A>, then repeat the above instructions - right click, properties, uncheck readonly, ok.

If your problem was not solved, can you tell me in which folder the files are located?

The files do have "read only" next to the file name at the left top. When I right-click on properties, the read only box is not checked. Next to the Read-Only box is an "Advanced" box. There are two File Attributes that are checked. One is "File is ready for Archiving" and the other is "Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file". I don't know if those should be checked or not. If I uncheck them, it does not seem to make a difference. This is happening with all of my word files which are in C:\My Documents\Word\Letters. It is not limited to MS Word. I first discovered this when I attempted to change a file and upload it to my website. I don't believe I have attempted any changes since I installed Win 7. I am guessing something happened then, but have no idea what.

Are these letters you originally created yourself or did you use a template to create them? If they are templates then I think word forces you to create a save as file. Strange that you haven't had this problem prior to windows 7 though.

These are just letters I have written, no templets. Sometimes I need to change the info and resend them. I just write over it. I discovered this trying to change a page on my website. It would not allow me to change it. I just read on a site that if you save a file to a CD, it becomes a Read-Only and if you copy it back to your HD, it is still a Read-Only. I saved my files to an online storage site when I installed Win 7. I then restored them. I am thinking that is when it happened. I am going to check with the storage site about that.

Just for giggles, try going to the folder properties and tag it as read-only and apply. Then untag it, apply again and see if you have write access now...

I found a discussion on this issue on a different thread.

Quote: Originally Posted by seekermeister
Using Takeownership may cause you some problems. I used that on Documents and Settings, before I understood that it was simply a node for compatibility for programs made for XP and older, and it caused things to go so awry, that I had to delete my user account and creat a new one. Anything folder with a shortcut icon on it...leave it alone.

EDIT: You could have moved those folders anywhere that you prefer, simply by opening the folder linked on the Start Menu under your username, and using the move button on the location tab of the folder's properties.


It won't cause him issues on a completely separate drive. This was probably a case of incompatible permissions from the previous operating system.

NEVER change permissions on ANYTHING on the system drive, regardless of how much you want to or think it's okay to do so.

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It says above "Never Change Permissions on Anything on the System Drive". I can understand that. Does this mean if I partition the drive it is OK or does it mean a completely different disk?

OK, I figured this out. Not sure how all of my files became Read-Only, but here is how you change them. You only need to change the top folder and all of them below get changed, so it is not that big a deal. Go to a top folder and do the following ==

Right Click and bring up the Properties Menu

Click on that and then the Security Tab

Click on Edit and you will see Administrator, Creator or User to click on

Also check the boxes for Full Control

Click apply and OK

That should do it.