What is that lock icon on my folder and how do I remove it or unlock i


  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 64 Professional
       #1

    What is that lock icon on my folder and how do I remove it or unlock i


    What is that lock icon on my folder and how do I remove it or unlock it ?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #2

    Usually that's an indication of permissions/sharing being set on the folder.
    What is the actual folder you are refering to?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Hello Mettam,

    The small gold lock icon in Windows 7 indicates that the file or folder can only be accessed by you, and not any other user on your computer. That's all. :)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #4

    If you wanted to remove it, just right click on the folder > Properties > Security > Click "Edit" next to change permissions > Click "add" > if the folder is nothing really personal etc, type "everyone" Into the dialog box. Hit the enter key and "Apply", "Ok" etc.

    Permissions - Allow or Deny Users and Groups

    Hope that helps.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 64 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    It's my C:\Users\username directory.

    I opened the properties on this folder and unchecked Read-only thinking this would remove the lock icon, it went ahead and changed the properties on all folders and files within that directory structure, and yet the lock icon remained. Have screwed something up ? no signs of any problems yet.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 64 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Christian Smith said:
    If you wanted to remove it, just right click on the folder > Properties > Security > Click "Edit" next to change permissions > Click "add" > if the folder is nothing really personal etc, type "everyone" Into the dialog box. Hit the enter key and "Apply", "Ok" etc.

    Permissions - Allow or Deny Users and Groups

    Hope that helps.
    Thank you.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #7

    Unchecking Read-only for a folder would only set all files in the folder to be not read-only. That's what they are by default anyways.

    If you didn't want to share anything in your user folder, then this is fine to have the lock on it since that's what it indicates.
      My Computer


 

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