All folders are read-only

Pyprohly · 22 Feb 2015

NoelDP said:

Folders CANNOT be read-only

Careful what you say there. Folders can have the read-only attribute set, though it is impossible for a user to set the read-only attribute on a folder through Windows Explorer.

Higgins, a read-only attribute on a folder does virtually nothing to the folder anyway. Nothing you need to concern yourself with.

From my observations, this blue blob in the properties of a folder is always blue; it has no meaning whatsoever.

The following batch file lists all folders (starting from C:\Users\%username%) that have the read-only attribute set.

Code:

@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
pushd "C:\Users\%USERNAME%"
for /f "delims=" %%I in (' dir /s /b /a:d ') do (
	for /f "delims=" %%G in (' attrib "%%~I" ') do (
		set _=%%G
		echo "!_:~0,13!" | find "R" >NUL && echo %%I
	)
)
popd
pause

NoelDP · 22 Feb 2015

Folders DO NOT HAVE a read-only attribute - so it cannot be set.
The only way to deny write access to folders is to specifically exclude write permissions.

Pyprohly · 22 Feb 2015

Folders CAN HAVE a read-only attribute - but it cannot be set through Explorer.

NoelDP · 22 Feb 2015

...and it can't be set by command-line either because Windows folders do not have the capability. The flag may be present, but has no effect on the file contents of the folder or the folder itself..

Pyprohly · 22 Feb 2015

NoelDP said:

...and it can't be set by command-line either because Windows folders do not have the capability.

The command line can indeed set the read-only attribute onto a folder.

Code:

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>md NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold
             C:\Users\Username\Desktop\NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold +r

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold
     R       C:\Users\Username\Desktop\NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>rd NewFold
Access is denied.

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold -r

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>rd NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>

NoelDP said:

The flag may be present, but has no effect on the file contents of the folder or the folder itself.

Yes. The read-only attribute on a folder is generally ignored by Windows. The read-only flag on folders is used for other things.

logicearth · 22 Feb 2015

For folders the read-only attribute is used to give Windows Explorer a hint that a "desktop.ini" file is within the directory and that it should use it. Removing the read-only attribute from a folder like "My Documents" effectively turns off the "desktop.ini" file customization for that folder. Concerning the read-only checkbox in folder properties. If one bothered to read it, it clearly states: "(Only applies to files in folder)" and no matter what you do, the checkbox will always have a solid indicator.

lehnerus2000 · 22 Feb 2015

Pyprohly said:

NoelDP said:

...and it can't be set by command-line either because Windows folders do not have the capability.

The command line can indeed set the read-only attribute onto a folder.

Code:

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>md NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold
             C:\Users\Username\Desktop\NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold +r

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold
     R       C:\Users\Username\Desktop\NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>rd NewFold
Access is denied.

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>attrib NewFold -r

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>rd NewFold

C:\Users\Username\Desktop>

Agreed.

Once you have set "Read-only" on a folder using the Command Prompt, Windows Explorer will indicate that it is "Read-only" in the Attributes column in Details view.

All folders are read-only-we-showing-folder-read-only.png

NoelDP · 22 Feb 2015

..but if you actually test id, the folder is NOT read-only, and it's posdible read and write it without restriction.

lehnerus2000 · 22 Feb 2015

NoelDP said:

..but if you actually test id, the folder is NOT read-only, and it's posdible read and write it without restriction.

That's true for Windows Explorer (which is why I wrote "indicate").
I haven't checked to see if it is true in the Command Prompt.

Pyprohly's code suggests that the Command Prompt behaves differently.

The way Windows 7 handles "Read-only" is one of my biggest gripes.

Layback Bear · 22 Feb 2015

Is anybody having a problem with a read only folder?
If so can you open the folder and have your way with the files in the folder?

I'm trying to understand what problem is needing fixed and why.