Desktop converts everything to 'Read Only'.

[Riverrat83]

Any file or document that I transfer or copy to my desktop converts to 'read only'! How can I put an end to this troublesome quirk? This just started out of the blue. I've tried many of the remedies and solutions posted in this forum so far---so far nothing works!

 

[Ranger4]

Hi Riverrat83, welcome to the Forum.

Are you talking about files that are from within your own computer of files that have been transferred from another computer?.

 

[SIW2]

Goto folder

C:\USERS\<your account>. Rt click "desktop">properties>general>untick read only>apply>ok

 

[Riverrat83]

Ranger4---Sorry I didn't clarify. These are files written from my Microsoft Office Word Starter 2010. When I write these files in my 'document folder' (from my start menu), they are okay. But when I transfer them to my desktop they are automatically converted to 'read only'. This just started happening.

SIW2---The 'read only' box is not checked to begin with. It is shaded in blue, and nothing I do to it has any effect. It just remains blue, and the files remain 'read only'.

I appreciate your trying to help guys. Thanx much.

 

[Ranger4]

Have you tried an Office Repair. To do that open Control Panel, then open Programs & Features, scroll down to Microsoft Office, Right click on it & select Change, this should open a couple of Repair options. Try both of the repair options & see if that fixes the problem.

 

[Riverrat83]

In Microsoft Office I have only 2 options---Organize & Uninstall. I tried 'Organizing' but that did nothing.

 

[Ranger4]

Try what is suggested on this website. Office 2010 Starter does not always have the same options that the full version of Office has, but it's worth a try.

How to stop Office 2010 from opening file in readonly mode - Super User

 

[bawldiggle]

My applogies to Riverrat83

@ SIW2

C:\USERS\<your account>. Rt click "desktop">properties>general>untick read only>apply>ok

My Desktop setting is partially greyed out , it can be disabled and enabled.

What does this setting do, if enabled or disabled, particularly how it affects desktop items ?

 

[SIW2]

What does this setting do

It affects whether they are read only.

 

[Riverrat83]

Given Up.

Okay guys, (and maybe gals).Thanks for the help, but I've thrown in the towel. I've tried a hundred different options, hours upon end, remedies, fixes, you name it, and I still CANNOT get rid of the 'read only' attribute that appears in any file that I move to my desktop, or have created from my desktop.
I can create a file from my startup/documents/quick notes---but when I move it to my desktop---it converts to 'read only'. Funny part is, when I'm in 'documents', if I use the file menu to 'create a shortcut', and have it moved to my desktop, the file remains editable. In attrib, the 'read only' box is not checked, and not colored blue.
I've decided that this is the only way I deal with this problem without further frustration. Again, thanks for the help.

 

[iko22]

It is an attribute setting in either

%SYSVOL%\USER\%USERPROFILE%\DESKTOP\FILENAME.EXT
or
%SYSVOL%\USER\%USERPROFILE%\DESKTOP\
or
%SYSVOL%\USER\%USERPROFILE%\
or
%SYSVOL%\USER\

that is producing the read only write protect. However, this is already proving to be frustrating.

Dose the computer have other user accounts? I have seen this before happen when all of a sudden %USERPROFILE% cannot access own folders, yet administrator ("admin") and guest ("Everybody") can access %USERPROFILE% folders.

If it has happened only recently, then Windows Updates might have caused the problem.

So, instead try undoing/rolling back recent updates and see if that cures the issue.

Alternatively, you could try disable the guest user account, (that is what I did on mine) and see if the issue remains or has been solved.

 

[Ranger4]

I can create a file from my startup/documents/quick notes---but when I move it to my desktop---it converts to 'read only'. Funny part is, when I'm in 'documents', if I use the file menu to 'create a shortcut', and have it moved to my desktop, the file remains editable. In attrib, the 'read only' box is not checked, and not colored blue.
I've decided that this is the only way I deal with this problem without further frustration. Again, thanks for the help

.

It seems that the method you are using is not saving the document to where it should be saved, so it is not related to any program on your computer & hence it opens as read only. In other words the computer cannot find the where the root file is located so it's opening it as Read Only, which means you cannot edit of change it.

Normally you would create a document in Word & save it in the normal way, which would be saved to your default folder, which is usually in the Documents Library. You could check where Word is saving documents, by opening File, then Options, then Save & look for the Default saving location.

Using the Short Cut method to save it to the Desktop is really the best method as it preserves the original location & does not scatter documents in the wrong folders.