How to remove lock icon from folders?

[nate42nd]

Thanks very much, I will do that!

 

[logicearth]

*sigh* Honestly, should just leave things alone...I seriously doubt having locks are the folders is that big of a deal...changing permissions on a file/folder just because you don't like the locks is a ridiculous reason.

 

[nate42nd]

I really don't care about a lock on the folder. It just seems there is something not right if you share a folder then stop sharing and this changes the UI of "look" of the folder. What is so odd about wanting things to look right and work right?

There are other reasons too but I can't see how people would think this is "just how it is"

Let's find out what's wrong and fix it.

 

[logicearth]

Let's find out what's wrong and fix it.

Something needs to be wrong first. And there is nothing wrong here. Believing we are smarter then the computer or the people that build these things is what is wrong.

 

[nate42nd]

"to each his own"

If they don't bother you when you see them, fine. Leave them there. This forum is here to share information. I don't like them there.

Find someone else to put down, it's not working for you here. But I hope we can be friends in the future. You may want to go help someone solve a "real" problem. Have a good one.

 

[MAGO55]

I have tried...

Hi everyone. Im completely new here and i have the same problem with the padlock icons. They dont seem to affect anything, but i just dont like seeing them in most of mi picture files.
I have tried the methods described here and none of them has worked. If anyone has any other options or ideas to get rid of those annoying icons, i would appreciate it.
Thanks!

 

[logicearth]

Padlocks have a meaning, understand the meaning and you understand why they show up.
http://www.sevenforums.com/434033-post1.html

 

[s5v8tfsi]

Hi, I found this solution from another forum, it works for me and perhaps you guys might find it useful

Solved: Folder Lock Icon - Tech Support Guy Forums

here may be other reasons for the lock overlay on a folder icon, but what I've found is the lock overlay means the file/folder permissions have been changed and is restricted in some way from what would be inherited, usually that not every one has access to read the folder and it's contents.
For example, if you remove the HomeUser group from having Read & Execute permission to a folder under My Documents, the lock overlay will appear. (I do have my Documents shared in a HomeGroup)
Removing the Users and Authenticated user groups from a folder created in the root of a drive will also add the lock overlay to the folder icon.
You can remove the lock overlay in this case by resetting the permissions to be inherited, and removing all permissions that are not inherited.
Right click the folder, click Properties
Click the Security tab
Click Advanced
Click Change Permissions
Check Both boxes to Include inheritable permissions, and to Replace all child object permissions
Click Apply then click Yes
Wait for the list to refresh
Remove all permissions that say <not inherited>

That should remove the Lock overlay.
You may need to Uncheck Use Sharing Wizard in Control Panel | Folder Options | View tab to see the Security tab, and may have to boot to Safe Mode as well if running Home Basic or Premium.

If you are not sure about what the permissions do, may be best to leave them alone. Definitely, do not add a Deny permission of any kind unless you are certain of how it will work. You can lock yourself out of the system by adding a Deny permission in the wrong place, especially if you deny a group rather than a user.

 

[aspergerian]

I use Photoshop CS4 regularly and have used it appropriately on a HP 64 bit w7 for the last several weeks. Recently, however, every image I try to open via Bridge into CS4 generates a message saying, can't open, file is locked. I need to unlock hundreds of folders containing thousands of photos. I've been looking on web and trying a few things, but nothing has worked. This thread is at least close.

 

[logicearth]

I use Photoshop CS4 regularly and have used it appropriately on a HP 64 bit w7 for the last several weeks. Recently, however, every image I try to open via Bridge into CS4 generates a message saying, can't open, file is locked. I need to unlock hundreds of folders containing thousands of photos. I've been looking on web and trying a few things, but nothing has worked. This thread is at least close.

What you are talking about is completely different then what this silly (IMHO) thread is about. Try using Unlocker to unlock the files you need. Unlocker - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

 

[aspergerian]

Unlocker didn't seem to work

Before posting, I had tried Unlocker. Right-click offered no options, tried accessing files from with CS4-Bridge and from other directories. Ran a thorough Norton scan and no malware was found. Connected the external HD to a different w7 computer and both Bridge and CS4 worked properly. Image-files I opened were not locked. Thus the problem seems somewhat narrowed in scope - a setting or something in the other w7 computer (which had been running Bridge and CS4 quite well).

 

[Maggy]

If you are not sure about what the permissions do, may be best to leave them alone. Definitely, do not add a Deny permission of any kind unless you are certain of how it will work. You can lock yourself out of the system by adding a Deny permission in the wrong place, especially if you deny a group rather than a user.

That's a good advice. I also found out that it's not a good idea to change permissions on anything in
the Windows folder or subfolders,
the Program Files folder or subfolders,
the recycle bin or
System Volume Information.
Don't try this at home, at work or wherever.
Don't mess with C:\ , if you set permissions for C:\ plus all inherited folders and files, the fastest disaster recovery will be a full reinstall.

 

[Stillwater]

well crap. i did happen to mess with C:/ how do i return it do its defaults?

and my folder isnt locked, but a WAV. file is.

 

[Tepid]

well crap. i did happen to mess with C:/ how do i return it do its defaults?

and my folder isnt locked, but a WAV. file is.

Try a System Restore.

And My advice to everyone is,, to just ignore the locks unless you can't access a file or folder that you know you should be able to.

Then come here and ask about it.

Yes, 7 is different, sure we want to learn about the differences, but I think (imo) too much is being made of all this (and other things) that novices shouldn't really be concerned with.
But they see a bunch of hoopla being made over something quite insignificant and think, "Hey, I should be worried about this too", when really they shouldn't be.

In other words, some things should just be left alone.

In my opinion of course.

 

[Stillwater]

well crap. i did happen to mess with C:/ how do i return it do its defaults?

and my folder isnt locked, but a WAV. file is.

Try a System Restore.

And My advice to everyone is,, to just ignore the locks unless you can't access a file or folder that you know you should be able to.

Then come here and ask about it.

Yes, 7 is different, sure we want to learn about the differences, but I think (imo) too much is being made of all this (and other things) that novices shouldn't really be concerned with.
But they see a bunch of hoopla being made over something quite insignificant and think, "Hey, I should be worried about this too", when really they shouldn't be.

In other words, some things should just be left alone.

In my opinion of course.

Will the system restore delete everything i have?

also, will it make my computer run weaker in the future?

 

[Tepid]

See this tutorial on System Restore

Will the system restore delete everything i have?

No, it should not delete everything you have.

also, will it make my computer run weaker in the future?

No, it should not make the system run weaker.

--------------------------
and with that, I rest my case. (no offense intended stillwater)

 

[unifex]

Wow, system restore just to remove a lock from one file - that's too extreme to my taste. In my system I found that the lock has something to do with permissions. If you want to remove the lock, you have to take ownership of the file, make sure no weird users are on the permissions, make sure you have full permissions and sometimes (if all else fails) add user Everyone and give full permissions. That last one would unlock anything, however, you have to consider security. In my case though - I am the only user of the machine - there are no security issues. In your case - that's your call. Simply a wav file - I would not think adding Everyone puts you at any risk. But then again, I don't know your circumstances.

 

[Tepid]

Wow, system restore just to remove a lock from one file

No,, he broke something while messing around with the locks (i assume) that needs fixed, that a System Restore Point might fix.

Not to use System Restore to remove the picture of a lock on a file.

you have to take ownership of the file

And this is being thrown around way too much.

People need to be careful about using Take Ownership, you do not want to do this just to do this. You need to know what you are taking ownership of and why.

 

[unifex]

People need to be careful about using Take Ownership, you do not want to do this just to do this. You need to know what you are taking ownership of and why.

Sure, you're right. However, on an actually personal computer - I see no problem that can arise from being the owner of your own files. I was responding to the phrase "and my folder isnt locked, but a WAV. file is" . I figured he messed up permissions somehow and can't access his own file. Taking ownership is the fastest solution to that. At the same time, I would not recommend messing with permissions of system files and so on. That being said, a wav file is not anything that can cause any problems, right?

 

[Tepid]

People need to be careful about using Take Ownership, you do not want to do this just to do this. You need to know what you are taking ownership of and why.

Sure, you're right. However, on an actually personal computer - I see no problem that can arise from being the owner of your own files. I was responding to the phrase "and my folder isnt locked, but a WAV. file is" . I figured he messed up permissions somehow and can't access his own file. Taking ownership is the fastest solution to that. At the same time, I would not recommend messing with permissions of system files and so on.

Well, the problem is,,, TakeOwn is a very powerful tool, which should not be given as a casual answer.

It needs to be explained and pointed out that, it should not be used willy nilly just cause you don't have rights to something. And it is thrown around way too much in my opinion. So I am trying to do a little educating on the subject.