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How do I cancel the read-only attribute so I can access the folder?
Hello,
I have a folder which contains some pictures and videos. I was going to move to folder into another folder but by mistake I moved it into c:/program files/audible. (audible is a web based service where I can dowload audiobooks). Now I can't access my data folder (mystuff) because when I double click on it or try to move it somewhere else, I end up with an error message saying that c:/program files/audible/mystuff is not accessible, access denied. I think this is because the folder audible and all the subfolders are read-only. I am trying to undo this read-only attribute but I can't do that either. I right-click on mystuff folder (or audible folder) and choose properties. I can see at the bottom that the folder is indeed read-only. I uncheck this and click ok. If I am doing this with the mystuff folder everything looks ok but I still can't look into the folder and when I right-click and look at the properties, it is still read-only, no matter how many times I try. If I try the same thing with audible folder, it won't ever let me change the attribute. How can I disable this so I can access c:/program files/audible/mystuff? Or is there a reason other that this read-only attribute and is there something I can do about it? Your help is greatly appreciated....
After the first two answers, I feel need to add the following:
I appreciate the answers above but they don't solve the problem. First of all, about the second answer; yes there is a check in the read-only box but as my question states, I can't uncheck it. Now to the first answer; yes I have Windows XP media edition. When I right-click and choose properties, I see three tabs, namely general, sharing, customize. There is no security tab. And yes, if I log off and log back on as administrator, it is still the same. Any ideas? Thanks again...
I'll assume you have Windows XP. Vista should be similar, but I don't have a system handy to verify these steps. All folders have the read-only attribute. Access denied messages are usually the result of inadequate security permissions on NTFS file systems. Right click the c:/program files/audible/mystuff folder, choose properties, and select the security tab. You will see a list of groups and user accounts. Find and highlight your user account, then check the "Full Control" checkbox in the bottom pane. Click Apply. Click Advanced. Verify "Inherit from parent..." is checked. Click OK twice.
If you are not allowed to do this, you will need to logoff and login again using an Administrator account and repeat. Be careful on the security tab - you can lock yourself out of folders. If you see entries beginning with S and a long string of numbers have someone knowledgeable of NTFS permissions reset the permissions on the folder.
I appreciate the answers above but they don't solve the problem. First of all, about the second answer; yes there is a check in the read-only box but as my question states, I can't uncheck it. Now to the first answer; yes I have Windows XP media edition. When I right-click and choose properties, I see three tabs, namely general, sharing, customize. There is no security tab. And yes, if I log off and log back on as administrator, it is still the same. Any ideas? Thanks again...
The home versions of Windows XP are more of a headache. With XP Home you have to start computer in safe mode by hitting F8 at boot to edit permissions. I don't have a Media Center system to confirm this on, but try this first: Right click Start, choose Explore, Select Tools -> Folder Options, Select "View" tab, Scroll to bottom of list and uncheck "Use Simple File Sharing", Click "Apply". Then, see if permissions tab shows up on folder properties.
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