XP Explorer - Changing folder icon makes folder read only

Gill,

The Read-only and System attributes is only used by Windows Explorer to
determine whether the folder is a special folder, such as a system folder
that has its view customized by Windows (for example, My Documents,
Favorites, Fonts, Downloaded Program Files), or a folder that you customized
by using the Customize tab of the folder's Properties dialog box. As a
result, Windows Explorer does not allow you to view or change the Read-only
or System attributes of folders.

1. If you do not want the customizations, try this:
Workaround, use Attrib command:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326549
NOTE: If you remove the Read-only or System attribute from a folder, it may
appear as a ordinary folder and some customizations may be lost.

2. If you want the customizations, but still able to write to the folder,
try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256614
[ Windows Explorer uses the Read-Only attribute to determine whether or not
the folder is customized. To work around this behavior, you can configure
Windows Explorer to use the System flag instead of the Read-Only flag ]


--
Regards,
Ramesh
SRamesh2k@hotmail.com


"Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...
I have changed the icon for my folder to make it stand
out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties and
then changed it on the Customize tab).

The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
files etc).

Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files, but if
I try and add a new file I get the message saying that
the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
happens repeatedly.

All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via the
Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to the
folder. I presume that some system setting has been made.
Is there something I can do to reset this? As I said, all
the security settings on the file Properties window are
set to allow me all rights for the folder.

Many thanks,

Gill

Hi David,

Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?

thank you.

--
Regards,
Ramesh
SRamesh2k@hotmail.com


"David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
If this is truely the case then Robocop is following it's own rules. The
file system does not recognise or care what the read only attribute is on a
folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells explorer that their is
metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).

Generally only very old programs that are doing things that windows should
be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't read the specs and b/
is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the program rather than releying
on windows to.

Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on the Windows XP CD in
support tools. I think it needs seperate install but if suppport tools is
installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is real man stuff, not
like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.

Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are looking for the feature
(there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is read only. All these
compat options are for common programmer's errors.

Read only on folders has been used since August 1995 to signify there is
metadata available. It had no meaning before then (which is why it was used
to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow you to change the
read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse for robocop.
--
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
"Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> I have changed the icon for my folder to make it stand
> out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties and
> then changed it on the Customize tab).
>
> The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
> files etc).
>
> Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files, but if
> I try and add a new file I get the message saying that
> the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
> happens repeatedly.
>
> All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
> access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via the
> Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to the
> folder. I presume that some system setting has been made.
> Is there something I can do to reset this? As I said, all
> the security settings on the file Properties window are
> set to allow me all rights for the folder.
>
> Many thanks,
>
> Gill

Well they're the two options given in the KB.

Both will work. However more programs will have a problem with system than read only. System files are treated as hidden files/folders in 2000/ME which may affect networking. All command prompts on all MS products will refuse to show them (System originally meant that files in the root directory with the system attribute will be copied to a floppy by Format - eg the boot files for when custom drivers are needed to boot)

However if they suit the user they are fine.

As MS went to the trouble of making an XP compat "fix" for programs in this way, that I think is the safest way. However if the user never uses a command prompt and doesn't share his drive then it's a fine work around.

I personnally would just remove the icon.
--
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
"Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:OenhFmGeDHA.988@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

>
> Hi David,
>
> Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?
>
> thank you.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ramesh
> SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
>
>
> "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> If this is truely the case then Robocop is following it's own rules. The
> file system does not recognise or care what the read only attribute is on a
> folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells explorer that their is
> metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).
>
> Generally only very old programs that are doing things that windows should
> be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't read the specs and b/
> is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the program rather than releying
> on windows to.
>
> Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on the Windows XP CD in
> support tools. I think it needs seperate install but if suppport tools is
> installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is real man stuff, not
> like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.
>
> Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are looking for the feature
> (there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is read only. All these
> compat options are for common programmer's errors.
>
> Read only on folders has been used since August 1995 to signify there is
> metadata available. It had no meaning before then (which is why it was used
> to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow you to change the
> read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse for robocop.
> --
> David Candy
> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> "Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
> news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> > I have changed the icon for my folder to make it stand
> > out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties and
> > then changed it on the Customize tab).
> >
> > The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
> > files etc).
> >
> > Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files, but if
> > I try and add a new file I get the message saying that
> > the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
> > happens repeatedly.
> >
> > All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
> > access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via the
> > Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to the
> > folder. I presume that some system setting has been made.
> > Is there something I can do to reset this? As I said, all
> > the security settings on the file Properties window are
> > set to allow me all rights for the folder.
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Gill

>
>

Thank you!

--
Regards,
Ramesh
SRamesh2k@hotmail.com


"David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:OjfK6MHeDHA.2748@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
Well they're the two options given in the KB.

Both will work. However more programs will have a problem with system than
read only. System files are treated as hidden files/folders in 2000/ME which
may affect networking. All command prompts on all MS products will refuse to
show them (System originally meant that files in the root directory with the
system attribute will be copied to a floppy by Format - eg the boot files
for when custom drivers are needed to boot)

However if they suit the user they are fine.

As MS went to the trouble of making an XP compat "fix" for programs in this
way, that I think is the safest way. However if the user never uses a
command prompt and doesn't share his drive then it's a fine work around.

I personnally would just remove the icon.
--
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
"Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OenhFmGeDHA.988@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

>
> Hi David,
>
> Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?
>
> thank you.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ramesh
> SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
>
>
> "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> If this is truely the case then Robocop is following it's own rules. The
> file system does not recognise or care what the read only attribute is on

a

> folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells explorer that their

is

> metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).
>
> Generally only very old programs that are doing things that windows should
> be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't read the specs and

b/

> is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the program rather than

releying

> on windows to.
>
> Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on the Windows XP CD in
> support tools. I think it needs seperate install but if suppport tools is
> installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is real man stuff, not
> like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.
>
> Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are looking for the feature
> (there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is read only. All these
> compat options are for common programmer's errors.
>
> Read only on folders has been used since August 1995 to signify there is
> metadata available. It had no meaning before then (which is why it was

used

> to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow you to change the
> read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse for robocop.
> --
> David Candy
> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> "Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
> news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> > I have changed the icon for my folder to make it stand
> > out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties and
> > then changed it on the Customize tab).
> >
> > The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
> > files etc).
> >
> > Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files, but if
> > I try and add a new file I get the message saying that
> > the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
> > happens repeatedly.
> >
> > All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
> > access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via the
> > Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to the
> > folder. I presume that some system setting has been made.
> > Is there something I can do to reset this? As I said, all
> > the security settings on the file Properties window are
> > set to allow me all rights for the folder.
> >
> > Many thanks,
> >
> > Gill

>
>

Many thanks to you both for your help. I was relieved
that I was not being hopeless by not finding the data for
the folder icon! I will have a go at following your
suggestions today.

I have sent your information on to our network support
guys as I am sure they think that I am wrong in my
diagnosis of the cause of the problem!

Thanks again,

Gill

>-----Original Message-----
>
>Thank you!
>
>--
>Regards,
>Ramesh
>SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
>
>
>"David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
>news:OjfK6MHeDHA.2748@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>Well they're the two options given in the KB.
>
>Both will work. However more programs will have a

problem with system than

>read only. System files are treated as hidden

files/folders in 2000/ME which

>may affect networking. All command prompts on all MS

products will refuse to

>show them (System originally meant that files in the

root directory with the

>system attribute will be copied to a floppy by Format -

eg the boot files

>for when custom drivers are needed to boot)
>
>However if they suit the user they are fine.
>
>As MS went to the trouble of making an XP compat "fix"

for programs in this

>way, that I think is the safest way. However if the user

never uses a

>command prompt and doesn't share his drive then it's a

fine work around.

>
>I personnally would just remove the icon.
>--
>David Candy
>http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
>http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
>"Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:OenhFmGeDHA.988@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

>>
>> Hi David,
>>
>> Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?
>>
>> thank you.
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>> Ramesh
>> SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
>>
>>
>> "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
>> news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> If this is truely the case then Robocop is following

it's own rules. The

>> file system does not recognise or care what the read

only attribute is on

>a

>> folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells

explorer that their

>is

>> metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).
>>
>> Generally only very old programs that are doing things

that windows should

>> be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't

read the specs and

>b/

>> is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the

program rather than

>releying

>> on windows to.
>>
>> Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on

the Windows XP CD in

>> support tools. I think it needs seperate install but

if suppport tools is

>> installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is

real man stuff, not

>> like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.
>>
>> Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are

looking for the feature

>> (there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is

read only. All these

>> compat options are for common programmer's errors.
>>
>> Read only on folders has been used since August 1995

to signify there is

>> metadata available. It had no meaning before then

(which is why it was

>used

>> to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow

you to change the

>> read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse

for robocop.

>> --
>> David Candy
>> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
>> http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
>> "Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
>> news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

>> > I have changed the icon for my folder to make it

stand

>> > out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties

and

>> > then changed it on the Customize tab).
>> >
>> > The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
>> > files etc).
>> >
>> > Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files,

but if

>> > I try and add a new file I get the message saying

that

>> > the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
>> > happens repeatedly.
>> >
>> > All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
>> > access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via

the

>> > Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to

the

>> > folder. I presume that some system setting has been

made.

>> > Is there something I can do to reset this? As I

said, all

>> > the security settings on the file Properties window

are

>> > set to allow me all rights for the folder.
>> >
>> > Many thanks,
>> >
>> > Gill

>>
>>

>
>
>.
>

The metadata is in a hidden file in the folder called desktop.ini. It's a text file. Metadata is just MS big words.

--
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
"Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message news:032301c37910$1c553650$a001280a@phx.gbl...

> Many thanks to you both for your help. I was relieved
> that I was not being hopeless by not finding the data for
> the folder icon! I will have a go at following your
> suggestions today.
>
> I have sent your information on to our network support
> guys as I am sure they think that I am wrong in my
> diagnosis of the cause of the problem!
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Gill
>
>

> >-----Original Message-----
> >
> >Thank you!
> >
> >--
> >Regards,
> >Ramesh
> >SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
> >
> >
> >"David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> >news:OjfK6MHeDHA.2748@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> >Well they're the two options given in the KB.
> >
> >Both will work. However more programs will have a

> problem with system than

> >read only. System files are treated as hidden

> files/folders in 2000/ME which

> >may affect networking. All command prompts on all MS

> products will refuse to

> >show them (System originally meant that files in the

> root directory with the

> >system attribute will be copied to a floppy by Format -

> eg the boot files

> >for when custom drivers are needed to boot)
> >
> >However if they suit the user they are fine.
> >
> >As MS went to the trouble of making an XP compat "fix"

> for programs in this

> >way, that I think is the safest way. However if the user

> never uses a

> >command prompt and doesn't share his drive then it's a

> fine work around.

> >
> >I personnally would just remove the icon.
> >--
> >David Candy
> >http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> >http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> >"Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >news:OenhFmGeDHA.988@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

> >>
> >> Hi David,
> >>
> >> Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?
> >>
> >> thank you.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Regards,
> >> Ramesh
> >> SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
> >>
> >>
> >> "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> >> news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> >> If this is truely the case then Robocop is following

> it's own rules. The

> >> file system does not recognise or care what the read

> only attribute is on

> >a

> >> folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells

> explorer that their

> >is

> >> metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).
> >>
> >> Generally only very old programs that are doing things

> that windows should

> >> be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't

> read the specs and

> >b/

> >> is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the

> program rather than

> >releying

> >> on windows to.
> >>
> >> Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on

> the Windows XP CD in

> >> support tools. I think it needs seperate install but

> if suppport tools is

> >> installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is

> real man stuff, not

> >> like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.
> >>
> >> Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are

> looking for the feature

> >> (there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is

> read only. All these

> >> compat options are for common programmer's errors.
> >>
> >> Read only on folders has been used since August 1995

> to signify there is

> >> metadata available. It had no meaning before then

> (which is why it was

> >used

> >> to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow

> you to change the

> >> read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse

> for robocop.

> >> --
> >> David Candy
> >> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> >> http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> >> "Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
> >> news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...
> >> > I have changed the icon for my folder to make it

> stand

> >> > out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties

> and

> >> > then changed it on the Customize tab).
> >> >
> >> > The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
> >> > files etc).
> >> >
> >> > Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files,

> but if

> >> > I try and add a new file I get the message saying

> that

> >> > the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
> >> > happens repeatedly.
> >> >
> >> > All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
> >> > access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via

> the

> >> > Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to

> the

> >> > folder. I presume that some system setting has been

> made.

> >> > Is there something I can do to reset this? As I

> said, all

> >> > the security settings on the file Properties window

> are

> >> > set to allow me all rights for the folder.
> >> >
> >> > Many thanks,
> >> >
> >> > Gill
> >>
> >>

> >
> >
> >.
> >

PS Folders can be system or read only. Both mean parse the metadata. That registry key just sets the default that is applied when windows adds data to a folder. This is why I have all these tweaks about the system attribute on my web site. The difference between RO and System is (and I only think this works in 95 - not sure) is if deleting a system folder, and there is/isn't (can't remember - homework for you, eh? let us all know) a setting in the desktop ConfirmFileOps=0/1, then a dialog will popup saying "Folder is a system folder, sure you want to delete?".

So for one folder just change it from RO to System, making sure hidden is NOT also set on it. If you must use a command prompt use dir /a to see it.

I've included two script files that report the attribute and offers to change it.

Type Sendto in Start Run. Copy the two attached files into sendto. You can also put on the desktop and drag files/folders onto it.
--
David Candy
http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
"Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:ODO1VgHeDHA.884@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

>
> Thank you!
>
> --
> Regards,
> Ramesh
> SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
>
>
> "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:OjfK6MHeDHA.2748@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Well they're the two options given in the KB.
>
> Both will work. However more programs will have a problem with system than
> read only. System files are treated as hidden files/folders in 2000/ME which
> may affect networking. All command prompts on all MS products will refuse to
> show them (System originally meant that files in the root directory with the
> system attribute will be copied to a floppy by Format - eg the boot files
> for when custom drivers are needed to boot)
>
> However if they suit the user they are fine.
>
> As MS went to the trouble of making an XP compat "fix" for programs in this
> way, that I think is the safest way. However if the user never uses a
> command prompt and doesn't share his drive then it's a fine work around.
>
> I personnally would just remove the icon.
> --
> David Candy
> http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> "Ramesh" <sramesh2k@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:OenhFmGeDHA.988@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...

> >
> > Hi David,
> >
> > Could you check my response, if it suits the situation?
> >
> > thank you.
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Ramesh
> > SRamesh2k@hotmail.com
> >
> >
> > "David Candy" <david@mvps.org> wrote in message
> > news:uzL5DZGeDHA.1732@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > If this is truely the case then Robocop is following it's own rules. The
> > file system does not recognise or care what the read only attribute is on

> a

> > folder. Only the program explorer.exe does. It tells explorer that their

> is

> > metadata available for the folder (your custom icon).
> >
> > Generally only very old programs that are doing things that windows should
> > be doing have this problem. The programmers a/ didn't read the specs and

> b/

> > is enforcing the rules (which are wrong) in the program rather than

> releying

> > on windows to.
> >
> > Install the Application Compatability kit. It is on the Windows XP CD in
> > support tools. I think it needs seperate install but if suppport tools is
> > installed it will be in help (apcompat.exe). This is real man stuff, not
> > like that little girly Program Compatability Wizard.
> >
> > Create a custom compatability for robocop. You are looking for the feature
> > (there's about 200) that pretends that no folder is read only. All these
> > compat options are for common programmer's errors.
> >
> > Read only on folders has been used since August 1995 to signify there is
> > metadata available. It had no meaning before then (which is why it was

> used

> > to signify metadata). Explorer won't show you or allow you to change the
> > read only attribute on a folder. There is no excuse for robocop.
> > --
> > David Candy
> > http://www.mvps.org/serenitymacros/
> > http://www.simtel.com/pub/pd/18669.html
> > "Gill" <gill.harris@encodasystems.com> wrote in message
> > news:078001c37861$b1be85c0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> > > I have changed the icon for my folder to make it stand
> > > out (Via Explorer, clicked file, selected Properties and
> > > then changed it on the Customize tab).
> > >
> > > The folder had my RoboHelp HTML help project in (.htm
> > > files etc).
> > >
> > > Since doing this, I can amend existing .htm files, but if
> > > I try and add a new file I get the message saying that
> > > the folder is read only. I have recreated this and it
> > > happens repeatedly.
> > >
> > > All the settings for the folder are to allow me all
> > > access/rights. If I change the folder icon back (via the
> > > Restore Defualts), I still cannot add a new file to the
> > > folder. I presume that some system setting has been made.
> > > Is there something I can do to reset this? As I said, all
> > > the security settings on the file Properties window are
> > > set to allow me all rights for the folder.
> > >
> > > Many thanks,
> > >
> > > Gill

> >
> >

>
>

> Metadata is just MS big words.

Hardly.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=metadata