Can't remove write protection in Windows 7












5














I have a problem with the write protection of Windows 7. All my files in my users folder are protected and it is impossible to remove. When I uncheck the checkbox, a progressbar runs threw but everything stays unchanged.
I've also tried to change it in the command line with



attrib -r C:UsersUsername*.* /d /s


but nothing has changed.
What else can I try? Thanyou!










share|improve this question






















  • I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
    – skotschi
    Apr 28 '11 at 14:02










  • What version of Windows 7?
    – Not Kyle stop stalking me
    Apr 28 '11 at 15:04












  • The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
    – kreemoweet
    Jan 31 '12 at 5:52










  • @kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
    – Synetech
    Sep 4 '12 at 15:59






  • 1




    Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
    – Konstantin Naryshkin
    Sep 4 '12 at 16:16
















5














I have a problem with the write protection of Windows 7. All my files in my users folder are protected and it is impossible to remove. When I uncheck the checkbox, a progressbar runs threw but everything stays unchanged.
I've also tried to change it in the command line with



attrib -r C:UsersUsername*.* /d /s


but nothing has changed.
What else can I try? Thanyou!










share|improve this question






















  • I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
    – skotschi
    Apr 28 '11 at 14:02










  • What version of Windows 7?
    – Not Kyle stop stalking me
    Apr 28 '11 at 15:04












  • The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
    – kreemoweet
    Jan 31 '12 at 5:52










  • @kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
    – Synetech
    Sep 4 '12 at 15:59






  • 1




    Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
    – Konstantin Naryshkin
    Sep 4 '12 at 16:16














5












5








5







I have a problem with the write protection of Windows 7. All my files in my users folder are protected and it is impossible to remove. When I uncheck the checkbox, a progressbar runs threw but everything stays unchanged.
I've also tried to change it in the command line with



attrib -r C:UsersUsername*.* /d /s


but nothing has changed.
What else can I try? Thanyou!










share|improve this question













I have a problem with the write protection of Windows 7. All my files in my users folder are protected and it is impossible to remove. When I uncheck the checkbox, a progressbar runs threw but everything stays unchanged.
I've also tried to change it in the command line with



attrib -r C:UsersUsername*.* /d /s


but nothing has changed.
What else can I try? Thanyou!







windows-7 write-protect






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Apr 23 '11 at 20:17









skotschi

26112




26112












  • I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
    – skotschi
    Apr 28 '11 at 14:02










  • What version of Windows 7?
    – Not Kyle stop stalking me
    Apr 28 '11 at 15:04












  • The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
    – kreemoweet
    Jan 31 '12 at 5:52










  • @kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
    – Synetech
    Sep 4 '12 at 15:59






  • 1




    Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
    – Konstantin Naryshkin
    Sep 4 '12 at 16:16


















  • I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
    – skotschi
    Apr 28 '11 at 14:02










  • What version of Windows 7?
    – Not Kyle stop stalking me
    Apr 28 '11 at 15:04












  • The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
    – kreemoweet
    Jan 31 '12 at 5:52










  • @kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
    – Synetech
    Sep 4 '12 at 15:59






  • 1




    Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
    – Konstantin Naryshkin
    Sep 4 '12 at 16:16
















I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
– skotschi
Apr 28 '11 at 14:02




I am desperate. I've tried everything. chkdsk.exe doesn't help, check disk on start-up doesn't help. I can't even download music from the iTunes store because the entire library is locked.
– skotschi
Apr 28 '11 at 14:02












What version of Windows 7?
– Not Kyle stop stalking me
Apr 28 '11 at 15:04






What version of Windows 7?
– Not Kyle stop stalking me
Apr 28 '11 at 15:04














The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
– kreemoweet
Jan 31 '12 at 5:52




The /d switch in your command line means it will apply only to directories, and the ReadOnly attribute on directories is pretty much meaningless. If you cannot create files in those directories, there is something else preventing it, such as permissions.
– kreemoweet
Jan 31 '12 at 5:52












@kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
– Synetech
Sep 4 '12 at 15:59




@kreemoweet, you can use the attribute to give folders their own icons. ;-) But yes, the problem should be solved by running it again without the /d switch to strip the read-only attribute from files.
– Synetech
Sep 4 '12 at 15:59




1




1




Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
– Konstantin Naryshkin
Sep 4 '12 at 16:16




Do you have write permission for the files? In the GUI, right click on the directory, go into the security tab, and give yourself full control. Then, try to change the attributes again.
– Konstantin Naryshkin
Sep 4 '12 at 16:16










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















0














Try a chkdsk.exe C: to do a basic check of the disk. Sometimes this fixes your problem. Make sure to use an elevated command line.






share|improve this answer





















  • When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
    – skotschi
    Apr 23 '11 at 20:47












  • @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
    – Moab
    Apr 24 '11 at 3:22



















0














Maybe it is a virus?

I saw joke-viruses like that. They lock files simply opening them in "lock read write" mode.
Try Sysinternals' Handle.exe . If the files are locked with that method, Handle will give you the name of locker.






share|improve this answer





























    0














    Download Hiren Boot Cd 15.2, burn to CD, then boot your computer from CD. Executes the mini version of Windows XP. Optimizations in the disk section there is a simple application to reset the NTFS permissions of a folder or entire disk.






    share|improve this answer





























      0














      Move the files to a fat or fat32 formatted thumbdrive (or any drive) and back.






      share|improve this answer





















      • Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
        – Canadian Luke
        Jun 20 '14 at 15:23



















      -1














      May be you do not have needed access rights for this folder?
      In this case login in Windows as Admin, open this folder (C:UsersYour user)
      and change (add ownership as Your user) access rules (Properties->Security->Edit) to this folder.






      share|improve this answer





















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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        0














        Try a chkdsk.exe C: to do a basic check of the disk. Sometimes this fixes your problem. Make sure to use an elevated command line.






        share|improve this answer





















        • When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
          – skotschi
          Apr 23 '11 at 20:47












        • @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
          – Moab
          Apr 24 '11 at 3:22
















        0














        Try a chkdsk.exe C: to do a basic check of the disk. Sometimes this fixes your problem. Make sure to use an elevated command line.






        share|improve this answer





















        • When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
          – skotschi
          Apr 23 '11 at 20:47












        • @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
          – Moab
          Apr 24 '11 at 3:22














        0












        0








        0






        Try a chkdsk.exe C: to do a basic check of the disk. Sometimes this fixes your problem. Make sure to use an elevated command line.






        share|improve this answer












        Try a chkdsk.exe C: to do a basic check of the disk. Sometimes this fixes your problem. Make sure to use an elevated command line.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Apr 23 '11 at 20:37









        Peter Hahndorf

        8,58953758




        8,58953758












        • When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
          – skotschi
          Apr 23 '11 at 20:47












        • @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
          – Moab
          Apr 24 '11 at 3:22


















        • When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
          – skotschi
          Apr 23 '11 at 20:47












        • @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
          – Moab
          Apr 24 '11 at 3:22
















        When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
        – skotschi
        Apr 23 '11 at 20:47






        When I start the chkdsk.exe the first thing it says is: Warning! The parameter F wasn't stated. chkdsk works in protected mode. Sorry if it istn't the acurate warning, but I have to translate it.
        – skotschi
        Apr 23 '11 at 20:47














        @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
        – Moab
        Apr 24 '11 at 3:22




        @skotschi, see this...howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/…
        – Moab
        Apr 24 '11 at 3:22













        0














        Maybe it is a virus?

        I saw joke-viruses like that. They lock files simply opening them in "lock read write" mode.
        Try Sysinternals' Handle.exe . If the files are locked with that method, Handle will give you the name of locker.






        share|improve this answer


























          0














          Maybe it is a virus?

          I saw joke-viruses like that. They lock files simply opening them in "lock read write" mode.
          Try Sysinternals' Handle.exe . If the files are locked with that method, Handle will give you the name of locker.






          share|improve this answer
























            0












            0








            0






            Maybe it is a virus?

            I saw joke-viruses like that. They lock files simply opening them in "lock read write" mode.
            Try Sysinternals' Handle.exe . If the files are locked with that method, Handle will give you the name of locker.






            share|improve this answer












            Maybe it is a virus?

            I saw joke-viruses like that. They lock files simply opening them in "lock read write" mode.
            Try Sysinternals' Handle.exe . If the files are locked with that method, Handle will give you the name of locker.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Sep 25 '12 at 19:15









            Searush

            6412919




            6412919























                0














                Download Hiren Boot Cd 15.2, burn to CD, then boot your computer from CD. Executes the mini version of Windows XP. Optimizations in the disk section there is a simple application to reset the NTFS permissions of a folder or entire disk.






                share|improve this answer


























                  0














                  Download Hiren Boot Cd 15.2, burn to CD, then boot your computer from CD. Executes the mini version of Windows XP. Optimizations in the disk section there is a simple application to reset the NTFS permissions of a folder or entire disk.






                  share|improve this answer
























                    0












                    0








                    0






                    Download Hiren Boot Cd 15.2, burn to CD, then boot your computer from CD. Executes the mini version of Windows XP. Optimizations in the disk section there is a simple application to reset the NTFS permissions of a folder or entire disk.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Download Hiren Boot Cd 15.2, burn to CD, then boot your computer from CD. Executes the mini version of Windows XP. Optimizations in the disk section there is a simple application to reset the NTFS permissions of a folder or entire disk.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 30 '12 at 2:08









                    KakashiSan

                    732




                    732























                        0














                        Move the files to a fat or fat32 formatted thumbdrive (or any drive) and back.






                        share|improve this answer





















                        • Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                          – Canadian Luke
                          Jun 20 '14 at 15:23
















                        0














                        Move the files to a fat or fat32 formatted thumbdrive (or any drive) and back.






                        share|improve this answer





















                        • Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                          – Canadian Luke
                          Jun 20 '14 at 15:23














                        0












                        0








                        0






                        Move the files to a fat or fat32 formatted thumbdrive (or any drive) and back.






                        share|improve this answer












                        Move the files to a fat or fat32 formatted thumbdrive (or any drive) and back.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered Jun 20 '14 at 15:01









                        Colyn1337

                        1,163823




                        1,163823












                        • Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                          – Canadian Luke
                          Jun 20 '14 at 15:23


















                        • Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                          – Canadian Luke
                          Jun 20 '14 at 15:23
















                        Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                        – Canadian Luke
                        Jun 20 '14 at 15:23




                        Can you expand, maybe to explain why moving files to a FAT-formatted partition would allow this to work? Maybe also mention any limits of using a FAT-style partition (i.e. limited to 4GB file size, unless you're using exFAT)?
                        – Canadian Luke
                        Jun 20 '14 at 15:23











                        -1














                        May be you do not have needed access rights for this folder?
                        In this case login in Windows as Admin, open this folder (C:UsersYour user)
                        and change (add ownership as Your user) access rules (Properties->Security->Edit) to this folder.






                        share|improve this answer


























                          -1














                          May be you do not have needed access rights for this folder?
                          In this case login in Windows as Admin, open this folder (C:UsersYour user)
                          and change (add ownership as Your user) access rules (Properties->Security->Edit) to this folder.






                          share|improve this answer
























                            -1












                            -1








                            -1






                            May be you do not have needed access rights for this folder?
                            In this case login in Windows as Admin, open this folder (C:UsersYour user)
                            and change (add ownership as Your user) access rules (Properties->Security->Edit) to this folder.






                            share|improve this answer












                            May be you do not have needed access rights for this folder?
                            In this case login in Windows as Admin, open this folder (C:UsersYour user)
                            and change (add ownership as Your user) access rules (Properties->Security->Edit) to this folder.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Jul 21 '16 at 14:29









                            Linda

                            1




                            1






























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