# Why can't I make folders not Read Only?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-folders-not-read-only/279926>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 15, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-folders-not-read-only/279926 "2004-12-15T04:27:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-folders-not-read-only/279926/1 "2004-12-15T04:27:25Z")

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I’m running Windows XP Home.

I can’t get rid of the Read Only attribute on the folder properties window. Initially, the check box is grayed out, but I can still click and remove the check. After that, it will function like a normal check box until I close the window. The folder will still be Read Only, and when I open the folder properties window again that check box is still grayed out. This appears to be the case for ever single folder on my computer.

Strangely, I can modify/create/delete files in all my folders, so the Read Only function doesn’t seem to be doing anything. The only reason I’ve even tried to change the attribute is because of a problem with only one program. What gives?

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**Author:** ![Cugel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cugel/32/1199_2.png) [@Cugel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cugel)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-folders-not-read-only/279926/2 "2004-12-15T07:57:59Z")

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This is as intended, it seems.  
[http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549)

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-i-make-folders-not-read-only/279926/3 "2004-12-15T22:02:00Z")

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Microsoft has a knack for this sort of explanation (from the above link) -

> [@](#):
>
> This behavior is by design.