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I have a directory of files on a Windows XP Pro system (running as a member of a domain) which appears to have the read-only flag set for the directory itself. Applications that respect the flag will not modify files in this directory. However, I cannot remove the read-only flag. Using the usual method of selecting properties and unchecking the RO option doesn't work as the flag just gets reset immediately.

I have made sure that I have sufficient privileges, tried with the Admin account (both local and domain) and also changed ownerships several times, but nothing works. I have also tried the procedure listed in MS KB #326549, still nothing.

I ended up working around this by tar'ing up the directory and moving it somewhere else using Cygwin, but the original directory is still unwritable.

Any ideas?

-j

Iknow this is obvious but.... have you got a trojan or some other program accessing these files... virus check and remove spyware... what is the directory called..

what type of disk is it - dynamic or basic.
I had this problem with a couple of directories and only solved the problem by converting the disk back to basic :-(

Virus checking is pretty strict on my systems, so I am pretty sure that won't be a problem. The files are not open from any other programs. The directory just contains some of my documents (python code, databases etc). It isn't a system directory or anything strange.

As for the disk type... I have no idea, what's the difference? It's just an NTFS formatted standard PC disk, nothing fancy.

-j

Have you checked if the permissions of your folder/dir are being inherited? try clearing the 'Inherit from parent the permission entries that apply to child objects' and try to remove the flag again.

If that fails, XP KB articles 320081 and 308419 may help.