windows 11 folder stuck on read only

[Hermit]

ive tried everything and the documents folder is locked to "read only" and just reverts back when i change it.

[Ozymandias]

Assuming it didn't change with recent windows versions, here's what I've found some time ago on the official microsoft support IIRC:

Unlike the Read-only attribute for a file, the Read-only attribute for a folder is typically ignored by Windows, Windows components and accessories, and other programs.
For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer.

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.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Ozymandias:

Assuming it didn't change with recent windows versions, here's what I've found some time ago on the official microsoft support IIRC:

Unlike the Read-only attribute for a file, the Read-only attribute for a folder is typically ignored by Windows, Windows components and accessories, and other programs.
For example, you can delete, rename, and change a folder with the Read-only attribute by using Windows Explorer.

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.

this feels like a huge problem when i need to change things for mods. but my problem seemed to come from that i uninstalled OneDrive (forcefully) and couldn't do anything with skyrim modding till i reinstalled it.

[vikus]

Originally posted by Hermit:

ive tried everything and the documents folder is locked to "read only" and just reverts back when i change it.

I've noticed Windows 11 also auto sets all folders on my computer to read only. Perhaps it's a new security thing?

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Val:

Originally posted by Hermit:

ive tried everything and the documents folder is locked to "read only" and just reverts back when i change it.

I've noticed Windows 11 also auto sets all folders on my computer to read only. Perhaps it's a new security thing?

you can disable "controlled folders" in "windows security" but it didnt fix my skyrim problem.

[vikus]

Originally posted by Hermit:

Originally posted by Val:

I've noticed Windows 11 also auto sets all folders on my computer to read only. Perhaps it's a new security thing?

you can disable "controlled folders" in "windows security" but it didnt fix my skyrim problem.

Mine is and has been disabled, and it still sets everything to read only, including fresh installs of Skyrim. So idk.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Val:

Originally posted by Hermit:

you can disable "controlled folders" in "windows security" but it didnt fix my skyrim problem.

Mine is and has been disabled, and it still sets everything to read only, including fresh installs of Skyrim. So idk.

have you tried turning off tamper protection? haven't tried it yet.

[vikus]

Originally posted by Hermit:

Originally posted by Val:

Mine is and has been disabled, and it still sets everything to read only, including fresh installs of Skyrim. So idk.

have you tried turning off tamper protection? haven't tried it yet.

I just turned it off but stuff is still set to read only, so perhaps it doesn't apply retroactively?

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Val:

Originally posted by Hermit:

have you tried turning off tamper protection? haven't tried it yet.

I just turned it off but stuff is still set to read only, so perhaps it doesn't apply retroactively?

no idea but if you manage to figure this out please report back

[bLaCkShAd0w]

One thing to try would be setting it to writeable directly from command propmt.

1.
Click the Windows "Start" button and type "cmd" in the Search field.

2.
Press "Enter" to open the command window.

3.
Type the following command to remove the read-only attribute from a folder:

attrib -r drive:\path\foldername

Press "Enter," replacing "drive," "path" and "foldername" with the full path to the folder you want to change. Use the equivalent command, replacing "-r" with "+r" to set the folder to read-only.

4.
Type "exit" and press "Enter" to close the command window.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Hermit:

ive tried everything and the documents folder is locked to "read only" and just reverts back when i change it.

Create a Skyrim folder for the game, install the game there.
That way it won't be in a read only folder, and you can tweek the ini.

[bLaCkShAd0w]

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

Originally posted by Hermit:

ive tried everything and the documents folder is locked to "read only" and just reverts back when i change it.

Create a Skyrim folder for the game, install the game there.
That way it won't be in a read only folder, and you can tweek the ini.

The game is not installed to my documents... Installing it elsewhere will not solve the problem of not being able to read/write saves or edit .ini files from my documents, which is needed for the game to function in any sense.

[Avrie]

Ahhh, Have you tried rebooting? If a copy of the folder is stuck open it's absolutely normal for the attributes to say read only. As only one process can edit a folder at one time. Before you go into search and destroy mode. Make sure you do the simple steps first. do a full shut down, reboot, and check the folder properties again.

Also make sure you're not working in a Microsoft one drive clone of the desktop.

[Ozymandias]

I think it would be better if Hermit described his "skyrim problem". As I quoted in the first comment, Documents being read only isn't an issue. Mine is also read only, and so are the folders within. Even the backup folder I've created for my saves is, but it doesn't prevent me, the game or bethini from manipulating the files themselves.