In some versions of Windows (notably XP), I think I've seen that box give a 'false positive' indication for read-only in the GUI. Might be better to dig down deeper with a command-line tool. I'll look.

Edit - like

http://blogs.technet.com/b/josebda/archive/2010/11/12/how-to-handle-ntfs-folder-permissions-security-descriptors-and-acls-in-powershell.aspx?

You can try "NTFS Access" by Zeus Software (Freeware, 26 KB)
http://www.zeus-software.com/downloads/ntfsaccess

Do you by chance have installed any "security package" (Antivirus) that may do this lock-of-permissions?

Thanks, but didn't help. I used this app on root of drive C:. It said all done, but then again, for example, BOINCdata dir was with read-only box marked.
It added sequirity record with my user name and "Full access" option, but on properties tab still "read only".... It's very strange but so.
And as I said before, I can clear this box (so user have rights to do so), also it asks to clear read-only on inner folders too, and it starts to clear... but when I open properties tab again - same checked box as before.
So, need to understand what area in Windows configuration hierarchy could override this.

And no, no any 3rd party AV soft there.

When you mentioned you were seeing read-only permission before I thought you meant in the security section.
If you are seeing the general read-only box as partially checked. Like this: http://i.imgur.com/nkI25ao.png. That is normal. You can see a folders true attributes from the command line. http://i.imgur.com/7gZsHzZ.png

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SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours
Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[

1) Yes, it looks like in that PNG picture.
2) If it would be only manifestation I would fine with it. Unfortunately, already installed apps really can't write in different drive C: folders... That's the real issue.
3)Will check with command line when be at that PC, thanks.

1) Yes, it looks like in that PNG picture.
2) If it would be only manifestation I would fine with it. Unfortunately, already installed apps really can't write in different drive C: folders... That's the real issue.
3)Will check with command line when be at that PC, thanks.

Even if I set attrib +r temp for my C:\temp folder I can still create new folders & add files. So issue seems to be more related to security rather than attribute. If you create a new folder on C: does it have the same issue?

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SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours
Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[

1) Yes, it looks like in that PNG picture.
2) If it would be only manifestation I would fine with it. Unfortunately, already installed apps really can't write in different drive C: folders... That's the real issue.
3)Will check with command line when be at that PC, thanks.

Even if I set attrib +r temp for my C:\temp folder I can still create new folders & add files. So issue seems to be more related to security rather than attribute. If you create a new folder on C: does it have the same issue?

Ok, one of manifestations of issue is inability of Chrome browser to download any file. Download just doesn't start. I will create new directory and try to set it inside Chrome's options as download folder.

Rasterman you have locked yourself out of the disc . If you have tried to change permissions in windows after you booted it wont work

I would try changing permissions with a DOS prompt .

you can convert a fat 32 to ntfs it is done in a DOS prompt

To convert a volume to NTFS from the command prompt

1.Open Command Prompt. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.


2.In the command prompt window, type: convert drive_letter: /fs:ntfs

If you can't remember how to change permissions in DOS let me know and i'll dig out the Exercise text book I have from the private school I went to to become Comp TIA Certyified and it has a whole section on this problem

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I would also try booting up in a command prompt and changing the permissions then and NOT let it boot to windows first .

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Did you try "Take control" ?
You can change permission about drives and folders.

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With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

Did you try "Take control" ?
You can change permission about drives and folders.

Is that the same as setting the ownership, which they have tried, or are you talking about a different function? I'm not familiar with "Take control". Unless maybe that is in one of the wizards?

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SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours
Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[

An option is to go into Windows Explorer, open that drive's properties, Security and grant Everyone permission to use that drive. "Everyone" can be an English group, but can also be set in Russian.

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And no, no any 3rd party AV soft there.

Then you may have malware?

One of my neighbours had a similar problem (Windows 7) - on external USB HDD one day he can't see 90% of the directories.
Inserted this USB HDD in my computer and using Total Commander it was clear all the data is there but many directories and files had the H and S attributes set.
As he can't explain who or what did that (his son, some "scanner") I just selected all and cleared H and S (again by Total Commander)

But a month later the same happened - and only then I discovered he don't use any Antivirus
Installing ESET NOD32 Antivirus revealed some stupid ransom-ware (I don't remember which) that do this "hiding"
I cleared H and S again and since then (~ year ago) he didn't have this "hiding" problem (NOD32 is still installed of course).

So consider a scan by the free On-demand ESET Online Scanner
https://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/

It is not really "Online" (you can exit the browser unless you use IE)
In fact you get a small file which downloads the main program and runs it
http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe




Or do you like more Dr.Web CureIt
http://free.drweb.com/cureit/

 

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- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 

1) Yes, it looks like in that PNG picture.
2) If it would be only manifestation I would fine with it. Unfortunately, already installed apps really can't write in different drive C: folders... That's the real issue.
3)Will check with command line when be at that PC, thanks.

Even if I set attrib +r temp for my C:\temp folder I can still create new folders & add files. So issue seems to be more related to security rather than attribute. If you create a new folder on C: does it have the same issue?

I created directory "test" on drive C: then text file 1.txt
No issues.
FAR shows no "read-only" attribute on both folder and file.
Explorer shows that semi-enabled "read-only" box again on folder so this can be just ignored indeed.
Then I tried to copy some file from USB flash to test directory - no issues.
Then I tried to copy same file from same flash to Download directory buried inside Users folder. FAR requested rights elevation (administrative account). That is, me as used can't write to that folder (though it just in my user profile).

That is, something wrong with security configuration of already existing folders.

And no, no any 3rd party AV soft there.

Then you may have malware?
 

Can't be excluded fully of course but it's very doubtful because of particular prehistory of this issue.
One of attempts to restore boot ability was to install fresh from Win7 DVD (windows.old directory was created) and then copy back all windows.old content.
So, some mess in security descriptors is expected. What unexpected - it can't be healed...

1) Yes, it looks like in that PNG picture.
2) If it would be only manifestation I would fine with it. Unfortunately, already installed apps really can't write in different drive C: folders... That's the real issue.
3)Will check with command line when be at that PC, thanks.

Even if I set attrib +r temp for my C:\temp folder I can still create new folders & add files. So issue seems to be more related to security rather than attribute. If you create a new folder on C: does it have the same issue?

I created directory "test" on drive C: then text file 1.txt
No issues.
FAR shows no "read-only" attribute on both folder and file.
Explorer shows that semi-enabled "read-only" box again on folder so this can be just ignored indeed.
Then I tried to copy some file from USB flash to test directory - no issues.
Then I tried to copy same file from same flash to Download directory buried inside Users folder. FAR requested rights elevation (administrative account). That is, me as used can't write to that folder (though it just in my user profile).

That is, something wrong with security configuration of already existing folders.

WoW, despite all prev atempts FAR shows owner of that Downloads folder as:
BUILTIN/Administrators (!)

An option is to go into Windows Explorer, open that drive's properties, Security and grant Everyone permission to use that drive. "Everyone" can be an English group, but can also be set in Russian.

You will laugh, but that Download folder has "Full Access" for "Everyone" ...

But also it has that "BUILTIN/Administrators" as owner...

Have you tried restoring Default Security Permissions?
How to restore Default Security Permissions

Yes, I tried few googled ways to restore default permissions including one with export/import from healthy PC. Will check this particular one.

EDIT: yes, "secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose " and variations were applied already, but will redu this exact line one more time (have image of partition :) ).

Now even more interesting: override ownership to my own user account via FAR.
Checked, that it persists (that is, closed that FAR instance, opened new one and owner showed as me still).
Did this for "subfolders" too (of course checked that "Read only" flag removed).
And.... still unable to copy file to that directory w/o rights elevation (!).
BTW, with rights elevation this is possible.

In short, I think it's damaged registry. New Windows installation perhaps put some new security seed inside registry. So mess occurs. But if it boots OK, why it can't just regain control with this new account over older files?....

Did you try the win 7 equivalent of dism?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/947821

This might not be nice, because you want to avoid win10, but it seems, you are running out of options.
You can still uninstall it, after use.

DISM worked for me nicely, but i have win 8.

EDIT:You might try: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
using the admin command prompt. Maybe it is working on win 7.

Did you try the win 7 equivalent of dism?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/947821

This might not be nice, because you want to avoid win10, but it seems, you are running out of options.
You can still uninstall it, after use.

DISM worked for me nicely, but i have win 8.

EDIT:You might try: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
using the admin command prompt. Maybe it is working on win 7.

Seems more as file corruption healer. In my case registry records somehow inconsistent.

However it also sorts out ownership of files.

What do you have to loose?
Worst case, you need to do a full reinstall anyway.

If you should use dism, you should run SFC /scannow afterwards ( admin command prompt)