6 Fixes For Folder Keeps Reverting To Read Only

Windows users have a brilliant feature that allows them to set Folders to ‘read only’ option. It is generally a security feature. But, some users have reported that their ‘Folder keeps reverting to read-only.’ Even after they change the settings, this setting remains intact. This could be an error.

But don’t you worry, this guide is going to help you make changes to the file. Even if you find it impossible to do so, you will find plenty of reasons. So, let’s get started and tell you more about this feature and the solutions.

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Folder Keeps Reverting To Read Only: Cause Of The Problem

The read only option is for those who want to protect their file from any kind of mishandling. Many users like to disable it so that they can make changes to the secured file or folder. Sometimes despite disabling the feature, it gets enabled. That’s the issue many users encounter.

Thus, it is crucial to know the root cause of the problem to find a suitable solution. After all, without knowing the cause, you can’t fix it. So, here are some of the reasons that might be responsible for the error you are facing:

System Updates: The ‘Read-only’ settings for files can be quite incompatible. This happens when you create a file in an older version. But now, you’re trying to use it in the latest version of Windows 10. As a result, you might face the error.
Permission Settings: Almost everything on Windows 10 works with specific permissions. Some have Admin permissions, while others have restricted access. Sometimes these settings get altered without your knowledge. Thus, the said issue arises.
Security Applications: Some third-party antivirus applications are responsible for the said error. Such applications might see the files as a threat to the system. As a result, the read only feature gets enabled. Thus, every time you restart your system, the settings get reset.
Corrupted Files: There are high chances that the file is corrupted. Thus, you receive such errors. So, Windows is not to blame for such errors always.

Solutions For Folder Keeps Reverting To Read Only

Check The Controlled Folder Access Settings
Customize Folder Attributes
Log in With The Administrator Account
Change The Permissions
Uninstall Or Disable Third-Party Antivirus Application
Repair The Corrupted Files By Running SFC And DISM Scan

Solve Folder Keeps Reverting To Read Only

1. Check The Controlled Folder Access Settings And Disable It

Virus & Threat protection options in windows 10

Sometimes by default, the settings enable a controlled folder access feature. Due to this reason, your system might restrict you from making any changes to your file. So to disable it follow these steps:

Go to the search bar and type “Windows Security.” Click on Windows Security to go to its settings.
On the left pane, you will see the option of “Virus & Threat Protection.” Tap on it to open it.
Under the Virus & threat protection settings section, you will find “Manage Settings.” Click on it.
Tap on “Manage Controlled folder access” under the section Controlled folder access.
Disable the feature by switching it off.
Once you have carried out the whole process, restart your system.

After your system reboot, try to open and edit the file again. If the problem persists, carry out other methods mentioned ahead.

2. Customize Folder Attributes

Sometimes the error is deep-rooted and requires you to change the folder’s attributes. In short, you can find the read only command in your folder’s attribute. To make this error go away, you need to remove that command. The following steps will help you do that:

Open the Start Menu, take the cursor to the search bar, and type Command in the search box.
You will get a result known as ‘Command Prompt.’ Move your cursor to the option and right-click on it.
A small menu with several options will appear. Click on the Run As Administrator option to make the required changes.
A dialogue box might appear on the screen, ensuring whether you allow the program to make changes or not. To proceed, click on Yes.
Now to change the command and remove the read only attribute type in the new command:

Attrib -R +S Drive:<Directory to the folder or file><Name of the folder>

If you encounter some problems with the System Attributes, type in this command:

Attrib -R -S Drive:/<Path to the folder or file>/<Name of the folder>

The above-mentioned command might do some other modifications to your system as well. But, those changes are not the big ones, so you need not worry about them.

3. Log in With The Administrator Account

Account access and settings in Windows 10

It is also possible that you are unable to make changes to a certain file due to its origin. If the file originates from an administrator account, you can’t make changes to it. Thus, you need to log in to the administrator account to do so. You can follow these steps for that:

Open the Command Prompt by typing CMD in the search box of the start menu. Right-click on the CMD and select the run as administrator option.
To make changes as an administrator, log in to the administrator account. To do so, type the following command:

net user administrator /active: yes

After typing in the above command, you will get logged into the administrator account.

Once you are active as an administrator, try to re-access the file and check if it has fixed the issue or not.

4. Change The Permissions Settings

Folder settings permissions and other options

The permission settings won’t allow you to open or change certain files most of the time. It happens because of security reasons. So, if that’s the issue you are facing, you can fix it with these simple steps below:

Go to the drive where your file or folder is.
Now, take the mouse pointer to the drive and right-click on it. Choose Properties from the listed options.
Open the Security tab and tap on the Advanced option.
Advanced Security settings will appear on your screen. Click on the Change Permission and go to the Permission Entries.
Choose your account from the given list and tap on Edit.
Now, open the drop-down menu and select the This Folder, Subfolder, and Files option.
Select and tick the Full control option box from the Basic Permissions.
Finally, to save the changes that you have made, click on Apply and then on OK.

These steps should work if you do not have several user accounts on your computer. But, if that’s not the case and you have several users account, you need to follow some more steps:

Press the Windows Key + R.
A dialogue box will appear, allowing you to type in a command in the empty area. So type C:\Users and press on the enter key or click on OK.
All the folders of the user account will display on the screen. So, right-tap on any other account (not the one you are currently using). Select the Properties option.
Open the Security tab and select the Advanced option to open advanced settings.
Select the Enable Inheritance option from the Advanced Security Settings.
Save the changes made by you by clicking on Apply and then click on OK.

After carrying out the steps mentioned above, go back to the file you were trying to make changes on. Check whether the above solution has fixed the error or not. Also, restart the system for proper functioning.

5. Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus Application Or Disable It

Sometimes the third-party antivirus or security applications change the settings of the file. Also, they might treat some files as a threat to the system. Due to this reason, the folders keep reverting to ‘read only.’ As a result, such applications reset the settings of the files each time you switch on the system. In such situations, you can either uninstall the antivirus application or disable it.

To uninstall the security or antivirus application, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key and R Key; a dialogue box will appear with an empty field on the screen.
Type appwiz.cpl into the empty field of the run dialogue box and hit the enter key.
A list of applications that you have installed on your system will appear. Find the application that you want to uninstall and right-click on it.
Select the Uninstall option from the drop-down menu.
A dialogue box will appear, ensuring whether you want to remove the application or not. Click on Yes to proceed with the process of removing the application.

After you have uninstalled the application, restart your system. Now, try to access the file and check whether the above steps have resolved the error or not.

To disable the application, follow these steps:

Find the antivirus application icon from the Windows notification area.
Right-click on the icon. Now, select the option that indicates disabling of the application. The options can be like disable, stop or shut down.
Once you have disabled the application, restart your PC.

After applying the above steps, go to the file that you were trying to edit. This time it should work without any error.

6. Repair The Corrupted Files By Running SFC And DISM Scan

One of the main reasons to encounter read-only errors is corrupted files. There might also be some issues with your window system. Thus, you can run SFC and DISM scans on your system to fix and restore all the potential damage. Even so, for a safe and sound system, you must perform the following steps every now and then:

Open the Start menu and search for CMD in the search box.
Right-click on the CMD or Command Prompt option and select run as administrator.
A run dialogue box will appear on the screen; type the following command on the empty field:

sfc/scannow

Press the enter key, and the system will start the SFC scan.

After your system has executed the SFC scan and the process is complete, you can run the DISM scan.

Enter these three commands one after another to clean and repair damaged files:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Scanhealth

After typing in the above command, press the enter key and let the scanning process begin.
Once the system has scanned the file, proceed with the command below to restore the files:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Finally, proceed with the last command to clean the components:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

You can restart the computer after the scan and check whether you can access the files or not.

Conclusion – Folder Keeps Reverting To Read Only Windows 10

From now on, if you ever come across the message that states “folder keeps reverting to read only,” you will know how to diagnose these. So, go ahead and solve these solutions by yourself. Become your expert by checking for the solutions we have provided to you.

Yet, if nothing works, then there might be an internal issue. Such issues or errors are best handled by a professional. So, if you think that the problem is beyond your control, do not hesitate to seek professional help.