Windows-10 changed all my documents to "Read-Only"

For the record, of the several solutions I tried, the one that worked, stuck and fixed it is what is described here. I, too, would've preferred not to have made an "everyone" group but at this point, it's a pretty simple fix. Also, I'd add: make sure all the old groups have all permissions, just to be thorough. And uncheck the "read only" attribute AFTER creating this new group and apply, just to double down.
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http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/document-folders-marked-read-only-after-upgrade-to/4f00d3fe-82b0-4e6d-a92a-f81751aa6f51?auth=1

I've had the same kind of issue concerning a few random files in Win7. I didn't have any acces at all, and the workaround back then was hard to find, but simple to apply.

When you right-click the "main-folder" that you only have "read"-rights on, and enter properties, there is a security-tab, where there should be listed a few whitelisted-accessors. Those can be, but are not limited to; Users, System, Administator, etc...

Now, there should be a button just below the list, named "Edit" or "Manage" (translating this from a Danish operating-system...), and if you press that, you're given the option of adding or removing "accessors" and rights/allowances to them. Go ahead and press the "Add" button. Now, a new window will open with 3 slots - 2 of which should already be filled.

The last box should be empty, and here you should now write "EVERYONE" or "ALL" (again, translation from Danish...). Capital letters, may or may not be important. For me, it capitalised everything automatically.

Press the OK button, and select the "accessor" you've just created. Below the list, there should be 2 collums of squares with/without checkmarks. In the "Allow" collum, you should check all boxes, and in the "Deny" collum, all boxes should be un-checked. Duh..

Somewhere on this thread yesterday I read about downloading a program called "Takeownership". I downloaded this small file and have used it and all is well. I tried to take ownership of all of the My Documents and its folders and subfolders, but it was too big, so I did it folder by folder. A little tedious I know but it worked like a charm. Other than this I like Windows 10 as previously I worked with Windows 8 and it was a nightmare.

I had same problem. MS help reloaded office etc. I tried in administrator to unmark "read only" for the user name but without joy.
The second person I talked to at MS fixed it.
Right click on your folder eg. c:/users/mike, click properties, security tab, advanced tab, then tick the box about child permissions, allow, ok.
This seemed to clear permissions and let me open, change and save documents again.

I had the same problem with read only files. I tried everything listed here (except the takeownership.zip solution) but nothing worked. My folder properties did not show as read only, my permissions said I had full access, but the problem was still there. I finally contacted the Microsoft Answer Desk and they fixed it. It took over an hour for MS to reply to my chat request and about an hour for the MS tech to figure it out, but he did. He finally went to the command line and accessed what looked like "hidden" user profiles (although that may not be accurate), updated the permissions and VOILA! All was fixed. Well worth the 2 hours to end this frustration. All is fine now. Here's the link the answer desk: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contactus#

Same problem, here's my solution:
1) From file explorer, right click Documents folder (Make sure you get the one on your drive, not OneDrive).
2) Go to properties, click Security tab.
3) Click 'Advanced' towards the bottom.
4) In the Permissions tab, select the type you want (if you're not sure and you are the only user for your PC or trust all users, do next step for each type).
5) Make sure 'Type' is 'Allow' and 'Applies to' is 'this folder, subfolder and Files'. Click Edit and then make sure all of the Basic Permissions are checked off.
6) Click ok till all boxes are closed (3 or 4 times).

Only the owner of the fiIes can by default change the files. I don't know why the Win10 upgrade changed ownership of files, but this gave me ownership back.

After 3 hours of watching Rowena C. working directly on my computer as a supporting Microsoft Asia Tech expert, we came up with the following fixes that will work.

Now that I can subvert Windows 10's disturbing glitches. I can start communicating with the world again.

In the Windows 10 that I downloaded, all the old files become "read only". To edit them after you open them in Word 13 you have to click on View and then on Edit Document. Other softwares you will have to copy and paste them into a new file. After you edit you will not be able to save your work. The only way to save your edited work is to initially, when opening the software, right click on the desktop software icon when opening your software and click on "Run as Administrator". By doing this you have given yourself the permission to save your edited work.

It's wacky but that is the way it is now at Microsoft's Windows 10.

VTolpo

Following these directions fixed the problem for me:
To all of you who have the "Read only"-problem;

I've had the same kind of issue concerning a few random files in Win7. I didn't have any acces at all, and the workaround back then was hard to find, but simple to apply.

When you right-click the "main-folder" that you only have "read"-rights on, and enter properties, there is a security-tab, where there should be listed a few whitelisted-accessors. Those can be, but are not limited to; Users, System, Administator, etc...

Now, there should be a button just below the list, named "Edit" or "Manage" (translating this from a Danish operating-system...), and if you press that, you're given the option of adding or removing "accessors" and rights/allowances to them. Go ahead and press the "Add" button. Now, a new window will open with 3 slots - 2 of which should already be filled. The last box should be empty, and here you should now write "EVERYONE" or "ALL" (again, translation from Danish...). Capital letters, may or may not be important. For me, it capitalised everything automatically.

Press the OK button, and select the "accessor" you've just created. Below the list, there should be 2 collums of squares with/without checkmarks. In the "Allow" collum, you should check all boxes, and in the "Deny" collum, all boxes should be un-checked. Duh..

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-files/document-folders-marked-read-only-after-upgrade-to/4f00d3fe-82b0-4e6d-a92a-f81751aa6f51?auth=1

Okay this is what worked for me, might be a clue for others who have looked into this more.

The account in question was an @live.com account that talked to other devices
I first noticed this in using Screenpresso, (screenshot program). It would not allow me to save my screenshots to the Pictures directory under Documents.

1. I removed myself from the Homegroup
2, rebooted
3. logged in with an account not associated with MS, (i.e. regular windows user acct. but in the local administrators group).
4. logged out of the account from the previous step 3 and logged back in with the "@live.com"
account.
5. Now Screenpresso works and allows me to save, other functions seemed to be restored.

I am trying to be helpful here and maybe this will provide info to other people who use and understand Windows better than I do to connect why my fix worked. I am just happy it did.
This is kind of shotgun approach that basically pounds on things and not a very systematic.
Apologies for that!

So I have a bonafide fix, but most people probably wont like it. I got fed up with none of the other "fixes" working so I went into settings >update & security > recovery > reset this pc > and chose "remove everything" - prior to the upgrade from Win7 to Win10 I had already backed everything up and didnt have enough new stuff to warrant another backup (though would be recommended).

It fixed not being able to save or edit files in the folder or subfolders. Like the game Heroes of the Storm would not save the replays at all. The game Neverwinter Nights 2 Platinum I could not save the game. Even though it said it was saving if I went to load game there was no games to load. Also changes to the game settings wouldnt save either.

It took a couple hours to complete the fresh install. And of course, all the time to download & install all of the games and apps I use.

My problem was that Windows 10 was lying to me. The problem was not the read only file attribute that Win 10 was giving as the reason for not being able to write the file it was that the account permissions did not have Write privileges. I tried a number of times clearing the read only attribute but Windows kept telling me it was still on and the reason for not being able to write the file. Once I set the correct permissions for the account I was using everything worked as advertised.

I was having to same problems with my office files. Read only and unable to SAVE.
Installed this small app. and right moused click my documents folder and toke ownership.
Problem solved.
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/system_tools/misc_system_tools/take_ownership_shell_extension.cfm

WINDOW 10 HAVE CHANGED ALL MY DOCUMENTS TO READ ONLY. I HAVE BEEN USING WINDOWS 7 WITH MICROSOFT WORD 2007 WHICH WAS WORKING GREAT.HOW CAN I FIX THIS PROBLEM.

i ever met same issue before.and finnally i got that its because i didnt the choose the right "user".just go to the control panel.find the user account and change the settings. it took me really much time to figure this out .i even tryed to use MiniTool partition wizard to change the disk properties or somthing.finnally the issue is not as complex as i thought.hah..

change it back

I had exactly the same problem after upgrading to windows 10. I spent some time researching a solution, but whatever I did wouldn't work?

After changing permissions on individual folders, partitions etc, I still couldn't solve the issue. According to windows, I was the administrator, but in reality, I didn't have full control. I came to the conclusion that I needed to gain overall control. After digging around on the internet I found this solution 'My folders and files are read only'. I changed my permissions again, but this time in my Windows 'User' folder and it worked. I could now save my files where I wanted.

1. Enter the hard drive you want to remove the security of files on.
2. Right click on the top folder in the hard drive and select properties.
3. Go to the General tab and uncheck read only.
4. Click apply.
5. Select for windows to apply security changes to all contained folders and subfolders and click ok.
6. Wait for it to complete the changes and select ignore all when it runs into files that can not be changed such as windows files or continue to step 7.
7. Repeat from step 2 selecting the next folder until complete.

Now, there should be a button just below the list, named "Edit" or "Manage" (translating this from a Danish operating-system...), and if you press that, you're given the option of adding or removing "accessors" and rights/allowances to them. Go ahead and press the "Add" button. Now, a new window will open with 3 slots - 2 of which should already be filled. The last box should be empty, and here you should now write "EVERYONE" or "ALL" (again, translation from Danish...). Capital letters, may or may not be important. For me, it capitalised everything automatically.

Press the OK button, and select the "accessor" you've just created. Below the list, there should be 2 collums of squares with/without checkmarks. In the "Allow" collum, you should check all boxes, and in the "Deny" collum, all boxes should be un-checked