The 'Program Files' folder and its read-only attribute

Hi

As you know, the Program Files folder is a special folder and normally
has its read-only attribute set in order for it to display a warning
message when viewed as a Web page - read-only enables the desktop.ini
and folder.htt files to be parsed. For ages my folder has had
"read-only" marked but recently, I noticed that the read-only
attribute had been removed. This also meant the warning (about
modifying contents) was no longer displayed.

I've tried re-checking the read-only attribute and even tried setting
it from DOS by typing 'attrib +r "Program Files"' or 'attrib +r
Progra~1' but every time I boot Windows, the read-only attribute is
removed.

Why is this happening and how can I prevent it? The read-only
attribute needs to stay marked so that the folder customization is
displayed. Incidentally, the same thing happened to my
Windows\System32 folder, so I re-checked read-only but this time it
stayed marked - how strange!

Regards

Daniel Lam

In DOS try:
attrib +r c:\progra~1

--
Brian A.

Jack of all trades, Master of none.
One can never truly be a master as there is always more to learn.


"Daniel Lam" wrote in message
m...
Hi

As you know, the Program Files folder is a special folder and normally
has its read-only attribute set in order for it to display a warning
message when viewed as a Web page - read-only enables the desktop.ini
and folder.htt files to be parsed. For ages my folder has had
"read-only" marked but recently, I noticed that the read-only
attribute had been removed. This also meant the warning (about
modifying contents) was no longer displayed.

I've tried re-checking the read-only attribute and even tried setting
it from DOS by typing 'attrib +r "Program Files"' or 'attrib +r
Progra~1' but every time I boot Windows, the read-only attribute is
removed.

Why is this happening and how can I prevent it? The read-only
attribute needs to stay marked so that the folder customization is
displayed. Incidentally, the same thing happened to my
Windows\System32 folder, so I re-checked read-only but this time it
stayed marked - how strange!

Regards

Daniel Lam

"START, Settings, Folder Options, View tab."
Bolt "Show all files" & UNcheck "Hide file extensions...", so that you
will be able to see whether there is a "Desktop.ini" & "Folders.htt"
files in Program Files.

Open Explorer to Program Files. Are those two in there?

Well, my "Program Files" was "Hidden" & did have those two. So, I R-Clkd
an empty area in the R-pane (open to Program Files), & selected
"Customize this folder". I removed Customization & closed/re-opened
Explorer. Now...

(a) Program Files is no longer Hidden, (happened automatically).
(b) "Desktop.ini" & "Folders.htt" are no longer in the folder.

I can set the folder to be Hidden manually, but choose not to do so. I
don't see why I need it. But, play with "Customize..." & see what
happens for you.

Here is more...

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\Adv
anced
ShowAttribCol 0x00000001 (1) --DWORD. Value data: 1
ShowSuperHidden 0x00000001 (1) --DWORD: 1
PersistBrowsers 0x00000001 (1) --DWORD: 1

ShowAttribCol See Attributes listed in Explorer
ShowSuperHidden Well, I saw my first .htt after setting that.
PersistBrowsers An open folder will remain open after a reboot.

"ShowAttribCol" has no space in it's name, although it seems that way
with this font. (None of them do.) Type a "1" in "Value Data". It won't
look like a simple "1" in the right pane. If the column doesn't appear
immediately in Explorer, then re-boot.

1. "START button, Run"; Type "RegEdit" & Enter.
2. Click the plus (+) signs in the left pane starting at
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER" & ending at "Explorer".
3. Finally, click the key "Advanced" in the left pane.
4. In the right pane, R-Clk an empty area; point to "new"; select
"Dword value"; type or paste "ShowAttribCol" & Enter.
---Do the other two now also, if you wish.---
5. R-Clk "ShowAttribCol"; select "Modify", enter "1" in Value Data, &
click OK.
---Do the other two now also, if you wish.---
6. Close RegEdit & reboot, if it doesn't already show in Explorer.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Daniel Lam" wrote in message
m...
| Hi
|
| As you know, the Program Files folder is a special folder and normally
| has its read-only attribute set in order for it to display a warning
| message when viewed as a Web page - read-only enables the desktop.ini
| and folder.htt files to be parsed. For ages my folder has had
| "read-only" marked but recently, I noticed that the read-only
| attribute had been removed. This also meant the warning (about
| modifying contents) was no longer displayed.
|
| I've tried re-checking the read-only attribute and even tried setting
| it from DOS by typing 'attrib +r "Program Files"' or 'attrib +r
| Progra~1' but every time I boot Windows, the read-only attribute is
| removed.
|
| Why is this happening and how can I prevent it? The read-only
| attribute needs to stay marked so that the folder customization is
| displayed. Incidentally, the same thing happened to my
| Windows\System32 folder, so I re-checked read-only but this time it
| stayed marked - how strange!
|
| Regards
|
| Daniel Lam