Best 9 Fixes for a Folder that Reverts to Read Only

If you have ever experienced a folder that reverts to read-only, you know how frustrating it can be. The inability to make changes or save files can make working on meaningful projects or collaborating with others difficult.

The good news is that this issue is common, and several solutions are available to fix it. This article will explore the best 9 fixes for a folder that keeps reverting to read-only.

Whether you are a Windows or Mac user, these fixes will help you regain control of your files and folders and ensure they remain in the state you want them to be.

Why does my folder keep reverting to read only?

There are various reasons why folder reverts to read-only. Some of the primary causes include:

• Permission issues: This problem usually occurs if a user does not have the proper permission to modify the folder or when there is a conflict with other permissions on the system.
• System error: You can face this problem when a bug or glitch in the operating system or a third-party application interferes with the folder settings.
• Virus or malware: Malware and viruses can also cause folders to become read-only.
• Disk errors: Disk errors can cause folders to revert to read-only. This can happen when bad sectors are on the hard drive or when the disk is corrupted, and the system cannot write data.
• Ownership issues: You can also face this problem when the user account that created the folder is no longer available or when the ownership of the folder is changed to a different user.

How do I fix a folder that keeps reverting to read-only in Windows?

1. Change the Windows defender firewall settings

1. Type control panel in the search bar and select Open.
   
2. Select System and Security.
   
3. Select Windows defender firewall, and on the left pane, click Restore defaults.
   
4. Click the Restore defaults button, and in the pop-up menu, click Yes.
   
5. Confirm to see if this solution fixed the problem.

2. Rule out a folder-specific issue

1. Locate the reverting folder to read-only, right-click on it, and select Properties.
   
2. In the General tab, uncheck the Read-only box, select Apply and finally, click OK.
   
3. Now verify to see if the problem persists.

3. Ensure that an administrator has not added any restrictions

3.1 If you are not an administrator

1. Locate the folder that is reverting to read-only, right-click on it, and select Properties.
   
2. Click the Security tab and choose your username from the options available.
3. After selecting your account, check for permissions for the Users section.
   
4. If the access was restricted by mistake, ask the administrator to grant you access to that folder.

3.2 If you are an administrator

1. Log in with your administrator account.
2. Locate the folder that is reverting to read-only, right-click on it, and select Properties.
   
3. Select the Security tab and click the Edit button.
   
4. Select the user you want to grant access to from the list of options.
5. Check the box on the right side of the Full control option, select Apply, and click OK.
   

4. Remove the read-only attribute by force

1. Press Windows + R simultaneously and then type cmd in the run dialogue.
   
2. Input the following command by stating the drive and identifying the path to the read-only folder.
   attrib -s -h -r "Drive:\path_to_folder\*.*" /s /d
   
3. Verify to see if this step has fixed this problem.

5. Disable ransomware protection

1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously and select Update & Security.
   
2. Select Windows Security and choose Virus & threat protection.
   
3. Select the Manage ransomware protection option.
   
4. Disable the toggle under the Controlled folder access option.
   
5. Check to see if the problem has been resolved.

6. Run SFC and DISM scan

6.1 Run SFC scan

1. In the search bar, type command prompt and choose Run as administrator.
   
2. Input the following command into the command prompt and hit Enter.
   sfc/scannow
   
3. If there are any errors, follow the on-screen instructions to fix them.

6.2 Run DISM scan

1. In the search bar, type command prompt and click Run as administrator.
   
2. Input the following command into the command prompt and hit Enter after each command.
   DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   
3. Allow the command to finish running and then restart your PC.

7. Temporarily disable third-party anti-virus

Sometimes, third-party anti-virus software can interfere with file permissions and cause the read-only attribute to revert. In such cases, disabling the anti-virus temporarily can allow for proper permission changes to take effect.

However, it is crucial to note that disabling the anti-virus should only be done as a troubleshooting step, not as a permanent solution.

8. Go back to a previous restore point

1. In the search bar, type create a restore point and select Open.
   
2. Click on the System Restore button.
   
3. Click the Next button.
   
4. Select a restore point to undo changes and then click Next.
   
5. Finally, click on the Finish button.
   
   

9. Uninstall any recent Windows update

1. Press the Windows + I keys and select Update & Security.
   
2. In the Windows Update category, select View update history.
   
3. Next, select Uninstall updates, and a list of all your updates will be displayed.
   
4. Choose the updates you want to uninstall and click the Uninstall option.
   
   

The solutions listed in this article will help resolve the folder reverts to read-only issues, so try different solutions until you find the one that works for you.

Tell us in the comment section which solutions were the most helpful to you.