Windows XP doesn't actually recursively change attributes

"This issue is described in KB326549: You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista

The solution given there is to simply use the command-line attrib command to remove the attributes, like so:

attrib -r -s ""c:\somepath\my readonly folder"""

"http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/24940/why-cant-i-remove-the-read-only-flag-from-a-windows-xp-or-windows-2000-folder.html


Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).
Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer subkey.
Select New -> DWORD Value from the Edit menu.
Enter a name of
UseSystemForSystemFolders
and press Enter.
Double-click the new value, set it to 1, and click OK.
Close the registry editor.
Reboot the machine for the changes to take effect.


Once you've done this you should be able to change your folder permissions."