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My KiCAD files keep being marked as read-only and I can't edit them on the Windows desktop app.

I have a KiCAD project stored in my Dropbox and am actively editing it.

I've never had issues with this arrangement before but suddenly opening some files as part of the larger KiCAD project inform me that they cannot be edited because the file is marked Read Only.

In Windows explorer I go and uncheck the entire folder from being made Read Only, but then immediately check properties again and Dropbox immediately remarks it Read Only.

I imagine this may impact similar types of applications with multiple files being opened and edited as part of a larger project.

How can I stop Dropbox from marking this project read only? Is my only option to move it out of Dropbox and then lose backup capability?

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Nancy

Welcome to our Community, @jg1219!

Are you experiencing the same behavior if you quit the Dropbox app and change the status of the files to not being read-only after that?

Is this happening to all KiCAD files that you’re trying to edit, and if yes, were they shared with you by another user?

Feel free to include a screenshot of any errors you're seeing, as well.

Keep me posted for any updates.

jg1219

I've just closed the project in KiCAD and quit Dropbox.

I then view properties of the project folder in Windows, uncheck Read-only, hit apply, and hit OK to close the properties window. I then re-open the properties window and Read-only is re-checked.

This is happening to KiCAD project files which are unshared with any other users. I created the project files offline on my own computer, then dragged the project into my Dropbox folder, then started having issues.

I just copied the entire project folder to my desktop (not in my dropbox), and observe the same exact behavior. I cannot fully uncheck the read only behavior. This did not start until I placed the project folder into my Dropbox.

Are there any hidden files from dropbox which enforce read only behavior?

jg1219

@NancyI am digging more and believe this may actually by a windows drive permission issue which was somehow inconveniently changed on a recent update. Will let you know if I'm able to resolve this in Windows.

Rich

jg1219 wrote:
I then view properties of the project folder in Windows, uncheck Read-only, hit apply, and hit OK to close the properties window. I then re-open the properties window and Read-only is re-checked.

That's normal for a folder in Windows. Go to any location on your drive and create a new folder, then check its properties. It will be read-only. That doesn't prevent you working with files in the folder.

jg1219

An update @Nancy I saved the KiCAD project as new in my Dropbox synced folder and the issue appears to be solved for now.

I posted this same question to the KiCAD forum and received a reply "I had issues when used Dropbox to store my projects. Changed to Google Drive and haven’t had any problems since."

So it appears there may be some weird issue with Dropbox <-> KiCAD which only shows up sometimes.