220-1101 Question 186
Single answerAttributesA technician is troubleshooting a Windows laptop for a user who says a project folder on a USB flash drive cannot be modified. The user can open the files and copy them elsewhere, but any attempt to save changes back to the original files fails. Other folders on the same drive can be edited normally, and the user has sufficient NTFS permissions on the workstation. Which action should the technician take FIRST to resolve this issue?
- A
Disable the hidden attribute on the folder
- B
Clear the read-only attribute on the affected files or folder
- C
Convert the USB flash drive from FAT32 to NTFS
- D
Take ownership of the folder from the current user
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
This question tests practical understanding of Windows file attributes in a real support scenario. In Windows, common file attributes include read-only, hidden, and system. The read-only attribute commonly prevents users or applications from saving changes back to the same file, even when the file can still be opened and copied. Because the issue is limited to a specific project folder and permissions have already been ruled out, the technician should first inspect and clear the read-only attribute on the affected files or folder. This follows standard troubleshooting best practice: start with the simplest, most likely, and least disruptive fix before making broader changes such as converting file systems or modifying ownership. Microsoft documentation for Windows file and folder properties identifies read-only and hidden as standard attributes, and read-only is the attribute most closely associated with preventing modifications to existing files.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The hidden attribute affects visibility in File Explorer, not whether a user can modify file contents. A hidden file can still be edited if permissions and other attributes allow it. This distractor targets the common confusion between hidden and read-only attributes.
- B. Correct.
Correct. If the user can open and copy files but cannot save changes back to the originals, the read-only attribute is a likely cause. Clearing the read-only attribute is the first and least disruptive troubleshooting step when only specific files or a folder are affected and permissions are otherwise sufficient.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. File system conversion is unnecessary based on the scenario. FAT32 and NTFS differ in features such as permissions and file-size limits, but the symptom points to an attribute on specific files or folders, especially since other folders on the same USB drive work normally.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Taking ownership is used when access is blocked by permissions or ownership issues. In this scenario, the user can access and copy the files, and the prompt states the user has sufficient permissions. This makes ownership an unlikely first step.