CROA

Overview

CROA is a handy utility that will clear the read-only bit of all subfolders and files in a specific folder. This is extremely useful after copying the contents of a CD to your hard drive.

Features

Install/Uninstall support
Easily accessed from Window's own context menu
Recurses subfolders
Completely free

Supported Operating Systems

Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows 2000 (Professional or Server)
Windows XP (Home or Professional)
Windows Server 2003
Windows 95
Windows NT 4.0 (Workstation or Server)

Version History

Version 1.6 - January 29, 2006

Is now installed into the program files folder, instead of the Windows folder
When started without command-line options, allows selecting of the starting folder
CROA will now change the attributes of folders
VB runtime files are now included
Compiled with VB6 now

Version 1.5 - November 7, 2004

Re-written using VB5 again (because I'm not using Delphi anymore)
Smaller download size
Cosmetic changes

Version 1.4 - April 3, 2003

Added /s command-line switch for silent operation

Version 1.3 - February 4, 2003

Now supports Windows XP Themes
Cosmetic changes

Version 1.2 - January 9, 2003

CROA now starts near the cursor position

Version 1.1 - December 10, 2002

Re-written using Delphi 5 to avoid the VB runtime dependency
Fixed cosmetic bug in path display
Improved installer

Version 1.0 - August 12, 2000

Original release

posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 6:33 PM

Feedback

# re: CROA
Asim writes on 3/29/2007 10:14 AM

Good

# re: CROA
Peter writes on 4/13/2007 7:35 AM

Hi David,
I use CROA - I love it. It is so fast, I don't get it ;-)

Any chance of a SROA. I want to read only my files as I seem to keep losing them occasionally (not me or a virus) and hope this might stop that happening. Anyway seems a good idea in any co-worker" environment anyway ;-)

Interesting you want to get in to writing. I'm a writer who thought I was trying to get in to coding.
We both work in marketing related industries and my specialty if music (composition).

Any way "Hi". manytahnks for CROA and would love a SROA.

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 4/13/2007 10:21 AM

Peter,

I wrote CROA back when I used Windows 98. Windows XP allows you to the same thing that CROA does by unchecking the read-only checkbox on the properties dialog for a folder. It does take a couple of extra clicks though. I keep CROA around because it is simpler, and it's quite popular.

You can set the read-only bit by checking the read-only checkbox on the folder properties dialog, and it will prompt to do it for all files and subfolders.

CROA really isn't required anymore, it's just a convenience.

# re: CROA
Herman Carnell McCrea writes on 4/14/2007 6:04 PM

Thank you for the program. As you say, XP allows you to set/unset the read-only attributes for files/folders/subfolders, BUT, for some reason on my system (outlined further down), the read-only status box always ends up being 'on' in the attribute dialog. Looking at the individual files shows that everything's okay, just a shock to the visual apperature to see that little box with the green square in it. La-la!

My System: Dual-Core 3.4GHz Pentium IV, ASUS P5L-MX motherboard, 2GB RAM, triple 250GB 7,200RPM SATA hard drives, 256MB XFX video, Sound Blaster audio PCI, 16x DVD writer, DVD ROM, multiple media reader/writer, 2 USB1 ports, 5 USB2 ports, Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 2.

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 4/14/2007 7:32 PM

Herman,

The read-only checkbox on the folder properties dialog is a tri-state checkbox. If you see a square in it, it's not indicating read-only, it's indicating a "no-change" condition. If you actually see a check in the box, that is telling the OS to mark that folder (and optionally files and subfolders) with the read-only flag.

# re: CROA
george elder writes on 5/22/2007 10:43 AM

I have nothing but good to say about croa. thank you for the product you saved me so much time and trouble having to go through the programs and remove all the read only attributes. thanks once again

# re: CROA
Long, Nguyen The writes on 6/21/2007 12:42 AM

Thank you very, ... very much,
DAVID, your software is too excellent
Thanks once again.
(From Vietnam)

# re: CROA
Robert E Fields writes on 7/12/2007 12:34 PM

WOW !!! CROA cleared the read only attributes on something over 700 files virtually instantly. Excellent. You should publicize this more. Fantastic program and timesaver. THANKS THANKS THANKS, both to you and PCSoft, where I got the info. A lifesaver. Bob Fields

# re: CROA
Deepak writes on 7/15/2007 6:27 AM

I use CROA - I love it. It is so fast, I don't get it

# re: CROA
leo writes on 7/19/2007 5:03 AM

thanks

# re: CROA
V.V. writes on 8/7/2007 2:03 AM

I hate to be a party-pooper, but it doesn't work for me -- at all! I'm running XP & it simply doesn't change any RO attributes, no matter how many times I try (FYI - I run XP)

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 8/7/2007 8:45 AM

V. V.
Please re-read the 5th comment on this page (my 2nd comment).

Thanks.

# re: CROA
Rob Jackson writes on 8/22/2007 6:18 AM

I have a problem with windows server 2003 with the sage folder, it constantly displays read only and i cannot remove it normally, so I tried the attrib command which also failed, and then I tried CROA which ran through the process (like everything else) and then when I right clicked and properties read only was STILL selected...does anyone have any ideas why???

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 8/22/2007 9:00 AM

Rob,
Read my second comment on this page. It could be that nothing is read-only anymore, but the UI doesn't make this clear for folders.

It is also possible that it is a permissions issue. CROA can't change it if you don't have rights.

# re: CROA
Ian Findlay writes on 11/19/2007 3:26 AM

LOve your program, my God it's helped me many times
keep up the good work. I get ery confused with file asscoiations.
Ian

# re: CROA
sbg911 writes on 12/6/2007 3:54 PM

Croa is fantastic - been using it a long time and its one of the first utils I reload on every refresh of my latest PC.
So damn fast - MS needs to hire you immediately to teach their programmers how to write efficient apps! :)
cheers

# re: CROA
steve writes on 2/27/2008 5:46 PM

Didn't work. I still see the attributes on the folder as read only.

# re: CROA
James writes on 5/31/2008 10:22 AM

How do you remove this program, I dont see an Uninstall file and it comes on every time I try yo open a file. The only way for me to open folders now is for me to right ckick and explore.

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 5/31/2008 1:18 PM

James,
The uninstall for CROA is in the Add/Remove programs control panel applet.

# re: CROA
john burke writes on 6/29/2008 2:31 AM

Asmuch as I love this softwarebut I have an awul time in getting it installed. obviously I am the only one that seems to have trouble with it.hoopefuly the post just above this will give me some insight thans for your patience....Jburke (old dude)

# re: CROA
john old dude writes on 6/30/2008 8:06 PM

How to install... I' m sorry to be so dense. How to install?

# re: CROA
OLD DUDE john writes on 6/30/2008 8:25 PM

AGAIN....... I was hoping there would be an install button. trying down load install any one care to advise me.? Iwon't install new harddrive with out croa... Please..come on people, an idea or whatever. I won't go on without. Can't remember how I installed before
old dude john........

# re: CROA
old dude writes on 7/2/2008 9:34 PM

well, looks like I'll have to do without croa..... I get a comment when I click on the file"CROA.EXE NOT A VALID APP"

# re: CROA
David Crowell writes on 7/2/2008 11:15 PM

John,

I can't troubleshoot the issue from here, but I'm guessing your download is corrupt. Try re-downloading it, if that doesn't fix it, seek help from a friend. There may be other problems with your computer.

# re: CROA
john burke writes on 7/4/2008 11:14 PM

Okey David..Sorry.. If you would be willing to sell a cd with an install on it, I can see paying for it......

# re: CROA
john burke writes on 7/4/2008 11:22 PM

As far as faulty downloads that includes one download a day and the few times it did install....count the times I've posted..every night since I first started

# re: CROA
john burke writes on 7/5/2008 2:16 PM

bye

# re: CROA
john burke writes on 7/5/2008 5:41 PM

Good news.....After reading your post of 5\13/2009 about the check boxes of proertiesand found that is was posible to uncheck aributes manually. So thanks for the wake up call. I am supposed to know all that, and some times don't !!!!! old dude,bye

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