Folders in Microsft OS's (I am sure, even with XP?) are all read only by design default. I consider it a bug, But references to it over some years, on Microsft's forums, have never received a descent answer. There is no way, to my knowledge, you can cjange that attribute.
But it automatically refers, before the evnt, to anything which may be placed i the folder.
This does not anwer your question. Which programs have shields on them? There is probably a quite different explanation for this. And which program are you trying to install with refused permission?
It sounds like some customisation program you used has corrupted the OS.