Green square.(Windows XP)

Q When I open the properties of a folder in Windows XP, the Read-only checkbox has a green square in it. If I click the checkbox, it cycles between checked, clear and the green square again. What does the green square mean?

--Doug Ames

A In the "classic" Windows XP look, the checkbox appears greyed-out although it isn't disabled. In this context it means that its value is undefined (see FIGURE 2). Folders themselves cannot be read-only, but checking this box will apply …