Locked files on USB sticks in Linux Mint 19.3 [SOLVED]

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith I forgot to ask are you working from home I don't want to take you away from your 'day job'?

[Keith]

I am working from home, and my day job is DIY and drinking tea.

Don't worry about group permissions. 

The result is very significant.
And it looks like our efforts have been unnecessary. 

I thought the files were backups of a Windows system (because of .doc & .xls) but if all the files are already on your Mint system, all you have to do is delete all the files on your USB stick (in a special way) and do another backup - but not the way you did it before! 

[19goalie50nxQ]

Good to hear I'm not interfering with your work.

Can you explain  "if all the files are already on you" Mint system, all you have to do is delete all the files on your USB stick (in a special way) and do another backup - but not the way you did it before"  especially  "USB stick (in a special way)" and "not the way you did it before"

Also will I have to get out of using Root in file manager before I attempt these moves.
 

[Keith]

Are the files on your USB stick copies of files that still reside on your Mint computer? Yes or No will do.

If the answer is Yes, then you can safely delete all the files on your USB stick because still have the originals on your PC. 
Once you have deleted all files on your USB stick you can then copy the files again from PC to USB stick. 

Does this make sense?

[19goalie50nxQ]

Yes makes sense I'll just have to make sure I don't delete files that aren't on the PC.

What about the Root do I have to reset back to the original settings?

[Keith]

I'll just have to make sure I don't delete files that aren't on the PC.

I do hope you don't mean that!  I hope you mean "I'll just have to make sure I don't delete files that are on the PC" !! Please confirm that. 
As for Root:  It matters not, but you might feel more comfortable closing the file manager and re-starting it. 

Let me know when you want to delete the USB files - just pressing "Delete" is  not enough!

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

Sorry for the confusion the PHILIP usb, this has other folders/files than the ones in the 1-Mint HOME folder., its those that I meant. I'll do it tomorrow need a break from this tonight.

I'm interested to know what you mean by :-  Let me know when you want to delete the USB files - just pressing "Delete" is  not enough!

Till tomorrow.

Goalie

[Keith]

A few questions first to help me understand.  A simple yes/no should suffice:

Q1. Are you are concerned only about the files in the folder called '2 - MINT 19.3  HOME FOLDER - Jan 18th 2021' on the USB stick?
Q2. Are those files a backup of files already on your PC?
Q3. Are all the other files on your USB stick locked as well?
Q4. You have proved that by copying a locked file from '2 - MINT 19.3  HOME FOLDER - Jan 18th 2021' to the Desktop you can open and modify the file (Read & write).  True?

Keith

[19goalie50nxQ]

Good Morning Keith.

Q1. Not sure where this folder is on the USB :-  '2 - MINT 19.3  HOME FOLDER - Jan 18th 2021'  See attachment of folders that show up when I open the PHILIPS stick.
       The folder 1 - Mint 19.3-HOME FOLDER -Dec 30th 2020 is the one shown on the attachment.
Q2. This was a backup for my PC however this out of date now but, still need to know how to unlock files if possible.
Q3. Yes and on other usb sticks that I have.
Q4. Can't answer for  2 - MINT 19.3  HOME FOLDER for 1 - Mint 19.3-HOME FOLDER Yes.

Goalie

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

For got to mention when I open the locked files on PHILIPS stick and others the 'delete' is greyed out so can't 'delete' them if I wanted to.

Goalie.

[Keith]

OK.  We'll worry about the delete bit later. 

Since moving a file changes the permissions so you can write to it, then I don't think you have a problem because you are not going to modify files on the USB stick as it's a backup medium.  True?
Is it true that you have backup these files to your USB in order to put them into Mint 20 (or some other OS) when you upgrade?

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

Attached screenshot of dialogue box that opens after 'right' click on  1 - Mint 19.3-HOME FOLDER I notice there is a 'Open in Root' command. First time I've noticed this could this be used to 'unlock' the individual files? I  haven't done anything with this curious to know what this is.

Goalie.

[Keith]

We've already tried that, Goalie - I remember it well.
By the way; I had to reduce your attachment by a factor of ten. 

Would you respond to the questions in my previous post, please - you may have missed it.

[19goalie50nxQ]

Keith.

Your reply 12:03.24 pm crossed in post with my reply 12:03.53 pm
My answer is True but other files on the stick are for my personal records.

Your reply 12:10.55 pm.
I had reduced the attachment in size obviously not enough, what is the proffered file size of attachments?

Goalie

[Keith]

JPG attachments: 100kB if you can manage it.

Q1. There were actually two questions, but I am guessing that your personal files exist only on your USB stick and that's why you want to open them there.  True?
Q2. Is there any reason why you can't move them all to your PC (where they will then become be accessible)?

Keith