Windows XP doesn't actually recursively change attributes

This should probably go into the question about Windows Annoyances, but can anyone explain why this happens, and how to fix it?

I right-click on a folder, select properties, and uncheck the Read-only. Click on OK. I get a confirmation with the option to apply changes to this folder only, or include subfolders and files. I select the latter, and click OK.

Go back to properties, and it's still showing up as Read only. Why? I can't see any files that are still read-only

This issue is described in KB326549: You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, or in Windows Vista

The solution given there is to simply use the command-line attrib command to remove the attributes, like so:

attrib -r -s "c:\somepath\my readonly folder"

Type Win+R cmd ENTER to get a shell. In the shell, type the following:

> cd "C:\Path\To\Read-Only\Folder"
> attrib -R /S /D

The /S and /D are needed to recurse into and remove read-only attribute from subfolders.