Win 7 Picture files appear locked, but aren't

This just started this morning. I went to a picture folder and all of the files had "lock icons" in the lower left corner. I have been running Win 7 for a year and this is the first time for this. I did not (at least consciously) lock these files. However, when I go to look at them, print, edit, etc. they are obviously not locked. I am the administrator, and this is a home network. How do I get rid of this (and how did it get there in the first place? Is this a new "feature" from a recent MS update?)

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

I kind of figures it was something like that, but too many times when I don't know what is going on it comes around to bite me on the ... well, anyway, thank you for the help.