Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Information

By default in Vista, folders do not have a read-only attribute. Only files have a read-only attribute. Any changes to the folder's read-only box will only affect the files inside the folder, then the read-only box will default back to blue when you check it again.

NOTE

Read-only files cannot be modified. They can only be copied, moved, renamed, or deleted. If this is any folder (Ex: C:\Program Files) or file that is not in the C:\Users\(user name) or C:\Users\Public folders, then you will need to take ownership of it first before you do the steps below. For how, see: How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista

WARNING

If you copy a read-only file, the copy will not be read-only. It is possible that changing a read-only file can cause a program that relies on the file to stop working properly, so be sure that it's okay to change a read-only file before you proceed.

Tip

If you still cannot view or change the read-only or system attribute of folders after this tutorial, then see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB326549

• How to Open and Change Folder Options in Vista
• How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista
• How to Show and Change a File Name Extension in Vista
• How to Disable or Enable Simple File Sharing in Vista
• How to See the Folder Size in Vista
• How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista
• Cannot Rename or Move a File or Folder in Vista Fix

OPTION ONE:
Through a Folder Properties

1. Right click on the folder and click Properties.
NOTE: The read-only box will always default back to being filled in with blue. A undetermined state of not being read-only.

2. Click the General tab. (See screenshot below)

Folder_Properties1.jpg

3. To Set Read-only -

A) Check the Read-only box and click OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will only set the read-only attribute for all of the files in this folder and it's subfolders. It does not affect the folder itself. See: Microsoft Help and Support: KB326549

Folder_Properties2.jpg

B) Click OK to confirm changes. (See screenshot below)

Confirm_Set_Changes.jpg

4. To Unset Read-only -

A) Click on the Read-only box until it is blank without the blue square. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This will unset the read-only attribute for all of the files in this folder and it's subfolders. It does not affect the folder itself.

B) Click OK.

Unset_Folder_Properties.jpg

C) Click OK to confirm changes. (See screenshot below)

Confirm_Unset_Changes.jpg

OPTION TWO:
Through a File Properties

1. Right click on the file and click Properties.
2. Click the General tab. (See screenshots below)

3. To Set Read-only -

A) Check the Read-only box. (See right screenshot below)
B) Go to step 5.

4. To Unset Read-only -

A) Uncheck the Read-only box. (See left screenshot below)
NOTE: To unset read-only for all files in a folder, see step 4 in the above section.

File_Properties1.jpgFile_Properties2.jpg

5. Click OK to apply.

1. Open the Start Menu.

A) Click on All Programs, Accessories, and then Command Prompt.
B) Go to step 3.

OR

2. Open the Start menu.

A) In the white line (Start Search) area, type cmd.exe and press Enter.

3. To Set a File as Read-only -

A) In the command prompt, type attrib +r [Full File Path] and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, attrib +r C:\Users\Moderator\Desktop\Test.txt

B) Go to step 5.

+R_File.jpg

4. To Unset a File as Read-only -

A) In the command prompt, type attrib -r [Full File Path] and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, attrib -r C:\Users\Moderator\Desktop\Test.txt

-R_File.jpg

5. Close command prompt.
6. You can verify the Read-only status of the file using METHOD ONE above.