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Read-only File and Folder Attribute

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Read-only File and Folder Attribute
How to Set and Unset the Read-only File and Folder Attribute in Vista
Published by Brink
11-20-2007

How to Set and Unset the Read-only File and Folder Attribute in Vista

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
RELATED LINKS:
METHOD ONE:
Through Properties
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.
METHOD TWO:
Through the ATTRIB Command
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.
That's it,
Shawn
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All Vista Versions
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Old 12-16-2007  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Got a question, Shawn.

I've wondered and wondered how I can save and print a list of the songs I have in my "Music" folder. Can I do that by designating them as "Read-Only Files" and if I do so, will it adversely affect the music files themselves?

And can I then change the file extension from txt to mp3 or wav?
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Old 12-16-2007  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Hi Sooner1938,

I do not see how setting it to Read-only would affect how you can print, but you will not be able to change the music file with it set as this.

I have changed WMA to WAV with success. I'm not sure about the success with the other formats. TXT would not be a music file, and would not work wen changed to MP3 or WAV.


This will show you how to make a TXT file with a list of your Music file directory in the command prompt. You can then print the TXT in Notepad or Wordpad. See:

How to Save and Print a File and Folder Directory List in Vista

Shawn

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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Thanks for the suggestions, Shawn.

I think I'll do it the second way you suggested, since I'm still not comfortable trying anything that involves the directory.
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Your welcome Sooner1938,

Ok, that would most likely be the easiet way. I hope it gets you what you wanted.

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Old 12-19-2007  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

You can set file and folder attributes more effectively ucing Command Prompt. Type in attrib /? for more help.
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Old 12-19-2007  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Hi Ninja,

I agree. I just wanted to keep it simple for everyone.

This discusses using the attrib command for people that are interested:

PROBLEM: You Cannot View or Change the Read-Only or System Attribute of Folders
See: Microsoft Help and Support: KB326549

Thank you,
Shawn

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Old 01-06-2008  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

I have a similar problem: I run Vista home premium 32bit. All new folders I created have read-only blue box and I can't rename them or delete them. Are there any way I can set the default to 'NO BLUE BOX' on ready-only when a new folder is created? In other word, make the default new folder attribute to be r/w/delete/rename/all whatever. After all, it's the folder I created, I want to be able to do any way I want without going thru reseting the attributes. At times, I had to reset many levels of the folder above before a folder can be renamed or deleted. Oh, yes. After the Property==> unccheck the read-only==>Apply changes to folder subfolders files etc.==> Apply==> OK, I had to close the folder one level above of it and re-open to make the the attribute change to take effect. It's annoying to say the least.

Jku00v.
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Old 01-10-2008  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Hi jku00v,

The blue box in the read-only for a folder does not mean it is read-only. A folder in Vista cannot be set as read-only. It will always default back to the blue box. Checking read-only on a folder will only make every file in it read only, not the folder.

Where is the folder located? You may need to temporarily move the folder to the desktop or in a user folder to rename it.

If that does not help, then you can try taking ownership of the folder.

How to Take Ownership of a Item in Vista

Shawn

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Old 02-10-2008  
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Re: Read-only File and Folder Attribute

Updated 2-10-2008 to include METHOD TWO for the ATTRIB command option.

Shawn

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Tags
attribute, file, file & folder settings, folder, read only

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