How to Set and Unset Read-only Attribute of a File or Folder in Windows
Information
This tutorial will show you how to set or unset files or all files in folders to be read-only or not in Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
In Windows, folders cannot be set as read-only. Only the files in the folders can be.
If You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
In Windows, folders cannot be set as read-only. Only the files in the folders can be.
If You cannot view or change the Read-only or the System attributes of folders in Windows Server 2003, in Windows XP, in Windows Vista or in Windows 7
Note
Read-only box = (Windows 8) Default neutral setting for a folder that is always displayed.
Read-only box = (Vista and Windows 7) Default neutral setting that is always displayed. File is not read-only. For a folder, it means all files in the folder not to be set as read-only.
Read-only box = File is read-only. For a folder, it means all files in the folder are set to be read-only when applied. Only displays temporarily while setting it.
Read-only box = File is not read-only, or to set file as not read-only when applied. For a folder, it means all files in the folder are set to be not read-only when applied. Only displays temporarily while setting it.
METHOD ONE
Through the File or Folder Properties Page
OPTION ONE
For a File
NOTE: This option is if you want to select one file to set or unset as read-only.
1. Select one or more files, right click on the file(s), and click/tap on Properties.
2. To Set the File as Read-only
A) In the General tab, click on the Read-only box until checked, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
3. To Set the File as Not Read-only
A) In the General tab, click on the Read-only box until unchecked, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
OPTION TWO
For a Folder
NOTE: This option is if you want to have all files in a folder set or unset as read-only.
1. Select one or more folders, then right click on the folder(s), and click/tap on Properties.
2. Click/tap on the General tab. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: When the Read-only box is blue, this is the default undetermined state. It does not mean read-only or not read-only.
3. To Set All Files in a Folder as Read-only
A) Click on the Read-only box until checked, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Select the option you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only be able to select the top option if you selected more than one folder.
4. To Set All Files in a Folder as Not Read-only
A) Click on the Read-only box until it's empty, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Select the option you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You will only be able to select the top option if you selected more than one folder.
OPTION THREE
For Multiple Files and Folders
NOTE: This option is if you want to select multiple files and folders at once to have the files and all files in the folders set or unset as read-only.
1. Select one or more files and/or folders, right click on the file(s), and click/tap on Properties.
2. To Set as Read-only
A) In the General tab, click on the Read-only box until checked, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Select the option you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
3. To Set as Not Read-only
A) In the General tab, click on the Read-only box until unchecked, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
B) Select the option you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)
METHOD TWO
Through a Command Prompt with the ATTRIB Command
NOTE: While you can do this with a non-elevated command prompt or a elevated command prompt, you may get better results using a elevated command prompt if you are logged in as an administrator.
OPTION ONE
For a File
NOTE: This options is if you want to set or unset a file as read-only.
1. Open a non-elevated command prompt or a elevated command prompt.
2. To Set a File as Read-only
A) In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute "Full path of file with file extension" for the actual full path of the file.
Code:
attrib +r "[B][COLOR=red]Full path of file with file extension[/COLOR][/B]"
Code:
attrib +r "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder\File.txt"
3. To Set a File as Not Read-only
A) In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute "Full path of file with file extension" for the actual full path of the file.
Code:
attrib -r "[B][COLOR=red]Full path of file with file extension[/COLOR][/B]"
Code:
attrib -r "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder\File.txt"
OPTION TWO
For a Folder
NOTE: This option is if you want to set or unset all files in a folder and it's subfolders as read-only.
1. Open a non-elevated command prompt or an elevated command prompt.
2. To Set All Files in a Folder and subfolders as Read-only
A) In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute Full path of folder for the actual full path of the folder.
Code:
attrib +r "[B][COLOR=red]Full path of folder[/COLOR][/B]\*.*" /S /D
Code:
attrib +r "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder\*.*" /S /D
3. To Set All Files in Folder and subfolders as Not Read-only
A) In the command prompt, type the command below, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Substitute Full path of folder for the actual full path of the folder.
Code:
attrib -r "[B][COLOR=red]Full path of folder[/COLOR][/B]\*.*" /S /D
Code:
attrib -r "C:\Users\UserName\Desktop\Folder\*.*" /S /D
That's it,
Shawn
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