read only files

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cecil Hill
  • Start date Start date
Hi, Cecil.

As Michael said, read-only means that a file can be read, but not changed or
deleted.

However, the read-only "attribute" or "property" is not necessarily
permanent. In Explorer, right-click the filename, then select Properties.
At the bottom of the next window is the Attributes line, where you can check
or uncheck the boxes that say Read-only, Hidden or Archive.

For example, after I complete my weekly newsletter, I set the Read-only
attribute for that file so that I won't accidentally modify it or delete it
when using it as a template to draft next week's newsletter.

Some files are not just read-only, but also System files. As the name
suggests, these are files that are a part of, or are used by, the operating
system (Windows) and should not be tampered with at all unless you know
exactly what you are doing. By default, these files are hidden from the
user.

RC
 
In
Cecil Hill said:
What is a read only file? Can they be changed?
Click to expand...


A read-only file is one with the "R" attribute bit set on. That attribute bit prevents the file from being deleted or modified.

You can change or delete the file easily by clearing the attribute bit. However if you're talking about a file where Windows, not you, has set the attribute bit on, be extremely wary about deleting or changing such a file. There's a reason the bit is set on.
 
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