read only files

[Cecil Hill]

What is a read only file? Can they be changed?

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Cecil Hill wrote:
> What is a read only file? Can they be changed?
A read only file is exactly that. It can be read but it cannot be changed
or modified. Note: In Windows XP, folders are marked read only by default
and generally cannot be changed. Check the following Knowledge Base Article
for more information about this:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326549
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

[R. C. White]

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
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Cecil Hill" > wrote in message
...
> What is a read only file? Can they be changed?

[Ken Blake]

In ,
Cecil Hill > typed:

> What is a read only file? Can they be changed?


A read-only file is one with the "R" attribute bit set on. That =
attribute bit prevents the file from being deleted or modified.=20

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.

--=20
Ken Blake
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