Windows file attributes are metadata flags such as Read-only, Hidden, System, and Archive. They are separate from NTFS permissions, encryption, compression, file extensions, and timestamps.
You can change common attributes from File Explorer, or use the attrib command to process several files, include subfolders, or change flags that File Explorer does not expose directly.
What Windows file attributes do
A file can have more than one attribute at the same time. For example, a file may be both hidden and read-only. The attribute does not determine who is allowed to access the file; that is controlled primarily by NTFS permissions and other security features.
| Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Read-only | Normally prevents applications from writing to or deleting a file. It is not an NTFS permission and is not honored on directories. |
| Hidden | Excludes a file or folder from ordinary File Explorer listings. |
| System | Marks an item as used by the operating system. System files may remain hidden even when ordinary hidden items are shown. |
| Archive | Marks an item as changed since the last backup. Tools such as xcopy can use this flag. |
| Not content indexed | Prevents the Windows content-indexing service from indexing the item. |
| Offline | Indicates that file data is not immediately available locally, commonly in remote or hierarchical storage systems. |
| Pinned / Unpinned | Used by supported storage systems to indicate whether data should remain locally available. |
Compressed and Encrypted are also Windows file attributes, but they are managed through separate File Explorer or command-line operations rather than the ordinary attrib switches covered below.
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Change Read-only or Hidden in File Explorer
Windows 11
- Open File Explorer and locate the file or folder.
- Right-click it.
- Select Show more options if Properties is not shown in the streamlined menu.
- Select Properties.
- On the General tab, find Attributes.
- Select or clear Read-only or Hidden.
- Select Apply, then OK.
When changing a folder, Windows may ask whether the operation applies only to that folder or to this folder, subfolders and files. Choose the recursive option only when that is what you intend.
Windows 10
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click the item and select Properties.
- On the General tab, change Read-only or Hidden under Attributes.
- Select Apply, then OK.
- If the item is a folder, choose whether the change applies to the folder alone or to its contents.
These Properties settings are different from the controls that merely decide whether File Explorer displays hidden items.
Show hidden files and folders
Windows 11
In File Explorer, select View > Show > Hidden items.
Windows 10
- Open File Explorer and select View > Options > Change folder and search options.
- Open the View tab.
- Under Advanced settings, select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
- Select OK.
A file with both Hidden and System attributes can remain concealed. To expose protected operating-system files, open the same Folder Options dialog, clear Hide protected operating system files (Recommended), and confirm the warning. Do this only when necessary: it makes important files easier to alter or delete accidentally.
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Use Command Prompt and attrib
attrib is Windows’ standard command for displaying, setting, and clearing file attributes. A normal Command Prompt is usually enough for files you own. For protected locations, open Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) from Start. Elevation does not automatically bypass NTFS permissions, ownership, file locks, or security software.
Display the current attributes
attrib "C:\Path\file.txt"
With no attribute switches, the command reports the attributes of matching files. Replace the example path with the complete path to your item.
Set an attribute
attrib +r "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib +h "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib +s "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib +a "C:\Path\file.txt"
| Switch | Sets |
|---|---|
+r |
Read-only |
+h |
Hidden |
+s |
System |
+a |
Archive |
+i |
Not content indexed |
+o |
Offline |
+p |
Pinned |
+u |
Unpinned |
The command also documents switches for Scrub (+x) and SMR Blob (+b), which are intended for supported storage scenarios rather than routine desktop file management.
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Clear an attribute
Use a minus sign instead of a plus sign:
attrib -r "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib -h "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib -s "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib -a "C:\Path\file.txt"
attrib -i "C:\Path\file.txt"
To make a hidden system file visible, clear both relevant flags:
attrib -h -s "C:\Path\file.ext"
Microsoft documents that System and Hidden must be cleared before other attributes can be changed on an item. If a combined command fails, use this two-step sequence:
attrib -h -s "C:\Path\file.ext"
attrib +r "C:\Path\file.ext"
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Change attributes recursively
Use /s to process matching files in the current directory and its subdirectories:
attrib -r "C:\Reports\*.docx" /s
/s processes files, not the directories themselves. Add /d when directory attributes must also be changed:
attrib -h -s "C:\Data\*" /s /d
Be careful with broad wildcards. This command changes matching items throughout the entire C:\Data tree, including files you may not have intended to modify.
For symbolic links, attrib normally operates on the link target. Add /l to change the attributes of the symbolic link itself:
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Change attributes with PowerShell
PowerShell is useful when an operation is part of a script or when you need to preserve other flags while changing one attribute.
Read the current values
Get-Item "C:\Path\file.txt" | Format-List Name,Attributes,IsReadOnly
Set or clear Read-only
Set-ItemProperty -Path "C:\Path\file.txt" -Name IsReadOnly -Value $true
Set-ItemProperty -Path "C:\Path\file.txt" -Name IsReadOnly -Value $false
Set a combination of flags
$file = Get-Item "C:\Path\file.txt"
$file.Attributes = [System.IO.FileAttributes]::Hidden
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$file.Attributes = [System.IO.FileAttributes]::Hidden -bor [System.IO.FileAttributes]::ReadOnly
To remove only Hidden while preserving the other flags:
$file.Attributes = $file.Attributes -band (-bnot [System.IO.FileAttributes]::Hidden)
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When changing an attribute does not solve the problem
“Access is denied”
This can mean that your account lacks permission, another identity owns the file, the path is protected, or another process or security product is holding the item. Running as administrator may help with elevation, but it does not override every restriction.
Clearing Read-only does not make the file editable
NTFS DACL permissions, ownership, inherited restrictions, application locks, Controlled Folder Access, cloud-storage state, and file-system errors can all prevent writing after Read-only has been cleared.
Inspect NTFS permissions separately with:
icacls "C:\Path\file.txt"
icacls is an ACL command, not an attribute command. It replaces the deprecated cacls utility and should not be used when the only problem is a Hidden or Read-only flag.
A folder’s Read-only box behaves unexpectedly
The Read-only attribute is not honored on directories. Checking it on a folder does not reliably make every file inside read-only. Target the files directly, or use an appropriate recursive attrib command.
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Paths with spaces fail
Put the complete path in double quotes:
attrib -r "C:\Users\Example User\Documents\file.txt"
Very long paths fail
Some traditional applications still impose the 260-character MAX_PATH limit. Newer Windows versions can support extended paths when the application is long-path aware and the relevant system policy is enabled, but enabling the registry setting alone does not make every program support long paths. Shorten the path or use a tool that explicitly supports long paths when possible.
Attribute changes versus permissions, encryption, and compression
| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Hide an item in ordinary Explorer views | Hidden attribute or File Explorer’s visibility settings |
| Stop normal applications writing to a file | Read-only attribute, where the application honors it |
| Control which users can read or modify an item | NTFS permissions and ownership |
| Protect file contents from unauthorized reading | Encryption, such as EFS or BitLocker where appropriate |
| Reduce storage space | NTFS compression or another compression tool |
Changing an attribute is therefore not a substitute for securing confidential data or repairing an NTFS permission problem.
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The procedures above follow Microsoft’s documentation for attrib, file attribute constants, File Explorer, and icacls.
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Windows 11 uses a streamlined right-click menu, so older commands may be under Show more options. In Windows 11 version 22H2, the former Quick access landing page was renamed File Explorer Home. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, although attrib remains documented for Windows 10 and Windows 11.
FAQ
How do I remove Read-only from a file in Windows?
Right-click the file, select Properties, clear Read-only on the General tab, and select Apply. From Command Prompt, use attrib -r "C:\Path\file.txt".
Why is a hidden file still not visible?
It may also have the System attribute, or File Explorer may still be hiding protected operating-system files. Run attrib -h -s "C:\Path\file.ext", then enable Hidden items. Only disable the protected-file setting when necessary.
Does Read-only on a folder make all files inside it read-only?
No. Windows does not honor the Read-only attribute on directories in the same way as on files. Apply the attribute to the files directly, using attrib -r "C:\Folder\*" /s or another carefully targeted command.
Does Read-only prevent someone from deleting a file?
It is not a security boundary. Applications normally cannot write to or delete a read-only file, but NTFS permissions, ownership, administrator tools, and application behavior determine actual access.
What is the difference between attrib and icacls?
attrib changes file metadata flags such as Hidden and Read-only. icacls displays or changes NTFS access-control permissions. They solve different problems.
The Bottom Line
Use File Explorer Properties for a single file’s Read-only or Hidden setting. Use attrib for exact commands, multiple flags, wildcards, and recursive operations; use PowerShell when you need scripting or bit-level control. If the operation still fails, investigate NTFS permissions, ownership, locks, security software, or cloud-storage status rather than repeatedly changing the attribute.
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