how2gn07.htm

How to remove the "read only" attribute on a file

Scenario: you're trying to install an update or trying to copy a file and you get an error message that says that you can't do it because the destination (i.e. "target") file is marked as "read only."

There are two easy ways to do this.

Method #1 - through WINDOWS 95 and 98

1. Open MY COMPUTER, then find the disk drive and directory that holds the file that's marked as "read only"
2. Find the file in question, and RIGHT-click on it.
3. Select PROPERTIES.
4. In the lower portion of the properties screen you'll see an area called "attributes."
5. Un-check the read only attribute.
6. Click OKAY.
7. Note that you can also change the "hidden" and "archive" attributes, too. Unless you really know what you're doing, you shouldn't change these.

Method #2 - through DOS

1. Get to a DOS prompt. (Windows 95/98 users, click START - PROGRAMS - MSDOS prompt)
2. Change to the directory where the file in question resides. (In this example, we'll call the file "testfile.exe")
3. Type the following: ATTRIB -R TESTFILE.EXE and press ENTER. (upper/lower case isn't important). Of course, you'd replace the name of this example file with the actual name and extension of the file you need to change.

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