mohamed Hassan / Pixabay

What Are the Different File Attributes?

Why Are File Attributes Used?

and why interacting with them is so different than interacting with other data.

check list

mohamed Hassan / Pixabay

A small selection of attributes can be turned on manually.

In Windows, a larger selection of attributes can also be set with theattrib command, available fromCommand Prompt.

Having attribute control via acommandallows third-party programs, likebackup software, to easily edit file attributes.

Screenshot of editing disabled on a file due to the read-only attribute

Read-only Attribute Message.

FAQ

Thehidden fileattribute hides files and folders from the directory.

To apply this attribute, right-click a file and selectProperties>Hidden.

Thearchive fileattribute marks files as modifiedor created.

Screenshot of a folder’s attributes in Windows 8

Folder Attributes.

Usually, programs turn this attribute on automatically.

you’ve got the option to also use theattrib +asyntax in thecommand line.

Attributes for Files and Folder in Windows 11

Attributes for Files and Folder (Windows).

attrib command help in Windows 11 command prompt

Attrib Command (Windows 11).

immutable bit being set on a JPEG file in Ubuntu

Setting the +i (Immutable) Bit via chattr in Ubuntu.