Attrib Command

The attrib command displays, sets, or removes attributes assigned to files or directories. These attributes control how the operating system interacts with files—making them read-only to prevent editing, hiding them from view, or marking them as system files.

Try the command

Try changing file attributes!

Build the command

attrib

+r / -rSets (+) or removes (-) Read-only attribute.

+h / -hSets (+) or removes (-) Hidden attribute.

+s / -sSets (+) or removes (-) System attribute.

/dProcesses folders as well (requires /s).

Terminal

C:\Users\User>attrib +r secret.txt /s

Common Attributes

Read-only (R): Prevents the file from being modified or deleted.
Hidden (H): Hides the file from standard directory listings (though dir /a will still show it).
System (S): Marks the file as a critical system file.

Real-World Examples

1. Making a file Read-only

Protect an important document from accidental changes.

Command Prompt

C:\Users\User>attrib +r crucial_data.txt

Check the attribute:

Command Prompt

C:\Users\User>attrib crucial_data.txt

2. Hiding a private folder

Hide a folder from casual view.

Command Prompt

C:\Users\User>attrib +h SecretFolder

3. Removing all attributes from all files in a folder

Useful when recovering files from a backup that might have weird permissions set.

Command Prompt

C:\Users\User>attrib -r -h -s *.* /s

Knowledge Check

1 / 3

Which flag makes a file Read-Only?

+o

+r

/r

-w

Attrib Command

Common Attributes

Real-World Examples

Knowledge Check

References

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