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Space Hound 4 - [ About File Attributes ]

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About File Attributes

The primary function of this display is to allow you to make changes to attributes of files within deeply nested folder structures. This is most commonly used to remove the Read Only attributes of all of the files within a folder structure, but you can also set or reset other file attributes as well. 

Attribute Notes: 

File attributes are primarily used by the operating system to control the visibility of a file and to identify it as part of the operating system.  Typically, operating system files are hidden from normal viewing and have the system attribute set to on.   

Another function is to restrict access by marking a file as Read Only so that it can be viewed but not changed. 

Read Only Attributes and Use of CDs for Storage of Files: 

When using a CD to backup files, one unfortunate effect is that all files are converted to a Read Only attribute. This is because a CDs itself is a Read Only storage medium. Even rewriteable CDs don't actually delete files when you manually delete them, they simply leave the original space unusable until you reformat the whole disc. When files from a CD are restored onto a hard drive, they retain the Read Only attribute.

The File Attributes tool allows you to select a folder structure on your hard drive and quickly reset attributes on all of the files regardless of how deeply nested they are.  You can also set or reset other file attributes as well.