Page 1
Windows Explorer allows you to edit some extra items of information associated with a file. These extra items are called File Attributes.
Page 2
Right-click on a file in Windows Explorer to show a popup menu.
|
Page 3
Clicking on Properties displays the Properties dialog for the selected file.
|
Page 4
General information about the file is displayed in (1) and (2 ).
|
Page 5
Checking the Read-only attribute will prevent anyone from changing the file. They will be able to read the file, but not save any changes.
|
Page 6
Checking Hidden will cause the file to not be displayed in Windows Explorer or other programs.
(You can show hidden files by Tools > Folder Options > View > Show hidden files and folders).
|
Page 7
The remaining attributes explained in the tutorial will only appear in the dialog box for your machine if you have the NTFS file system installed. The NTFS filesystem (what it is and how to install it) is explained in a subsequent tutorial in this series: Managing your Hard Disk.
Page 8
You can add extra information about a file by clicking on the Summary tab.
Select any item shown in order to add the specified information.
|
Page 9
Returning to the General tab, the Advanced button has more options.
|
Page 10
Clicking on Advanced shows the Advanced Attributes dialog .
|
Page 11
Two useful attributes are in the lower box (you can select one or the other but not both).
Compress : the selected file will be compressed (stored in a special way so that it takes up less space, but may take slightly longer to open and to save).
Encrypt contents to secure data : the selected file will be encrypted. Only you (or someone logged on with your password) will be able to read the contents of the file.
|
Page 12
All of the attributes shown can be applied to folders or multiple files at once by selecting either folders or multiple files.