Attributes

Besides a name, each disk file and folder have eight attributes. These attributes are often displayed as a short text string. If file or folder has a particular attribute, that attribute's one-letter abbreviation appears in the text. If not, that attribute's location in the text is replaced by a dash ("-").  

For example, a file's attribute's might be represented by this text: RH-A-E-X

This indicates the file is Read-Only, Hidden, Archivable, Encrypted and Executable. However, it is not a System file, nor is it Temporary or Compressed, because those attribute's letters are missing from the attribute text.

Here's a complete list of attributes, their one-letter abbreviations, and a short description of what they mean:

• R - Read-Only: The file or folder can be read, but not changed or written.
• H - Hidden: The name of the file or folder is not normally displayed.
• S - System: The folder or file "belongs" to Windows and shouldn't be changed by users.
• A - Archivable: The file has been changed since your last backup.
• C - Compressed: Windows has compressed the file or folder, to save disk space.
• E - Encrypted: The file or folder is encrypted, and cannot be accessed with a password.
• T - Temporary: The file or folder was created temporarily, and should be deleted automatically when no longer needed.
• X - Executable: The file contains a program, macro or script. It can "execute", or issue instructions to your computer's CPU.