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Home Interviews How can you set file attributes (like read-only, hidden) in C#? – MindStick
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ICSM Computer
ICSM Computer 07 May 2025
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In C#, you can set file attributes like read-only, hidden, or system using the File.SetAttributes method along with the FileAttributes enum from the System.IO namespace.

Example: Set a file as read-only and hidden

using System;
using System.IO;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string filePath = @"C:\example.txt";

        // Set both ReadOnly and Hidden attributes
        File.SetAttributes(filePath, FileAttributes.ReadOnly | FileAttributes.Hidden);

        Console.WriteLine("Attributes set: ReadOnly and Hidden");
    }
}

How to check or modify existing attributes

Get current attributes:

FileAttributes attributes = File.GetAttributes(filePath);
Console.WriteLine(attributes);

Add an attribute (e.g., make it Hidden in addition to existing ones):

File.SetAttributes(filePath, attributes | FileAttributes.Hidden);

Remove an attribute (e.g., remove ReadOnly):

File.SetAttributes(filePath, attributes & ~FileAttributes.ReadOnly);

Common FileAttributes flags:

  1. ReadOnly
  2. Hidden
  3. System
  4. Archive
  5. Normal (no other attributes set)
  6. Temporary

Combining Normal with other attributes will override them—use it only when you want to reset all flags.

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