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Windows File and Folder Attributes

An enumeration of the different flags and properties files can take in Windows-based systems.

Attribute Description
Hidden Hides the file from the File Explorer and from showing up in results from the dir command.
System Identifies this file as a protected file used by the OS.
Readonly File can be opened but not altered or modified.
Archive Indicates that backup programs should include this file when performing backups.
Encryption (ex) This file will automatically be encrypted by Windows.
Compress (ex) This file will automatically be compressed to save disk space by Windows.
Index Opposite of hidden, in that it ensures that this file will show up as a result in system search function.

The (ex) flag indicates that this property cannot be shared with any other properties with the (ex) flag. For example, a file cannot possess both the encryption and compression flags.

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