Cannot Change System File Attribute in Windows Explorer

 Last reviewed: July 22, 1997
Article ID: Q152851
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When using Explorer to view or change file or directory properties, the option for the system attribute is always grayed out.

To change the attributes of a file or directory, select the file in Explorer and right click the mouse. This brings up the Properties dialog. Under the General tab, there are check boxes for the file attributes. The checkbox for the system attribute is always grayed out.

WORKAROUND

To change the system attribute of a file or directory, use file manager or the attrib command line program. In file manager, click on the file, choose file, properties, then check or uncheck the System box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt greyed gray grey
Keywords : kbnetwork ntfilesys ntui
Version : 4.0
Platform : WinNT

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Last reviewed: July 22, 1997
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