How to Delete Read Only Files
Method 1 of 4:
Use the Properties Menu to Eliminate the Read Only Attribute
-
Right-click the file in Windows Explorer. -
Choose "Properties" from the drop-down menu. -
Uncheck the box next to the "Read Only" option in the "Properties" menu.- If the box is checked and grayed out, either the file is in use or you don't have permission to change it.
- Quit any programs that are using the file. If needed, login as an administrator to gain permission to alter the file.
-
Delete the file.
Method 2 of 4:
Use the Attrib Command to Turn Off the Read Only Attribute
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Click Start and select Run. If you don't see the Run command, then click All Programs > Accessories > Run. -
Remove the Read Only attribute and set the System attribute. Type the following command:- attrib -r +s drive:
- For the test folder, for example, type attrib -r +s c:test
-
Delete the file.
Method 3 of 4:
Delete Read Only Files in Mac OS X Using Finder
-
Open Finder. Find the file that you want to delete and click to highlight it. -
Click File at the top of the Finder menu, then select Get Info. -
Select the "Privilege" option in the Sharing & Permissions section. -
Click on the box next to "Owner." -
Set the file to Read & Write status. -
Delete the file
Method 4 of 4:
Delete Read Only Files in Mac OS X Using Terminal
-
Select Applications > Utilities > Terminal. -
Type cd . For example, if you want to adjust permissions for a file in your documents folder, then type cd Documents. -
Input the command ls -l to view the directory contents in long form. Permissions are displayed on the far left column. -
Type chmod u+rwx "filename" to grant read, write and execute permissions. Close Terminal. -
Find and delete the file.
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