urgent - what is the file attribute "A" and how do I prevent it

**Iphone** · 13-Apr-2007, 06:14 AM

Somehow the file attribute "A" which I find to mean archive .. is enabling itself on files.

right click file - properties - click button "adv. properties" > Archive & Index Attributes > "File is ready for archiving"

I uncheck that and hit apply.

I then watched in explorer as the A went away, then reappeared and the checkbox was re-enabled. 1/2 second..

How can I make sure all files that are presently designated "A" have this attribute value permanently removed?

Can I prevent windows from even using this attribute?

Its wouldnt matter that much but its preventing IIS from serving files on my website!!!

**Iphone** · 13-Apr-2007, 06:15 AM

The archive attribute is a system function that has existed since early DOS. Any time a file is changed the system will set the file's archive attribute. This flag can be used by bakup software to determine which files have changed since the last backup (as the backup software will clear the attribute for each file that it archives).

You can test this yourself by creating a new text file, noting that the archive attribute is set, manually clearing it, waiting, then re-saving the file, and noting that the archive attribute has re-set.

So, to paraphrase Sirbounty - any time you, or the system, changes a file, the file's archive bit will be set

13-Apr-2007, 06:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Iphone Fixed Error! Posts: 4,202 Join Date: Mar 2007 Rep Power: 6 IM:	urgent - what is the file attribute "A" and how do I prevent it Somehow the file attribute "A" which I find to mean archive .. is enabling itself on files. right click file - properties - click button "adv. properties" > Archive & Index Attributes > "File is ready for archiving" I uncheck that and hit apply. I then watched in explorer as the A went away, then reappeared and the checkbox was re-enabled. 1/2 second.. How can I make sure all files that are presently designated "A" have this attribute value permanently removed? Can I prevent windows from even using this attribute? Its wouldnt matter that much but its preventing IIS from serving files on my website!!!

13-Apr-2007, 06:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Iphone Fixed Error! Posts: 4,202 Join Date: Mar 2007 Rep Power: 6 IM:	Re: urgent - what is the file attribute "A" and how do I prevent it The archive attribute is a system function that has existed since early DOS. Any time a file is changed the system will set the file's archive attribute. This flag can be used by bakup software to determine which files have changed since the last backup (as the backup software will clear the attribute for each file that it archives). You can test this yourself by creating a new text file, noting that the archive attribute is set, manually clearing it, waiting, then re-saving the file, and noting that the archive attribute has re-set. So, to paraphrase Sirbounty - any time you, or the system, changes a file, the file's archive bit will be set

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