Joseph, read only means you can't write to the file or modify it, it's read only.. hidden means you can't see it like in windows explorer, unless you have windows set to view hidden files, when windows is installed some files are made hidden so ppl that mess around in their files won't go deleting these files by accident that are needed to help windows and the computer run right, archive controls whether the file will be backedup (archived) or not, and system means it's a system file. as for what should be checked usually it sets it's own attribs, but you can mark or add to it if you find reason to and you can have more then one checked, you can have like a hidden file read only.... Lynn Batson ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Rydzy" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: [PCSOFT] Attributes > When you look at properties of any program, then look at attributes, I would like to know the difference between the 4 boxes: read only, Archive, Hidden and system. Also should one of these boxes be checked at all times and can 2 or more be checked? Thanks to all for any information! > Joseph Rydzy PCSOFT's List Owner's: Bob Wright<[log in to unmask]> Drew Dunn<[log in to unmask]>