2 Simple Steps to Delete Read Only Files

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Remove the read-only attribute and delete any file quickly on PC & Mac
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In some cases, you may have difficulty deleting a file from your Windows or Mac computer because the file is classified as Read Only. By changing the file attributes, you can easily delete Read Only files in Windows or Mac OS X. This wikiHow article teaches you how to get rid of Read Only files.

Quick Steps

  1. Right-click the file and select Properties .
  2. Uncheck the "Read-only" box and click OK .
  3. Select the file and click Delete , or drag it to the Recycle Bin.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Use the Properties Menu on Windows

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":346,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":547,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [1] You can right-click the file on your desktop as well as within File Explorer.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's at the bottom of the menu.
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  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [2]
    • 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.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once you've removed the Read Only status, you can right-click it and delete it or drag it to the Recycling Bin. [3]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Delete Read Only Files in Mac OS X Using Finder

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  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/01\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Find the file that you want to delete and click to highlight it.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's near the middle of the File drop-down menu.
    • Alternatively, press Cmd + I when you have the file selected to open "Get Info" using a keyboard shortcut.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [4]
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Delete-Read-Only-Files-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Right-click the file and select Move to Trash or drag and drop it to the trash icon in the Dock. [5]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Mine is a CD, and it comes up as no such file or directory. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Format it, like nfts or so. If it shows up as no directory, try another CD, and if that doesn't work, your disc drive is broken.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I delete "read only" files from a Blackberry?
    Community Answer
    Click and hold on the files icon, and drag it to the trashcan icon.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    What should I do if the attribute box is faded?
    Julie
    Community Answer
    If the attribute box is faded, that means it has an attribute attached to it. In this case, you would use Method 2 to remove the attribute.
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      Tips

      • For Mac OS X, you can set file permissions for entire groups. "Read Only" files can be changed and deleted by other users on your network if you give them access.
        Thanks
      • If you cannot delete a Read Only file on a Windows computer, try a utility program such as MoveOnBoot, Delete FXP Files, Delinvfile, or Unlocker.
        Thanks
      • On Linux instead? This wikiHow goes over deleting read-only files in Linux.
        Thanks
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      Warnings

      • Deleting certain Read Only files may cause certain programs to malfunction. Be sure to research what the file does before deleting it.
        Thanks


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      References

      1. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
      2. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
      3. ↑ https://filext.com/faq/delete_or_rename_stubborn_file.html
      4. ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/my-mm/guide/mac-help/mchlp1203/mac

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