This tutorial will show you how to add a Read-only context menu to files and folders for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You can apply or clear the read-only attribute for files and folders in Windows 10/11.
When setting a folder as read-only, read-only is actually only applied to all files in the folder and subfolders instead. The folder itself will not be read-only.
When a file is set to be read-only, write permissions are removed. This prevents the file from being edited or modified. For example, any edits to a read-only text file will have to be saved as a new file.
You will still be able to delete a read-only file.
If you like, you can add a Read-only context menu to files and folders to make it easier to set and clear the read-only attribute for one or more selected file(s) or folder(s) without having to go through Properties.
While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the Read-only context menu, all users can use the context menu.
EXAMPLE: "Read-only" context menu
In Windows 11, it is required to click/tap on Show more options first by default, then click/tap on Read-only.
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add "Read-only" context menu for all users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Read-only_context_menu.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only]
"MUIVerb"="Read-only"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-1027"
"SubCommands"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only\shell\001menu]
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020
"MUIVerb"="Apply read-only to selected file(s)"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only\shell\001menu\command]
@="attrib +r \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only\shell\002menu]
"MUIVerb"="Clear read-only for selected file(s)"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only\shell\002menu\command]
@="attrib -r \"%1\""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only]
"MUIVerb"="Read-only"
"Icon"="imageres.dll,-1027"
"SubCommands"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only\shell\001menu]
"CommandFlags"=dword:00000020
"MUIVerb"="Apply read-only to selected folder(s), subfolders and files"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only\shell\001menu\command]
@="cmd /c attrib +r \"%1\" & attrib +r \"%1\\*.*\" /s /d"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only\shell\002menu]
"MUIVerb"="Clear read-only from selected folder(s), subfolders and files"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only\shell\002menu\command]
@="cmd /c attrib -r \"%1\" & attrib -r \"%1\\*.*\" /s /d"3 Remove "Read-only" context menu for all users
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Read-0nly_context_menu.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\Read-only]
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\Read-only]4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
