explorer file attribute

[seth]

does anyone know what the N file attribute is?
in explorer if i show attributes, more than 90% of the files (and some
folders) in every directory have the N attribute, in addition to A R H S E C
that may apply.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Seth

The "N" attribute is set by the Search/Indexing component in Vista.

N = Non indexed file or folder.

You cannot add/delete/change this attribute in the normal way, ie: it cannot
be changed using the attrib command.

To change this attribute, right click the folder/file and select
Properties/General Tab/Advanced Button. In the Archive and Index Attributes
section, place a check mark in the "Index this folder for faster searching"
option. Apply/OK. This will remove the "N" attribute.

To replace the N attribute, simply reverse the procedure.

 

[Bob]

What files?
When posting, please quote relevant information so
that others may learn and benefit from the issue.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Natmaster

You are replying to a thread that is over 1 year old? You can do this, but
you need to quote the message you are replying to. Most servers remove older
messages after about 90 days.

To answer your question.

The 'E' file attribute means that the file is encrypted. Be careful when you
apply this attribute or you may lose the ability to open these files.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Natmaster

You must be logged on with the user account that was active when the file or
folder was encrypted.

Right click the file or folder and select Properties/Advanced Button. Remove
the check mark from the "Encrypt contents to secure data" option.
OK/Apply/OK.

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Natmaster

The only way to access the encrypting certificates is to be logged onto the
system where the files were encrypted, with the user account that encrypted
the files. You may not be able to recover those files.

Best practices for the Encrypting File System:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223316

The following software purports to be able to recover encrypted files.

'ELCOMSOFT: Advanced EFS Data Recovery'
http://www.elcomsoft.com/aefsdr.html

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Natmaster

I don't think I have ever seen this happen? I wouldn't know how you could
remove that EFS attribute?