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File attribute of "O" and unusual file icon overlay.

Anonymous
2009-10-12T19:54:37+00:00

In Windows XP and Server 2000 (at least), I see some files in the Windows explorer that have a file attribute of "O" (letter O, not zero), and the file icon is over-layed with a tiny symbol in the lower left corner that looks slightly like a clock face with hands but no numbers (but it is so small that it is difficult to tell exactly what it is). It is definitely not the usual arrow used to indicate a shortcut, however. In addition, the Owner column in Explorer for those files is empty, when all of the other files shown do have an owner listed.

When I right click on the file and look at properties, none of the files with the "O" attribute contain the "Summary" tab.

I can find no reference at all to that attribute. Does anyone know what it means? How do I remove it? Does it have any affect on ordinary file reads and writes?

Many thanks -- Roger

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-10-13T19:56:21+00:00

    Hello NeutrinoCapture

    The Attribute “O” stands for Offline. These would be attached to copies of files that are stored locally, but originate from a networked source. Also the reason for the owner not being listed is because this file is owned by another computer. The attribute is non-removable.

    Depending on the rights extended to you will determine if you can read and/or write. As a workaround, you could save a file locally on your machine if you wished to edit/take ownership.

    Hope that helps.

    Steven

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-02-18T12:41:26+00:00

    Check out: SS64.com:

    http://ss64.com/nt/attrib.html

    You might use powershell to trawl the lot, for inspiration, se.

    http://www.pavleck.net/powershell-cookbook/ch20.html

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-21T19:15:23+00:00

    Steven, hey, is there a way we can detect whether the O attribute is set programmatically? An extended attrib command?

    Thank you!

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-08-15T16:31:06+00:00

    We have a corporate network drive that has many files with this same icon and "O" attribute.  When I try to copy whole folders containing the files from that network drive onto my laptop hard drive for use later, the Windows copy function stops on those files and returns the error message, "The remote storage service was unable to recall the file."

    I have tried several file backup programs, but they all quit in the middle of the copy operation when they encounter one of these inaccessible offline files.  I suspect that our network stores those older files on some remote server, but the files can be opened (and copied) individually from the network drive, just not copied  in bulk. 

    Is there any way to work around that?  I'm using WIndows XP Pro in a networked environment.  Thanks for any help.

    Svenfran

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-10-13T20:40:09+00:00

    Hello NeutrinoCapture, welcome.

    1. Where are these files located on your drive?
    2. What is the file size of these files?
    3. Do you have an antivirus or piece of security software installed on your machine? Have you tried scanning these files by chance out of curiosity?

    Let us know,

    Thanks!

    Ryan Thieman

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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