# Automatically Remove and Re-Add Read-Only Attribute

**URL:** https://community.mp3tag.de/t/automatically-remove-and-re-add-read-only-attribute/69431
**Category:** General Discussion
**Tags:** feature
**Created:** [August 15, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/automatically-remove-and-re-add-read-only-attribute/69431 "2025-08-15T17:50:17Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![brian\_mp3tag](https://community.mp3tag.de/user_avatar/community.mp3tag.de/brian_mp3tag/32/13638_2.png) [@brian\_mp3tag](https://community.mp3tag.de/u/brian_mp3tag)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/automatically-remove-and-re-add-read-only-attribute/69431/1 "2025-08-15T17:50:17Z")

</div>

After poking around the forum, I found a work-around for what I am trying to do on [Is there a way to write protect the music files in MP3Tag - #5 by poster](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-there-a-way-to-write-protect-the-music-files-in-mp3tag/65476/5) . Creating the “Mark Read-Only” tool that uses Windows’ attrib command allows me, if I remember, to easily re-set the read-only attribute of files.

In researching this issue, I saw a few topics that have all asked for nearly the same feature, to provide an option in Mp3tag that will allow Mp3tag to remove the read-only attribute before making changes, then automatically re-set the attribute after Mp3tag finishes writing the changes. This includes:

- [Is there a way to write protect the music files in MP3Tag](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/is-there-a-way-to-write-protect-the-music-files-in-mp3tag/65476)
- [Have Mp3tag set file to read-only after saving changes?](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/have-mp3tag-set-file-to-read-only-after-saving-changes/10037)
- [[Feature Request] Set read-only on exiting](https://community.mp3tag.de/t/feature-request-set-read-only-on-exiting/14192)

The answer to these topics has basically been “no”. I am wondering if there is a technical issue that prevents Mp3tag from doing this, or if it is a design issue?

While the work-around is a huge help, I would still love for Mp3tag to have this feature. So, forgive me for making the case for this option one more time …

In order to prevent iTunes (yes, I know) from fiddling with my tags and album art I set the Read-Only attribute on my audio files (and their containing directory).

When making changes to tags in these read-only audio files, Mp3tag nicely asks if it is okay to remove the read-only attribute so it can write my changes to the file.

In my case, I will always reply yes to remove the read-only attribute and allow Mp3tag to write the tags. The problem is that once done, I must remember to (manually) go back and re-set the read-only attribute on all of the changed files.

Ideally, an option could be added to Mp3tag to (silently; with no prompt) remove the read-only attribute, write the changes, and then automatically re-add the read-only attribute.

Again, I ask for forgiveness in requesting this option one more time, but, it really would be a help.

Thank you for your consideration,  
Brian