File setReadOnly() method in Java with examples

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025
The setReadOnly() method is a part of File class. The setReadOnly() function marks the specified file or directory such that only read operations are allowed on the file or directory. Function Signature: 
public boolean setReadOnly()
Syntax: 
file.setReadOnly()
Parameters: The function do not requires any parameters. Return Value: The function returns boolean data type. The function returns true if the File object could be set as Read Only else false. Exception: This method throws SecurityException if the method does not allow write access to the file Below programs will illustrate the use of setReadOnly() function: Example 1: Set existing file "F:\program.txt" to read only Java 
// Java program to demonstrate
// the use of File.setReadOnly() method

import java.io.*;

public class GFG {

    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        // create an abstract pathname (File object)
        File f = new File("F:\\program.txt");

        // check if the file object
        // can be set as Read Only or not
        if (f.setReadOnly()) {

            // display that the file object
            // is set as Read Only or not
            System.out.println("File set as Read Only");
        }
        else {

            // display that the file object
            // cannot be set as Read Only or not
            System.out.println("File cannot be set"
                               + " as Read Only");
        }
    }
}
Output: 
File set as Read Only
Example 2: Set non existing file "F:\program1.txt" to read only Java 
// Java program to demonstrate
// the use of File.setReadOnly() method

import java.io.*;

public class GFG {

    public static void main(String args[])
    {
        // create an abstract pathname (File object)
        File f = new File("F:\\program1.txt");

        // check if the file object
        // can be set as Read Only or not
        if (f.setReadOnly()) {

            // display that the file object
            // is set as Read Only or not
            System.out.println("File set as Read Only");
        }
        else {

            // display that the file object
            // cannot be set as Read Only or not
            System.out.println("File cannot be set"
                               + " as Read Only");
        }
    }
}
Output: 
File cannot be set as Read Only
The programs might not run in an online IDE. please use an offline IDE and set the path of the file
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