Attribute is initial state only. You can any file lock manually to prevent accidental modification. Again, state of toolbutton with 'Lock' icon is pressed or not? Or menu File / Read only?
If you enabled save file state options, PSPad remembers this settings. And oposite, if file has R/O attribute, you can unlock it manually in PSpad and save it. PSpad will remove R/O attribute, save file and set R/O attribute back. -- <https://forum.pspad.com/read.php?4,76025,76033> PSPad freeware editor https://www.pspad.com