Removing write protection from a flash drive. How to remove write protection from a flash drive - step-by-step instructions Kdi msft windows 10 usb device formatting

Floppy disks are a thing of the past after they were successfully replaced by flash drives. But a modern person, when trying to write something onto such a flash drive, can sometimes encounter a situation that is familiar from the days of using those same floppy disks (floppy disks). It happens that a removable disk becomes locked and cannot be used for its intended purpose, that is, for writing any files. How to solve such a problem? We will consider this issue in detail in this article.
So, you are faced with a situation: you need to write some information to a removable drive, and when you try to do this, you see a message on the screen like “ The disc is write protected, remove the protection or insert another disc To".

This problem can be eliminated quite quickly, and we will talk about this a little later, but now it’s worth saying a few words about why protection is installed against writing any information to a flash drive.

Please note that most often this operation is performed solely for one purpose - to protect the flash drive from malware(viruses), which can themselves be copied to various removable media.

Ways to remove write protection from a flash drive

There are two main options for removing protection from a removable drive: hardware and software.

Hardware method

You need to install a lock switch, which is found on some USB flash drives and also on SD cards. Often, such a switch is located on the side edge of a particular drive. Therefore, you need to carefully examine the drive that you have from all sides and look for an open and closed lock icon or the word Lock on it.

Please note that in fact, the protection is not difficult to remove - you just need to move the locking lever in the right direction. After such a simple maneuver, it often turns out that the write protection has already been removed. All that remains is to install the removable drive (flash drive) into the appropriate slot and repeat the entire process of writing files again.

Software method

This method involves software interaction between the OS and the flash drive controller, which is responsible for the ability to record any information. It is possible to remove write protection using this method using the command line, registry editor, or local group policy operating system Windows 7/8/10. Let's now look at all of the options listed in more detail.

Removing protection using regedit

Removing protection using Diskpart

If you couldn’t unlock the flash drive using the registry, you can try to do it using the command interpreter Diskpart. The latter makes it possible to manage disks and partitions using commands that the user enters directly on the command line.

Removing protection using the Local Group Policy Editor

If all the methods listed in this article did not help solve the difficulties with the inability to write to a flash drive, you can also try going to the official website of the manufacturer of your flash drive and find branded original utilities there for working with your specific drive. In addition, a situation is possible when the flash drive has already exhausted its resource (some manufacturers set a limit on the number of repeated writes, after a certain number of which the drive itself switches to a special “read-only” mode). In this case, you will have to purchase a new flash drive.

Most users have flash drives (usb sd, transcend, microsd, kingston, sandisk, cd, flash, qumo, microsd, apacer, verbatim, sdhc, psp), HDD d (hdd), dvd or any other removable or local storage device.

You probably use them with great regularity. They allow you to copy your media, photos and important documents.

Despite the high resistance to mechanical damage and the ability to store data for many years, like all other gadgets, they deteriorate.

One of the most common mistakes that can affect USB flash eks, memory cards or disks an annoying message: error “The disk is write protected.”

Those who have ever had a similar problem know exactly what I mean.

Inability to copy/add/delete any files - this can lead to frenzy.

After trying hard to repair, most end up giving up on the fixes and buying new ones.

What should I do if the system writes the disk is write protected? How to remove this notorious protection?

Here are some simple but effective solutions to restore a disk or flash drive to a working state.

Use these simple tips and simply forget about the message: “the disk is write-protected,” although there is one point here that I had to encounter more than once.

Sometimes the system displays damaged media (flash drive, disk) as write-protected. How to revive drives

It's a microprocessor issue. If it fails, even partially - you can read it - you can copy or format it - no), then only a utility from the drive manufacturer can fix it, and even then not always.

Let's start unlocking disks and flash drives

You have a USB flash drive connected to your computer and you want to copy some files.

Here a surprise awaits you: “The disk is write protected. Please remove write protection or use another drive."

Then you say, "...fuck, how did this happen"? Don't panic - take a deep breath and remain calm.

This is just an error message. Now we will go through several simple steps to remove write protection from USB flash drive. It's just technology and we can fix a lot of things.

Step 1 - Check your USB drive for viruses

Every time you connect a USB drive to your computer, you should automatically scan for viruses - especially if you used it on computers that you don't own.

Viruses often fill USB drives with their files - this can cause a message: write protected.

Depending on the antivirus software, it can be configured to automatically scan USB drives when they are connected.

If you don’t have such a tool, you’ll have to do the scanning manually, it’s not difficult.

If you find a virus, eliminate it using antivirus programs.

Most likely, where there is one virus, there are two or more. There are good recommendations for such work free utilities Doctor Web and AVG.

Step 2 – Check the enclosure of the USB flash drive

Some USB flash drives are equipped with a mechanical switch that allows you to set them to the write-protected position.

This can be a very small slider switch that can switch on its own in a pocket or computer case (if it is an adapter).

If this is your situation, then simply move the switch to the open position and try copying the files again.

Today there are not many USB drives with such locks. So there's a good chance that this isn't your problem.

On the other hand, if this is not the question, then the following fixes are a little more complicated.

Step 3 - Make sure the disk is not full

If your USB drive is full, you may also receive a writing error message.

So find yours USB drive, right-click on it and select Properties.

This will give you a nice pie chart of how much is being used and how much is available free space on your disk.

Step 4 – File System

Make sure you are not using a file that is write-protected. Yes, you will receive a different error message, but perhaps you jumped to conclusions and thought that it was the entire USB flash drive that was blocked. This happens.

Right click on the file you are trying to burn and then on "properties" and the "security" tab.

You will now see several options at the bottom of this window, and one of them is read-only.

Make sure that the checkbox is unchecked or unchecked, and then click on the Apply button. You should now be able to write to this file.

Step 5 - Diskpart Command Line Utility

Have you ever worked on the Windows command line? This is not as scary as one might think, and as such it is the next logical step to remove protection.

Click on and enter the word CMD in the field: search for programs and files.

Now, click on the top (black icon). You will see the following window:

Enter the command “DiskPart” into it and press Enter. Diskpart is a tool that is built into Windows and is accessible through a command line utility. With it we can change the values associated with your USB drive.

Make sure this is really your USB drive. Now type the command Select Disk 3, assuming your USB is number 3, and hit Enter.

Now paste another command there - disk clear ReadOnly - and then click on Enter.

This way you have cleared any read-only attributes that might be on it USB drive.

Now close command line and try burning something to the USB disk again. If the protection continues to block access, move on.

Step 6 - to the registry

If none of the previous steps worked for you, then you should do something a little dangerous - enter the registry.

If you are not satisfied with the registry, you can proceed to step 7, to format the USB drive.

Or maybe have a friend who is a computer technician and will check the registry for you.

Try it yourself - it's a fairly simple registry change and you can do it.

Click on the Start menu and enter the command – regedit – in the Search programs and files field. You will see something like the picture in the box below.

Click on the icon at the top and the Registry Editor window will open. By clicking on the arrows next to the menu items, navigate to the branch

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

and find the key named - WriteProtect.

If such an entry exists, right-click on it and click on "Edit".

Now, you will probably find that this parameter is set to 1. 1 means yes and 0 means no. Now change the value to 0 and click on the OK button.

Close Registry Editor and delete USB device, and then connect it again. You should now be able to record to your USB drive. If not, then the disk will have to be formatted.

Step 7 - Format the USB Drive

WARNING: Make sure you do backup all files and information from your USB drive. All data will be lost after formatting.

Formatting hard drive is the last resort. However, it should make your USB capable of reading and writing.

Before formatting a USB drive, determine which file system it already has - NTFS or FAT32.

Usually the file system he already has will be best suited for him.

Now right-click on the selected USB drive and select “Properties” - there you will see the file system.

Close the Properties window, right-click on the USB drive again and select format.

This describes the built-in Windows tool, but sometimes it is advisable, especially if the integrated functions did not bring the desired result.

In the Formatting window, you have several options. You have already determined which file system you will format into.

I suggest unchecking the “Quick Format” checkbox. This will do more than just erase files.

If there are bad sectors on this USB drive, full formatting will give an error.

Formatting shouldn't take much time. Of course, the larger the volume, the longer it will take.

Assuming you don't have physical problem with the disk, it will be formatted and ready to read and write.

Conclusion

Sometimes the problem is simple and can be treated simply. Try the methods above as they are most often correct.

If the problem is deep and requires drastic action, make sure that this is true.

Now you have a lot of troubleshooting tools in your arsenal, you should be able to get your flash drives and drives back up and running, potentially saving you a pretty penny.

Of course, if you have any additional tips, we'd love to read them too. Good luck.

Keywords: usb sd, transcend, microsd, kingston, sandisk, cd, flash, qumo, microsd, apacer, verbatim, sdhc, psp, external, flash drive, dvd.

At some point, while using your operating system, you may find that the file you are trying to open using the File Explorer file manager opens, but you cannot edit it. Most often, users notice this when working with text documents. The problem is the corresponding Read-Only attribute that was placed on the document. In this article we will not go into the root of the problem, we will simply explain how to remove write protection in Total Commander.

Preparatory activities

But before moving on to detailed instructions, which explains how to remove write protection in Total Commander, it is worth paying attention to some nuances. The fact is that this action can only be performed if the presented file manager launched with administrator rights, otherwise nothing will work. Now we will demonstrate how to do this:

Open the Start menu.
Go to All Programs or All Apps (depending on your Windows versions).
Find it in the list Total program Commander.
Click on its icon RMB (right mouse button).
Select the appropriate item.

After this, the application will open with administrator rights and you can remove write protection from Total Commander. So now let’s move directly to the three withdrawal options.

Method 1: Unprotect the file

So, let’s proceed directly to the situation when, when you try to change a file, Total Commander writes to you: “Remove write protection.” You need to do the following:

In the program workspace, go to the folder where problematic file, and select it.
Just above the toolbar there is a horizontal menu. There you need to click on the "File" section.
The corresponding menu will appear. In it you need to select the very first item - “Change attributes”.
The Edit Attributes window appears. In it you can see that there is a checkmark next to the “Read Only” item, which is why you could not make adjustments to the file.
To correct the situation, click on the check mark to make it disappear.
After completing the steps, click OK to save the changes in the program.

This is how easy it is to remove the write protection of a file in Total Commander, so absolutely any user can do it. But what if this protection is applied not to a file, but to a folder? This is exactly what we will look at now.

Method 2: Unprotect the folder

What should you do if there are a lot of files in one folder that require removing write protection? Do not perform the above-described manipulations with each one separately. Fortunately, this is not necessary, because you can remove protection from all files in the folder at once. This is done, by the way, in a similar way, but so that no one has any questions, let’s look at everything step by step.

Run Total Commander as an administrator. How to do this was described at the beginning of the article.
In the program workspace, find the folder you need to remove protection from.
Select it by clicking LMB once.
On the top panel, click on the "Files" section.
From the drop-down menu, select "Edit Attribute".
The familiar “Change Attributes” window will appear. Uncheck "Read Only".
Click OK.

After this, all files located in the selected folder can be edited without problems. Now you have become familiar with the second method, and now let’s move on to the conclusion.

Conclusion

This is where we can end the article, since we have successfully discussed two ways to remove write protection in the Total Commander program. Finally, I would like to highlight them distinctive features. Using the first method, you can easily and quickly change the attribute separate file, however, it is not suitable if you need to change it for several at once. In this case, it is recommended to use the second method.

The era of floppy disks is long gone, but sometimes when trying to write to a flash drive, the user may encounter a situation known since the days of using floppy disks - the removable disk is locked and cannot be used to write files.

We will look at how to solve this problem in detail in our article today.

So, you need to write some information to a flash drive, you insert it into the connector and receive a message like “The disk is write-protected, remove the protection or use another disk.”

This problem can be solved quite quickly, and we will talk about this a little later, but now we should say a few words about the purpose of installing write protection on a flash drive.

Note! Usually, this operation is performed for only one purpose - to protect the flash drive from viruses that can spontaneously be copied to removable media without the user’s knowledge.

Methods for removing write protection from a flash drive

There are 2 key ways to remove protection from a flash drive: hardware and software.

The hardware method is to install a lock switch, which is present in some models of USB flash drives, as well as SD cards. As a rule, the switch is located on the side edge of the drive.

Carefully inspect your existing drive and look for an open/closed lock icon or the word Lock on it.

Note! Removing the protection is very simple - you just need to move the locking lever to opposite direction. Write protection has been removed. Insert the flash drive into the appropriate slot and repeat the file writing operation again.

The software method involves software interaction between the operating system and the flash drive controller, which is responsible for the ability to record information.

Remove write protection using programmatic method, you can use the command line, registry editor or local group policy in Windows 7/8. Let's take a closer look at all of the above methods.

Removing protection using regedit

Step 1.“Start”, enter the name of the editor in the search field Windows registry-regedit. Right-click (RMB) on the program and in context menu go to the “Run as administrator” item.

Step 2. Let's go to the StorageDevicePolicies section:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Important! If there is no such section, you need to create it. To do this, right-click on the section Control - New - Section. We name the section “StorageDevicePolicies” without quotes.

Create (RMB in the right column of the registry) a DWORD value (32 bits) in the created registry branch. For convenience, let's call the created element WriteProtect.

Step 3. You need to make sure that the value of the WriteProtect parameter is 0. Right-click on WriteProtect and select “Change”. If the value is “1” you need to change it to “0” and click “Ok”.

Step 4. Close the registry editor, remove the flash drive and restart the computer. Insert the flash drive. Now the flash drive works as usual, allowing you to write files.

Removing protection using Diskpart

If the flash drive could not be unlocked using the registry, let's try to do it using the Diskpart command interpreter, which allows you to manage disks and partitions using commands that the user enters at the command line.

Step 1.“Start”, enter the name of the command line in the search field Windows strings- cmd. Right-click in the program and select “Run as administrator” in the context menu.

Step 2. Now you need to enter the commands: diskpart and list disk, and after entering each of them, press the Enter key.

Step 3. In the list above, you need to determine what serial number in the name the flash drive has.

This can be done based on the specified size, in our case an 8 GB flash drive, presented in the table as “Disk 1” with a capacity of 7441 MB.

Step 4. We select the disk with the “select” command, clear the attributes that allow only reading “attributes disk clear readonly”.

If the flash drive needs to be formatted, you should enter the following commands “clean”, create a partition “create partition primary”, format it to NTFS “format fs = ntfs” or FAT “format fs = fat”.

Removing protection using the Local Group Policy Editor

Step 1. Open the editor by pressing the Win + R key combination, after which you should enter the command gpedit.msc and press “OK” or Enter.

Step 2. In the editor, open the branch: Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - System - Access to Removable Storage Devices. And look at the state of the parameter “ Removable drives: Deny reading."

If the parameter is enabled, you must disable it.

Step 3. To disable recording restrictions, double-click on the parameter and in the window that appears, select “Disable”, “OK”.

If all the methods described above did not help solve the recording problem, you can try going to the official website of the flash drive manufacturer and looking for proprietary utilities for working with the drive.

It is also possible that the flash drive has exhausted its resource (there is a limit on the number of rewrites, after which the drive is switched to read-only mode) and the only way out of the situation is to buy a new flash drive.

Each user has at least one flash drive or memory card for mobile device. They help to store a large amount of information that is always at hand. But sometimes during copying a message appears: the flash drive is write-protected; you will learn how to remove the protection from this article.

What to do if the disc is write protected

The easiest way to remove write protection on a flash drive is to switch the mechanical switch that is found on some memory cards (it will also be useful for you to read the article “”). Move it to the “unlock” position. If this does not help, use the built-in Windows tools.

In the Registry Editor

To remove protection from a flash drive if the disk is write-protected, in the registry editor:

Video on the topic “disk is write protected”

The video shows how to remove write protection more clearly.

Conclusion

If you cannot write information to the flash drive, change Windows settings. To fix the problem, use the command line, registry, or Group Editor local policies. If you have problems with a Transend removable flash drive, to restore it, download and run the proprietary Transcend utility JetFlash Online.