Encountering the “The disk is write protected” error when trying to copy files to or format a USB drive? This error prevents you from modifying the contents of the drive, making it seem like the USB is locked. This mostly occurs when the Windows registry entry is corrupt, your system administrator has placed limitations or the device itself is corrupt. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try to resolve this issue and regain full access to your USB drive. In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of “The Disk Is Write Protected” Error and provide step-by-step instructions to fix it.
The disk is write protected. Remove the write-protection or use another disk
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Remove write protection from USB drives
When you try to write to a USB drive, the “The disk is write protected” error can pop up for a variety of reasons. Essentially, the error message means that the drive has been locked, preventing any write operations. While this feature is designed to protect the data on the drive from accidental modification or deletion, It can be triggered due to various factors.
- Physical Write Protection Switch: Some USB drives have a physical switch that can toggle write protection on and off. If this switch is enabled, you won’t be able to write to the drive.
- Corrupted File System: A corrupted file system on the USB drive can cause Windows to prevent write operations, triggering the error message.
- Registry Settings: Certain registry settings in Windows can enable write protection on all USB drives connected to the system.
- Malware or Virus Infection: Malware or viruses can alter the settings of a USB drive or system to make the drive write-protected.
- Drive Malfunction: If the USB drive itself is damaged or malfunctioning, it might automatically trigger write protection to prevent further damage.
Check the Physical Write Protection Switch
Some USB drives have a small switch that can toggle write protection. This switch is usually located on the side of the drive and can be easily flipped.
- Inspect the USB drive for a write protection switch. If you find one, ensure it is set to the “off” or “unlock” position
- After adjusting the switch, try to copy files to the drive or format it again.
Check Security Permissions
In some cases, the “The disk is write protected” error may be caused by incorrect security permissions on the USB drive. If the permissions are set to read-only, you won’t be able to write to the drive.
- Right-click on the USB drive in File Explorer and select “Properties.”
- Go to the “Security” tab and click on “Edit” to change permissions.
- Select your user account under “Group or user names” and make sure that “Full control” is checked under “Permissions for [your account].”
- If “Full control” is not checked, select it, then click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
- Close the Properties window and try writing to the drive again.
Modify the Windows Registry to Disable Write Protection
Diskpart is a powerful command-line utility in Windows that can manage disks and partitions. You can use it to remove write protection from your USB drive.
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box. Type diskpart and press Enter. This will open the Diskpart utility in Command Prompt.
- In the Diskpart window, type list disk and press Enter. This will display a list of all connected drives.
- Identify your USB drive from the list by its size, and note its disk number (e.g., Disk 1).
- Type select disk X (replace X with the disk number of your USB drive) and press Enter.
- Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter. This command removes the write protection from the selected disk.
- Type exit to close the Diskpart utility.
That’s it, disconnect and reconnect the USB drive. Your drive should now work as normal in File Explorer.
Modify the Windows Registry to Disable Write Protection
If the write protection issue is due to a Windows registry setting, you can manually modify the registry to disable write protection.
- Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If you see a key named WriteProtect, double-click it and change its value from 1 to 0.
If the StorageDevicePolicies key or WriteProtect value does not exist, you can create them manually. Right-click on the Control folder, select “New > Key,” and name it StorageDevicePolicies.
Then, right-click on the StorageDevicePolicies key, select “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value,” name it WriteProtect, and set its value to 0.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. Now check this time your removable drive working properly without write protection error.
Scan the USB Drive for Viruses or Malware
Malware or viruses can modify the settings on your USB drive, causing it to become write-protected. Running a full scan can detect and remove these threats.
- Use a reputable antivirus program to scan the USB drive for malware or viruses. Windows security (Defender) or third-party tools like Malwarebytes can help identify and remove malicious software that might be causing the issue.
Format the USB Drive
If none of the above methods work, formatting the USB drive might be necessary. Be aware that formatting will erase all data on the drive, so ensure you back up any important files before proceeding.
Warning: Make sure that you back up all the files and information from your USB drive to your computer. All data will be lost once the USB drive is formatted.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the USB drive.
- Select “Format” from the context menu.
- Choose the file system you want (usually NTFS or FAT32), uncheck “Quick Format,” and click “Start.”
- Wait for the process to complete. After formatting, the write protection should be removed.
If your USB drive continues to display the “The disk is write protected” error after trying all the above methods, it might be damaged or faulty. In such cases, replacing the drive is often the only viable solution.
