How To Remove Write Protection From USB Drives And Memory Cards

If you've got a USB drive or SD card that can't be formatted and to which you can't copy files, then take a look at our guide to removing write protection.

Sometimes you'll find that it's impossible to format, delete or copy new files to an SD card or USB flash drive. Windows will tell you that it is write protected, even though there is no 'lock' switch or – if there is – you've made sure the switch is set correctly to allow files to be written to the drive.

But just in case this switch is news to you, it is well worth checking that your device has the switch set to 'unlocked'. When set to 'locked' you won't be able to copy any new files on to the memory card or USB stick, and it also stops you from accidentally formatting it.

You'll still be able to view files which are already stored on the drive, but you can't delete them (they sometimes seem to delete OK, but the next time you check, there they are again!).

ut if this isn't the problem, you might still be able to fix things and continue to use your USB flash drive or SD card – we'll explain how.

Unfortunately, in some cases the device may be corrupt or physically broken and no tricks or software will make it work again. The only solution in this case is to buy a new drive. And if you're just trying to get back lost data, see our guide on How to recover deleted filed for free.

In any version of Windows from XP onwards, run Regedit.exe.

If you're not sure how to find it, searching 'regedit' in the Start menu will usually show the program at the top of the list.

It's a bit like File Explorer, so use the pane on the left to navigate to the following key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Note: if you can't find StorageDevicePolicies, see the next step.

Double-click on the WriteProtect value in the right-hand pane. You can now change the Value data from 1 to 0. Then click OK to save the change. Close Regedit and restart your computer. Connect your USB drive again and, with a bit of luck, you should find it is no longer write protected.

You can now continue to use the drive, but it's worth copying off any files you want to keep and then formatting it by right-clicking on it in the list of drives in File Explorer and choosing Format.

StorageDevicePolicies

If you can't find StorageDevicePolicies, you can create it by right-clicking in the white space in the 'Control' folder and choosing New -> Key and entering the name StorageDevicePolicies.

Now double-click on the new key (it will show as a folder) and right-click once again in the white space and choose New -> DWORD. Name this WriteProtect and set its value to 0. Click OK, exit Regedit and reboot your computer.

If this method doesn't work, go to the next step.

Diskpart

With your USB drive or memory card attached to your computer, launch a command prompt. You can do this by searching for cmd.exe or 'Command Prompt' in the Start menu.

Note: you may need to run cmd.exe with administrator privileges if you see an "access is denied" message. To do this, right-click on Command Prompt in the Start menu and choose 'Run as administrator' from the menu that appears.

If you have Windows 10, simply right-click on the Start button (bottom left of the screen) and choose Command Prompt (admin).

Now, at the prompt, type the following and press Enter after each command:

diskpart
list disk
select disk x (where x is the number of your non-working drive – use the capacity to work out which one it is)
attributes disk clear readonly
clean
create partition primary
format fs=fat32 (you can swap fat32 for ntfs if you only need to use the drive with Windows computers)
exit

That's it. Your drive should now work as normal in File Explorer. If it doesn't, it's bad news and there's nothing more to be done. Your stick or memory card is scrap and fit only for the bin. But the good news is that storage is cheap.

Related articles

1. Hacking Tools Hardware
2. Hacking Tools For Pc
3. Tools Used For Hacking
4. Hacking Tools Free Download
5. Hacking Tools Kit
6. Hack Apps
7. Pentest Tools Subdomain
8. Blackhat Hacker Tools
9. Nsa Hack Tools Download
10. Hacker Tools Mac
11. Underground Hacker Sites
12. Hack App
13. Pentest Tools Nmap
14. World No 1 Hacker Software
15. World No 1 Hacker Software
16. Pentest Tools
17. Pentest Tools List
18. Hacker Tools Free Download
19. Hack Tools Pc
20. What Is Hacking Tools
21. Hacking Tools For Kali Linux
22. Hacking Tools For Games
23. Android Hack Tools Github
24. Pentest Tools Android
25. What Are Hacking Tools
26. Hacker Tools For Pc
27. Pentest Tools List
28. Hacker Tools List
29. Pentest Tools Alternative
30. How To Install Pentest Tools In Ubuntu
31. Hacker Tools Apk
32. Pentest Tools
33. Android Hack Tools Github
34. Hacker Tools Github
35. Pentest Tools Tcp Port Scanner
36. Hacking Tools For Windows
37. Pentest Tools Alternative
38. Wifi Hacker Tools For Windows
39. Hacker Tools For Mac
40. Pentest Tools
41. Hacking Tools Software
42. Pentest Tools List
43. Pentest Box Tools Download
44. Hacking Tools 2019
45. Hacking Tools Download
46. Hacker Tools 2019
47. Nsa Hack Tools
48. Blackhat Hacker Tools
49. Hack Tools 2019
50. Hacker Tools For Ios
51. Ethical Hacker Tools
52. Hack Tools Github
53. How To Hack
54. Pentest Tools Tcp Port Scanner
55. Hacking Tools Windows 10
56. Hacking Tools For Beginners
57. Tools For Hacker
58. Pentest Tools Tcp Port Scanner
59. Physical Pentest Tools
60. Hacker Tools
61. What Is Hacking Tools
62. Kik Hack Tools
63. Pentest Tools Download
64. Hacking Tools For Windows 7
65. Hacker Tools Mac
66. Hacker Tools Apk
67. Hacking Tools For Pc
68. Pentest Tools Website
69. How To Make Hacking Tools
70. Pentest Tools Framework
71. Hacking Tools Online
72. Pentest Tools Tcp Port Scanner
73. Pentest Tools Open Source