How to Fix "The Disk is Write Protected" Error? | Remove Write Protection

Encountering "The Disk is Write Protected" error when trying to format or write data to a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive can be frustrating. This guide will show you various methods to remove write protection and regain full access to your storage device.

Introduction
Write protection prevents modifications to the contents of a storage device, making it impossible to add, delete, or modify files. This feature can be helpful for protecting data, but it can also become a hindrance when you need to use the device normally. Below are several methods to remove write protection from your storage device.

Steps to Fix "The Disk is Write Protected" Error
Step 01: Check for a Physical Write Protection Switch

Many USB drives and SD cards have a physical switch that enables or disables write protection. Locate this switch on the side of the device and ensure it is set to the "unlocked" position. If the switch is in the "locked" position, the device will be write-protected.

Step 02: Use Diskpart Command-Line Utility

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Launch Diskpart Utility:

In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter.
List All Disks:

Type list disk and press Enter. Note the number of the disk that is write-protected.
Select the Disk:

Type select disk X (replace X with the disk number) and press Enter.
Remove Write Protection:

Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter.
Exit Diskpart:

Type exit and press Enter to close the Diskpart utility.
Step 03: Modify the Registry

Open Registry Editor:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and press Enter.
Navigate to the Following Key:

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If the StorageDevicePolicies key does not exist, create it:

Right-click on Control and select New ▶️Key. Name it StorageDevicePolicies.
Right-click on StorageDevicePolicies and select New ▶️ DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it WriteProtect.
Modify WriteProtect Value:

Double-click on WriteProtect and set the value data to 0. Click OK.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Step 04: Check and Repair Disk Errors

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as an administrator.
Run Check Disk Utility:

Type chkdsk X: /f /r (replace X with the drive letter of your write-protected device) and press Enter.
Allow the utility to complete its scan and repair process. This may take some time, depending on the size of the disk and the extent of any issues found.

Step 05: Use Third-Party Software

If the above methods do not work, consider using third-party software designed to remove write protection and repair storage devices. Some popular tools include:

EaseUS Partition Master
MiniTool Partition Wizard
HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
These tools offer user-friendly interfaces and advanced options to manage and repair your storage devices.

Additional Information
Backup Important Data: Before making any changes, ensure you have a backup of important data on the write-protected device. Some processes may result in data loss.

Physical Damage: If none of the software methods work, the device might have physical damage. In such cases, you may need to replace the device.

Troubleshooting
Error Persists: If the write protection error persists, double-check each step for accuracy. Verify the device is not physically damaged or corrupted beyond repair.

Admin Rights Required: Ensure you have administrative privileges when performing these operations, as some changes require elevated permissions.

By following these steps, you should be able to remove write protection from your storage device and restore its full functionality, allowing you to read and write data without any issues.

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