how to fix 'the disk is write-protected' on a win usb drive
Aug 02, 2025 am 10:57 AM
Check for a physical write protection switch on the USB drive and ensure it’s in the unlocked position. 2. Use DiskPart by running it as administrator, listing disks, selecting the correct USB disk, and clearing the readonly attribute. 3. Edit the Windows Registry by navigating to StorageDevicePolicies under Control, creating the key if needed, and setting the WriteProtect value to 0. 4. Scan the system with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes to remove any malware enforcing write protection. 5. Format the drive using Disk Management with NTFS or exFAT after ensuring other steps failed. If formatting fails, the drive may be counterfeit or permanently damaged, but most cases are resolved with DiskPart or registry fixes.
The "disk is write-protected" error on a Windows USB drive can be frustrating—especially when you need to copy, delete, or format files. This issue isn't always due to a physical switch; sometimes it's caused by software settings, malware, or corrupted configurations. Here’s how to fix it step by step.
1. Check for a Physical Write Protection Switch
Some USB drives (especially larger ones or those from brands like SanDisk) have a small physical switch on the side that enables or disables write protection.
- Look along the side of the USB drive for a tiny switch.
- If present, slide it to the "unlocked" position (usually up for write access).
- Reconnect the drive and test if you can now write to it.
? Note: Not all USB drives have this switch—many don’t. If yours doesn’t, move to the next step.
2. Use DiskPart to Remove Write Protection
Windows includes a command-line tool called DiskPart that can help remove write protection at the disk level.
Steps:
Press Win R, type
cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.-
In the command window, type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
diskpart list disk
Identify your USB drive from the list (check size to confirm).
Select the disk (replace X with your USB disk number):
select disk X
Check the current attributes:
attributes disk
Clear the read-only attribute:
attributes disk clear readonly
Close DiskPart:
exit
Now try accessing the drive again. You should be able to format or write files.
?? Warning: Be very careful to select the correct disk—choosing the wrong one could damage your system or data.
3. Edit the Windows Registry (If DiskPart Didn’t Work)
Sometimes, group policies or malware set a registry key that forces write protection.
Steps:
Press Win R, type
regedit, and press Enter.Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
If the
StorageDevicePolicieskey doesn’t exist, go to:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
Right-click on
Control→ New → Key, and name itStorageDevicePolicies.Inside
StorageDevicePolicies, look for a DWORD value namedWriteProtect.Double-click
WriteProtectand set its value to 0.-
If
WriteProtectdoesn’t exist, create it:- Right-click in the right pane → New → DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Name it
WriteProtect - Set value to 0
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
After rebooting, test the USB drive again.
? Always back up the registry before making changes, or export the key first.
4. Scan for Malware or Viruses
Some malware locks USB drives to prevent cleaning or spread via removable media.
- Run a full scan using Windows Defender or a trusted antivirus program.
- Use tools like Malwarebytes to check for infections that might be enforcing write protection.
After cleaning, retry writing to the drive.
5. Format the Drive (Last Resort)
If none of the above work, formatting may resolve the issue—but only if the system allows it.
Try formatting via Disk Management:
- Press Win X → Disk Management.
- Locate your USB drive.
- Right-click the partition and choose Format.
- Choose NTFS or exFAT, enable "Quick Format", and proceed.
If formatting fails with "media is write-protected", the drive may be failing or permanently locked (especially if it's counterfeit or damaged).
Final Notes
- Cheap or counterfeit USB drives often fake capacity and may become permanently write-protected when they fail.
- If the drive still won’t work after all steps, it may be hardware-failure related or end-of-life.
Try these fixes in order—they cover most common causes. In most cases, DiskPart or Registry edits resolve the issue.
Basically, it’s not always the drive—it’s often Windows or a hidden setting blocking access.
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