Issue 'This Disk is Write Protected' - How to Format a...

'This Disk is Write Protected' - How to Format a Write-Protected USB Drive

Sometimes it is vital to keep the files stored on a USB drive or an SD card safe from any future changes or tampering. One way to achieve this is via write protection or read-only functionality. You cannot change, delete, move, or manipulate the files on a write-protected USB drive and will be shown a warning message such as 'This Disk is Write Protected.' If at some point, you no longer need the data stored on that particular USB and wish to format it, you will need to remove the protection first. 

Check for a Write-Protection Switch

Many USB Drives and SD cards have a dedicated physical switch that enables the protection of the data stored on them. Look at your USB and see if it indeed has such a switch and move it to the appropriate position to unlock it. Afterward, you can use the normal methods to format the device. 

Use the Registry to Bypass the Write-Protection

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
  2. In the Run dialog window, type regedit and press Enter.
  3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control

  1. Now, right-click Control and from the available options select 'New' followed by 'Key.'
  2. Name the new key 'StorageDevicePolicies.'
  3. Right-click it and go to 'New.' This time select 'DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. Name it 'WriteProtect.'
  5. Set the Value data as 0.
  6. Restart the computer system and format the USB drive. 

Use the DISKPART Command

  1. Type cmd in the search field on the taskbar and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
  2. Plug the USB drive into the computer.
  3. Type diskpart in Command Prompt and press Enter.
  4. Now, type list disk to see all attached storage devices. Find the disk number corresponding to the USB.
  5. Type select disk [number] using the appropriate number and press Enter.
  6. Type attributes disk clear read-only and type Enter to execute the command.
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