USB drive becomes write protected after inserting it

Question

Whenever I insert a USB drive in my desktop PC running Windows 7 Ultimate, it becomes write protected. Then when I use it on my laptop, I can't delete the files on it.

I already tried scanning for malware and viruses.

Can I repair this, eventually without reformatting?

I dont know what to do. I tried scanning, there is no virus. no malwares. — Bazinga, Aug 09 '12 at 12:53
I mean, you said you searched on Google and "followed what they said". So by that, you meant a virus scan? — slhck, Aug 09 '12 at 12:54
What i search was also to repair the usb from not being write protected. — Bazinga, Aug 09 '12 at 12:55
Are you saying you *can* format the drive to make it writeable again? If not, then please see [this](http://superuser.com/questions/402688/why-did-my-flash-drive-become-read-only-and-how-can-i-fix-it)... the drive may be a lost cause. In any case, copy *all* the data off the drive **now**. — Bob, Aug 09 '12 at 13:05
@user1302274 I was referring to formatting the flash (USB) drive... — Bob, Aug 09 '12 at 13:09
@user1302274 Then you have likely run into a similar issue as me. I've personally accepted that that drive will never work again; there seems to be nothing to do short of a firmware flash (and frankly, a new drive is easier). — Bob, Aug 09 '12 at 13:11
it was a new flash drive :( I think the problem was with the desktop pc. cause all the usb drives being inserted in it is being write protected. — Bazinga, Aug 09 '12 at 13:14
Which medium did you try scanning? How exactly is it write protected? — Tamara Wijsman, Aug 09 '12 at 13:15
@TomWijsman what do you mean by medium. I scan my desktop pc. but no virus. I was write protected cause i cant copy anything from it. and cant delete files saying its write protected. — Bazinga, Aug 09 '12 at 13:22
Is **ReadyBoost** turned on? Because I think that can cause it to be locked. But honestly it sounds like a faulty contact. — imtheman, Aug 09 '12 at 21:26

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 09 '17 at 01:30

If the flash drive is especially old or sees heavy use, there's a chance that it's on its last legs and the flash controller can no longer (safely) write to the memory blocks. If that's the case, copy everything off of the drive to a safe location as soon as possible.

(Note: I'm not familiar with how operating systems actually handle this scenario, as I've yet to experience it myself. I'm just throwing out the possibility.)

EDIT: Sorry Bob, I didn't see your reply to the question before I posted this.

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 29 '21 at 11:44

1

If there's nothing physically wrong with the drive this could help anyone looking at this thread.

From an Administrator cmd prompt (Win+X, A):

diskpart
list disk
select disk X (Replace "X" with the number of your write-protected hard drive.)
attributes disk clear readonly

edited Apr 29 '21 at 11:44

zdimension

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answered Apr 25 '21 at 03:19

Cryptogenik

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Tamara Wijsman · Answer 3 · 2012-08-09T13:34:04.453

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This either happens by the hardware lock or a software setting:

You have write protected the USB drive by sliding a lock.

To resolve this, you can slide it back to be unlocked. Use tape if you accidentally lock it.
Your storage device policy is set to be write protected.

To resolve this, open up the registry editor (Start -> Run -> regedit) and browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies, there you can create / edit a new DWORD called WriteProtect and set the value to 0.

If StorageDevicePolicies doesn't exist, you can safely create that registry key as well.

Check the latter on both your desktop and laptop.

edited Aug 09 '12 at 13:34

answered Aug 09 '12 at 13:28

Tamara Wijsman

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Have tried it. But, for example. from my laptop I copy a file in my usb. then in my desktop pc, it became corrupted when I access it. I think the prob is in my desktop. – Bazinga Aug 09 '12 at 13:48
@user1302274: Sounds like you are not doing safe removal? – Tamara Wijsman Aug 09 '12 at 13:51
Im doing safe removal. – Bazinga Aug 09 '12 at 13:52
This fixed my issue on a domain based organization. – Niklas May 08 '19 at 08:27

Carl B · Answer 4 · 2012-09-05T05:57:43.943

0

Insert USB drive

go to Computer
Right click the USB Drive icon and click Properties
Click the security tab.
Click edit under the Group or user names display.
Click on Everyone (so that it is highlighted) then below in the permissions for Everyone area, tick Full Control.

edited Sep 05 '12 at 05:57

answered Sep 05 '12 at 05:45

Carl B

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score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Aug 13 '14 at 14:03

Open up a console (cmd.exe) and type diskpart. Type list disk then select disk 0 (change the 0 to whatever number your USB drive is. Type detail disk and check the "Current Read-only State" and the "Read-only" attributes. If it says "No" for the first and "Yes" for the second, your USB drive may be going bad. If it's the other way around, then it's a policy/program messing with it. If this is the case, back up your files on the USB drive, open up another console and type (again, replace the 0 on select disk 0 with your USB drive number):

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
clean
create partition primary
format fs=FAT32 quick

Safely remove the USB drive and try it again.

score -2 · Answer 6 · edited Mar 15 '13 at 12:05

-2

Works except in windows 7.

Right-click the USB drive icon then select Properties.
Go to Sharing > Advanced sharing.
Tick Share this folder
Click Permissions.
Select Everyone.
Check Allow under Full Control.
Click Apply > Apply > Close.

edited Mar 15 '13 at 12:05

Ellesa

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answered Mar 15 '13 at 10:37

STEVEN PI CKETT

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USB drive becomes write protected after inserting it

6 Answers6