A removable disk is very handy for when you want to store large files if you do not want to overload your PC's memory. Flash sticks, external hard drives, SD cards, and DVDs are some of the prime examples of such devices. These are detected by the computer automatically, but some issues might affect these devices, causing them to become unreadable or not be writable. Show
Disk Write Protected ErrorWhen you see the error prompt "the disk is write protected" as soon as you plug in a peripheral storage device, this means that you cannot write or format the disk until this problem is solved. This usually happens in Windows version 7, 8, 8.1, and the latest Windows 10. One common cause that some users overlook is a switch the device may have that turns on write protection. If the storage device is full, you may also encounter this issue. These are pretty easy to solve, but some cases are a bit more complicated. For example, this error may be caused by bad partitions within the drive, or security is breached by a malware attack. Since you will not be able to access the removable disk, you need to be able to undo the write protection before you can use it again. How to Solve Disk Is Write Protected ErrorVideo Tutorial on How to Fix "The Disk is Write Protected" Error?When your PC detects that the disk is write protected, it automatically stops operation such as writing and formatting on the device. The disk will then be switched to read-only mode, meaning you can view files but not edit them. In some cases (as in USB corruption) This disk malfunction can be solved with these following methods: 1. Check for SwitchesSometimes, all it takes is a switch to remove write protection. Simply perform a physical check of your device to find any switch, which is usually found on the edges for the SD card. You can also refer to the manual. 2. Use Registry to Disable Write Protection
3. Removing Write Protection in Command Prompt
list disk select disk attributes disk clear readonly
4. Check the Account Permissions
Note: You may need to click Edit before you can tick/untick the boxes. 5. Check Device MemoryIf your external storage device has a lot of files saved in it, this might enable the write protection function. To solve this, you may need to delete unnecessary files to free up space.
6. Scan for VirusIf malware has infected your system, it can be transferred to the external storage device once you plug it in. Before using these devices, make sure to run a scan with an antivirus or Windows security feature. The virus may delete, modify, and corrupt important files in the computer; prevent this by adding an antivirus software that automatically detects such threats. 7. Format Disk
Note: Formatting the device will wipe out all data saved in it. 8. Verify the Bad Sectors
ConclusionPlugging and unplugging external storage devices can subject them to potential threats and enable write protection. It will either move the device to read-only mode, or you may be unable to access any part of the disk. Always scan your device to detect any errors or malfunction before using it. |