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How to Remove Write Protection from USB Drive in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7

Your USB flash drive is write-protected? Here is a straightforward guide on how to remove write protection from the USB drive in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7 without data loss.

Step by Step to Remove Write Protection from USB Drive in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7

If your USB drive is write-protected and you can’t access the data, don’t panic. Here are steps to remove write protection from the USB drive in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7.

1. Unlock and Remove Write Protection on USB Drive

In order to protect data security on USB flash drive, a lot of manufacturers add a switch on the USB drive. If the switch of your USB drive is locked that could make your USB drive write protected on a Windows PC. In this case, you need to turn the switch of your USB drive to the unlock place.

2. Remove Write Protection from USB Drive in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 with Diskpart Command

You are also able to use Diskpart Command to remove write protection from USB drive in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8 and Windows 7. Take these steps:

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2. Type cmd and hit Enter to open Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type diskpart and hit Enter to open diskpart.

Step 4. Type list disk and hit Enter.

Note: Remember the disk number of your write protected USB drive in Windows PC.

Step 5. Select disk 0 (0 is the number of your write protected USB drive) and hit Enter.

Step 6. Type attributes disk clear readonly and hit Enter to disable write protection from USB drive.

3. Remove Write Protection from USB Drive in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 with Registry

If still can’t successfully remove wirte protection from USB drive on your Windows PC, you could try to modify registry to fix it. Take these steps:

Step 1. Connect removable device which is write protected with Windows PC.

Step 2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 3. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry.

Step 4. Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and expand System.

Step 5.Click Current Control Set in System list and click Control.

Step 6. Check the option Storage Device Policies, and change the digit in the DWORD value box into “0” and then click OK.

Step 7. Reboot your PC.

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