USB flash drive prompts with "Write Protected" message.

Anonymous
2010-06-25T00:56:28+00:00

I have recently purchased a 32gb usb flash drive. I have been using it ok until 3 days ago. I now get a message saying "Write Protected". There is no write protection switch on the device. How do i remove the write protection.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-06-25T21:03:53+00:00

Hi,

You can remove write protection from your usb flash drive using the below method:

a. Open start menu, in the search bar type regedit and press enter. This wil open the registry editor.

b. Navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Note:

If the registry key StorageDevicePolicies does not exist, you will need to create it manually.

c. Highlight StorageDevicePolicies, and then create a New DWORD (32-bit) Value named as WriteProtect.

d. Double click the key WriteProtect in the right window and set the value to 0 in the Value

Data Box and press OK button

e. Restart your computer and try copying files into your USB drives.

Important Note:

Sometimes this problem is caused by two Windows registry entries that have become corrupted. To fix the problem, you have to use Registry Editor to delete the corrupted registry entries.

However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, follow the steps as in the KB Article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/

Hope this helps.

Thanks and Regards:

Shekhar S - Microsoft Support. Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-28T11:41:36+00:00

    Hi friends.

    I had same problem and i tried all methods lyk regedit and command prompt diskpart method. nothing is helpful,...

    and in my flash drive i found a folder named "USB" and its write protected also. in all blog no one said about this folder. bt i seen somewhere in internet. need to change the read only option in properties of file name "Protected.txt" in usb drive... am not found this type of file bt i found only "USB" folder only..

    Can anybody help me???? :(

    MY FLASH DRIVE hp 8gb 

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-15T19:06:19+00:00

    A DWORD is the length of the 'word' and is not connected to the OS type, either 32-bit or 64-bit. 

    It stands for 'double_word'.  It relates to the processor architecture and was originally 16-bits of data in a word. 

    DWORD is therefore 2 x 16-bit words (32-bits). 

    A  QWORD is 64 bits - 4 x 16-bits. 

    If you read my post of 17 June, 2013, you will see that I've tried all known or published methods and some 'Write protected' USB sticks cannot be repaired, formatted or erased. 

    You can read this thread from page one and try the other methods suggested if the SystemDriverPolicies failed.

    I would be delighted if you can find a method of not 'chucking it in the garbage' and so would a lot of others following this thread. Perhaps you will let us know how you get on?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-15T17:17:06+00:00

    ok..figured out the DWORD thing and created a new folder named StorageDevicePolicies. But it still did not work. The Dword is for 32 bit OS though. In question...it wasnt mentioned here if you have a 64 bit OS then select to use the QWORD for 64 bit OS. Am I correct or still use the DWORD even for a 64 bit OS? With all of that said..it didnt work using the DWORD and putting it to 0.

    FYI: This is a brand new USB drive and I dont plan on chunking it in the garbage for the money i spent on it like has been recommended here. I added a few files on it and then it became write portected. Need other options. Thanks

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-15T09:57:58+00:00

    DWORD is a term used in the Registry for values put into a 'key'.  Various software programs refer to their 'keys' in the registry in order to carry out specific functions.  

    As mentioned in my post of May 20, 2013, you need to open the Registry Editor - regedit.exe to carry out the operations described.

    However, you can get into a lot of trouble if you don't know much about the Registry or editing it and although unlikely, you could prevent Win 7 running properly or at all .....

    Unless there's some vital information on the USB stick, it might be better to just bin it, rather than tinker with the Registry.

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