How can I remove the write-protection from my USB flash drive?

Anonymous September 7, 2014

Hi,

My 8GB SanDisk pen drive has been write protected for a very long time I guess. How can resolve this trouble? I am not able to format it and also tried few solutions over from the net, but nothing worked. Any solutions here? Best if someone already did remove their write protection!

I am a win 8.1 user.

  1. Saumyakanta S
    September 7, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    the pendrive is basically locked to protect data . Its permanent , you need to replace it.

    • Howard B
      September 10, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      In many cases a USB drive is *not* locked permanently. Many older USB drives have a tiny "write-protect" switch along the side, as do many older "full-sized" SD cards. Check the sides for a switch and markings such as "open lock" and "closed lock" symbols.
      As Hovsep also mentioned, there are software "read-only" modes for some disks, depending on the file system.

  2. Hovsep A
    September 7, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    1. Open CMD with administrative rights and press enter
    2. type: diskpart
    3. type: list disk
    4. type: select disk # (# is the number of the USB)
    5. type: attributes disk clear readonly
    6.type: Exit
    7. Unplug usb key and replug.