To format a read-only disk to its normal state in Windows 11, follow these steps: 1. Insert the read-only disk into your computer's USB port or CD/DVD drive. 2. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon on the taskbar or pressing the Win + E keys on your keyboard. 3. In the left-hand pane, locate and click on the drive letter of your disk, which is usually represented by letters like "D:", "E:", and so on. 4. Right-click on the disk partition and select "Format" from the context menu. 5. In the Format window, ensure that the following settings are correct: - File system: Choose an appropriate file system, such as "NTFS" or "FAT32," depending on your needs. - Allocation unit size: Typically, keep the default value. - Format options: Deselect "Quick format" since a read-only disk might require a full format. - Volume label: Optionally, you can enter a new name to identify the disk. 6. After confirming the settings, click the "Start" button. A warning will inform you that formatting will erase all data on the disk. Make sure you have backed up important files, then click "OK." 7. Wait for the formatting process to complete. This may take some time, depending on the size of the disk. 8. Once formatting is finished, the disk should be back to its normal read/write state. Test this by attempting to copy files onto the disk. Please note that formatting will permanently delete all data on the disk, so make sure to back up important files before proceeding.

Updated by

Tracy King 

Last updated on May 10, 2024

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A disk appearing as read-only is a relatively common issue in Windows. It means the disk is set to read-only mode, preventing any changes from being made to files or folders on it.

There could be several reasons for this issue. One possibility is that there is a problem with the file system on the disk. This could be due to errors within the file system or damage to it.

Another possibility is that there is an issue with a disk-related driver. This could be due to a corrupted driver or incorrect installation of the driver.

If you encounter this issue, there are a few methods you can try to resolve it. In this article, we'll delve into how to format a read-only disk to a regular Windows 11 drive. So, let's get started.

Scenario - Hard drive showing as read-only?

File permissions:

One of the most common reasons a disk appears as read-only is due to file permissions. If a file or folder is set to read-only, you won't be able to make any modifications to it. To fix this issue, you need to change the file permissions accordingly.

• Disk damage:

If the disk itself is damaged, it will often appear as read-only. In this case, you will need to format the disk and reinstall any necessary software.

The file system is incorrect:

A misconfigured file system on the disk can also cause it to appear read-only, so you'll need to repair the file system to make changes to the disk.

• Viral infections:

A virus infection can also cause a disk to appear as a read-only medium. In most cases, you need to scan the disk for viruses and remove them to make changes.

Hardware failure:

If a disk has a hardware issue, it will typically present itself as read-only. In that case, you will need to replace the disk in order to make modifications.

How to Change Read-Only USB on Windows 11?

We understand that a "read-only disk" can be troublesome. But don't worry, there are three methods to help you format a read-only disk to a standard Windows 11 disk. Check out the best approaches below: 1. **Change Disk Properties**: - Right-click on the disk icon and select "Properties." - In the "General" tab, uncheck the "Read-only" checkbox. - Click "Apply," then "OK," and confirm if you want to remove data from the disk. 2. **Using Command Prompt**: - Press `Win + X` and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)." - Type `diskpart` and press Enter. - Input `list disk` to find the disk number you want to format. - Type `select disk [number]`, replacing `[number]` with the actual disk number. - Type `clean` to erase disk data (this will delete all information, so proceed with caution). - Type `format fs=[file system] quick`, e.g., `format fs=fat32 quick`, choose the file system as needed. - Exit twice by typing `exit`. 3. **Using Disk Management Tool**: - Right-click the Start button and choose "Disk Management." - Locate the read-only disk you want to format, right-click it, and select "Format." - In the pop-up window, choose a file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT32), and uncheck "Quick Format" (unless you're sure there's no important data on the disk). - Click "OK," then click "OK" in the warning dialog to start formatting. Make sure to back up essential data before proceeding, as formatting will erase everything on the disk. Hope this helps!

#1. Remove Disk Write Protection via CMD and Registry Editor

Step 1: Open the Start menu, and type "CMD" into the search field. Press Enter.

Type cmd in the Run window

Step 2: Type “cmd Diskpart” and press Enter. You'll see a new Command Prompt window.

Step 3: Here, type “list disk.” Press Enter. Make sure your storage device is listed.

Step 4: Now type “select disk x” and press Enter.

Step 5: Press Enter after "attributes disk clear read-only." Press Enter again.

Congratulations. You have successfully removed the read-only attribute. You can now exit the DiskPart utility.

#2. Changing Read-Only Permission in Windows 11

There might be times when you come across a USB drive labeled as read-only, and you wonder how to change a read-only USB on Windows 11. Well, here's how you can do it. To change a read-only USB drive to writable in Windows 11, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and locate the USB drive you want to make writable.

Step 2: Right-click on the USB drive and select Properties from the menu.

Step 3: Click the “Security” tab, then click the “Edit” button.

Step 4: Under the "Group or user names" section, find your username and check the "Allow" box next to "Full control."

Step 5: Click “Apply” and then “OK.” Your USB drive should now be writable. Close File Explorer, and then safely remove your USB drive from your computer.

#3. Format the read-only disk to the desired file system

Many storage devices like USBs, SD cards, and hard drives are pre-formatted. So, trying to format them can get tricky, and you won't be able to write anything on them. Your only option is to buy a new one.

This is one of the main reasons why you encounter read-only errors. But now, you don't need to purchase a new storage device. Instead, you can take advantage of an excellent tool – Partition Master to fix this issue.

Step 1. Run Partition Master and right click the hard drive partition you want to format, then choose “Format”.

Step 2. In the new window, set the "Volume label," "File system" (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and "Cluster size" for the partition to be formatted, then click "OK."

Step 3: You'll see a warning; click “Yes” to proceed.

Step 4: Click “Run 1 Task” to preview the changes, and then click “Apply” to start formatting the hard drive partition.

As the name suggests, it allows you to reformat the disk to any format. It can be FAT16/32, NTFS, or EXT2/3/4. So, download this fantastic software today and format your read-only disk to the standard Windows 11 format.

Related article:  Format External Hard Drive to NTFS or exFAT: Which Is Better?

This is a description of the features of the software:

• Format an SD card
• Resize partitions
• Reformat Windows 11
• Erase hard drive data

Conclusions

Now you know how to format a read-only disk to a standard Windows 11 disk. See, that wasn't so hard. But what would really be the cherry on top is the Partition Manager software. It's a user-friendly and practical tool that lets you deal with “disk read-only” errors. So, download it today and say goodbye to such errors.