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Why do I get the [disk is write protected] message when I try to move my data to a memory card? What's going on? When the write protection feature on your SD card, flash drive, or USB drive is enabled, you won't be able to access it properly to store new data or transfer files as usual.
Basic functions like installing new data, deleting data, or moving data from one drive to another will be disabled. How to Fix the “Write Protected Disk” Error on Windows 10 or Later The direct solution is to remove write protection from the SD card or USB drive and other storage devices.
【Category 1】Best Free Write Protected SD Card Formatting Software Download
There are several ways to remove write protection, among which Windows CleanGenius is the most recommended write protection removal tool. It's a third-party write protection remover that simplifies the command method, allowing you to unlock the write-protected SD card in the most efficient and quickest way.
To make the best use of your SD card, we suggest you first learn how to remove write protection from an SD card, and then format the write protected SD card with reliable software to securely reset the SD card for data storage again. Here's how:
#1. Remove Write Protection from SD Card
With the help of a free partition manager, you can directly solve the problem of removing write protection via simple steps. Here's how:
Step 1: Download and install Partition Master, then go to the “Tools” section and click on “Write Protect.”
Step 2: Select the USB drive, external hard drive, or SD card that you want to remove write protection from, and click Disable.
Aside from removing write protection from an SD card, you can use this tool to fix similar issues on other types of storage devices, such as:
#2. Best Free Write Protected SD Card Formatting Software for Download
Once the write protection is removed, you should be able to access your SD card or USB drive. To ensure the safety of your SD card, it's recommended that you format the SD card with a reliable write protected SD card formatting tool.
If you still can't access the SD card or USB drive, you can try formatting it thoroughly with the Partition Master Free tool. You can download and try it for free here:
Step 1: Select the USB drive you want to format.
Plug your USB drive or flash drive into your computer. Download and launch a partitioning tool. Right-click the USB drive you want to format, then click “Format.”
Step 2: Assign the USB drive letter and file system.
Assign a new label, file system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT) and cluster size to the selected partition, then click “OK”.
Step 3: Click “Yes” to confirm the formatting of your USB.
If you see any warning windows, click “Yes”. If the disk contains important data, back up your data in advance.
Step 4: Apply the changes.
Click on “Execute 1 Task(s)” first, and then click on “Apply” to format the USB drive.
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How to Manually Remove Write Protection from an SD Card, USB, or Flash Drive
Aside from automatically downloading write protection removal software to unlock your SD card, you can try three other methods to fix a write-protected storage device on your own.
Method 1: Check the SD Card/USB Drive Lock Switch
The first thing you should do is check if the SD card or USB drive is locked.
Please check if your SD card or USB drive has a switch and make sure it is not locked.
Method 2: Check the SD Card/USB Drive Properties
The first step is to open "My Computer" and click on "Removable Storage Devices".
Step 2: Right-click on the SD card or USB drive and select “Properties.”
Step 3: Select “Remove Write Protection.”
Note that this option may not appear on all SD cards; only a select few brands have it. If yours doesn't, continue to the next method for help.
Method 3: Disable Write Protection in the Registry
- 1. Connect your SD card or USB drive to the computer, and then click the "Start" button.
2. In the search bar, type regedit, and then click on it.
3. Select "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE," and then click on "System."
4. Look for "Current Control Set," and then click on "Control."
5. Check if there is a key named "Storage Device Policies." If it exists, change the number in the "DWORD value" box to "0," and then click "OK" to save the changes.
Notice:
If a key named “Storage Device Policies” does not exist, you should create one.
- Right-click on "Control" and create a new key named "Storage Device Policies".
- Right-click on this new key, and create a new "DWORD Value" named "write protect".
- Double-click it, and change the DWORD value from "1" to "0".
After doing this, you can close the Registry Editor, eject your SD card, and restart your computer. After that, restart your PC again and reconnect the SD card to see if it works.
If not, no problem; you can use a tool like Partition Master, as shown above, to format it for reuse.
Additional tip: How to wipe and reset a write-protected SD card to its factory settings
Note: If you choose to reset your read-only SD card to its factory settings, back up any important content to an external device or safe location first.
Then, you can use the free partition manager with wipe feature to completely erase SD card to factory settings.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Connect the external device to your computer. Right-click on it and select "Wipe Disk."
Step 2: Set the number of times you want to overwrite the data (up to 10 times). Then click "OK."
Step 3: Click Run 1 Task, and then click Apply.
Your SD card will now be formatted, and you can use it as new, storing whatever you like on it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Formatting a Write Protected SD Card with Software (UTF-8 Encoding) 1. **Q: What is a write protected SD card?** **A:** A write protected SD card has a physical switch set to the "write protect" position, preventing any modifications, deletions, or formatting of data. 2. **Q: Why is my SD card write protected?** **A:** Your SD card might be write protected due to: - The physical write protection switch being switched to the lock position. - A corrupted file system. - The impact of viruses or malware. - Issues with device drivers. 3. **Q: How can I check if my SD card is really write protected?** **A:** Try reading and writing data on different devices; if you can't write, it might be protected. Look for a physical write protection switch on the side of the SD card and verify its status. 4. **Q: Can I format a write protected SD card?** **A:** Usually not, but some special software allows formatting after removing the write protection or bypassing the restriction. 5. **Q: What software can format a write protected SD card?** **A:** Some common options include: - Built-in disk management tools in Windows. - Software recommended by the SD Card Association, like the SD Memory Card Formatter. - Third-party tools such as tools Partition Master, MiniTool Partition Wizard, etc. 6. **Q: How do I format a write protected SD card using software?** **A:** Generally: - Connect the SD card to your computer. - Download and install an appropriate formatting tool. - Launch the software, select the SD card, and disable write protection (if the option is available). - Choose a file system (like FAT32, NTFS, etc.) and formatting options. - Start the formatting process. 7. **Q: Will formatting delete all data?** **A:** Yes, formatting will erase all data from the SD card. Make sure to back up important files before formatting. 8. **Q: What should I do if software methods don't work?** **A:** Try these steps: - Check and fix the physical write protection switch on the SD card. - Scan and remove viruses with antivirus software. - Update your device drivers. - If none of these work, consider professional inspection or replacement of the SD card. 9. **Q: What if the SD card is still not usable after formatting?** **A:** It could be damaged. Try using a data recovery tool to retrieve data, then reformat, or consider purchasing a new SD card. 10. **Q: How can I prevent write protection issues in the future?** **A:** Regularly update device drivers, keep antivirus software up to date, handle the physical write protection switch carefully, and back up important data consistently.
On this page, we've gathered the best write protection removal tools and the best write protected SD card formatting software to help you completely remove write protection from your SD card.
If you're familiar with Windows computers, you can try the manual method outlined in the second section below. If you still need help removing the write protection from your SD card, keep reading.
1. How to format a protected SD card?
To format a write-protected SD card, you should first remove the write protection from the SD card using a write protection removal tool or a manual method.
After that, you can right-click the SD card in File Explorer or Disk Management and choose “Format.” From there, you can set a new file system for the SD card and confirm that you want to format it.
How do I remove write protection from an SD card?
To remove the write protection from your SD card, you can use a third-party write protection removal tool, such as the recommended Windows CleanGenius. Alternatively, you can try running CMD (Command Prompt) or the Registry Editor to get rid of the write protection.
How to format a protected SD card using CMD?
To format a protected SD card using CMD, you can try the following methods:
- Connect the SD card to your computer.
Open Command Prompt and type diskpart, then press Enter.
Enter the following commands one by one, followed by Enter:
list disk
select disk * (Replace * with the disk number of your SD card.)
attributes disk clear readonly
Type list volume and press Enter.
Type select volume *, replacing * with the volume number of your SD card.
Type format fs=fat32 or fs=ntfs quick, then press Enter.
Close the Disk Management window, and you've reformatted your write-protected SD card through CMD.