You have probably seen the following scenario in multiple thriller and spy movies; A spy connects an USB stick to a computer to copy data from the computer to the device. Movies do not necessarily reflect reality but there is some truth to this scenario after all. It is indeed possible to connect an USB device to a computer running Windows to copy data from that computer to the removable storage device.
It is sometimes in the best interest of companies, organizations and individuals to protect the data on their computer from being copied this way.
Microsoft has added options to the Windows operating system (more precisely to Windows XP and newer operating systems) to write protect all USB devices that are connected to it. This indicates that it may not always be possible to protect the computer this way, for instance if data needs to be written to USB devices regularly.
Write Protection adds another layer of defense to the computer. The system is not fool proof on its own, as it is still possible to copy data, for instance by uploading it to the Internet or a network connection.
Write Protecting USB Devices
You can enable or disable write protection of all USB devices that are connected to the Windows operating system. Both settings are configured in the Windows Registry. Here is how this is done.
Open the Windows Registry editor with the shortcut Windows-r, enter regedit into the form and press the return key on the keyboard.
Navigate to the following Registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
Please note that you may need to create the key StorageDevicePolicies if it does not exist. Select the key afterwards and right-click into the right window. Select New > Dword (32-bit) Value from the context menu and name the entry WriteProtect.
Double-click the new entry afterwards and change the value from 0 to 1. A value of 1 disables writing to all connected USB devices. If you want to enable writing again you need to change the value of the key to 0.
The new setting takes effect immediately. Every user who tries to copy data to USB devices with write protection enabled receives the following notification window.
It reads
Copy File
The disk is write-protected
Remove the write-protection or use another disk.
I have created two Registry files to enable or disable write protection. You can download a zip file that contains both files here: write protect
This way you can disable write protection with a click on a file, and enable it again when you have copied files to the USB device.



Made a tool in assembly to do this
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4653/blocker.png
http://whatsmypass.com/USBStopper.exe
thanks for that application..
my problem is my transcend 8gb flash drive is write protected
even though it does not have a switch for write protected and unprotected.
i tried to fiz the registry, the device manager, but it has no effect.
i tried transcend online format but it says that no flash drive detected.
any body can help me?
I tried this to disable write protection on my flash drive but it didn't work.
I followed all your instructions here, yet it didn't work. What do I do next?
Tried this but any little USB flash stick still says I need permission to write to it. Windows 7 Pro. Used to work and now simply doesn't. No AV or firewall (both off) and works fine on old Vista laptop. DiskPart did nothing. Formatted to NTFS so I could take ownership. Doesn't matter. I have no permission to any USB device I put in the USB port.
I cant find "StorageDevicePolicies"...im using xp 2005. any one ?
He mentioned you may need to create - the key - he did leave instructions on "How To" I just did it and I'm a 47 yr old female! :)
does it really matter that you're a 47 year old female ?
"Storage" and "Storage Device Policies" are the same bro....
I have tried to remove the write protection using windows and its not working? what next?
You guys would like to check out the solution given on this page. If this didn't work then your disk might be corrupted. This sounds hard but I fear that this might be the only reason. Mine Kingston DataTraveller also failed like this, so I am also in shock. Here is the link: http://techsalsa.com/solution-to-remove-write-protection-from-usb-pen-drive/
Hope this helps.
It worked in my office pc where writing to usb stick was disabled.
Thanks a Lot!!!!
hi dear thanks for suggestion for my problem
i am solve problem
tq, it worked, after 2 wks of search i finally got the ans, tq again
Thanks
I have 4 GB Sony pen drive usb 2.0. I try to open getting pop msg--> Do you want to formate. After formate again getting msg like --> The operation did not complete because the media WRITE PROTECTED. I try from Manage--> Disk Management also --> windows not succesfull formate... Its very challenging to us. could you plz help me on this.
Try using Diskpart:
open command prompt
Type ‘Diskpart’-> ‘list disk’ -> ‘select disk ‘
->’attributes disk clear readonly’ ->exit
Done!
for details, check:
tech-soln.blogspot.in/2013/02/how-to-enable-or-disable-write.html
Thank you so much! DiskPart worked whereas the registry mods didn't.
I think the problem is due to virus infection. If you tried all the above without success, just throw it away.
Please Help Me To Remove The Write Protection Of My Genx 32gb Flash Drive... Thanks
Thanks bro.......it works for me very well:D
i follow those above steps but still itis write protect only hoe to disable it help me
I tried that app but didn't work
you need to replug the usb device to make it work
Every trick didn't work bakwas:-)
peoples, you can resolve this if you put a windows cd-rom and put to format the Hard-Drive, in the list of hard drive you select the pen-drive write protec and format him, only format, dont instal nothing, or you can put to put windows in the usb and in the middle of instalation put out the usb, this will cause a corrupt usb, in a RAW format, now in the windows, enter in disk management and create a new simple volume ! its easy !! hugs !
thank u very much
May i know how to go to window registry?
I've just bought a new 8 GB pendrive, it works fine for the past 1 week. However, it's write protected now. I couldn't delete files in the pendrive nor copy new files into it.
I couldn't format the disk too.
I've downloaded UFIX, however, i couldn't execute the disk in control disk.
Please help to recover my pendrive, suggestion highly appreciated.
Thanks
nothing happen after i tried all the trick..please help me.
GREAT GREAT GREAT, THE GREATEST IDEA. THANKS A LOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
So Thanks
The Registry will not allow me to change the value from 1 to 0. I tried to do this via Group Policy which is how this has been implemented but it sill does not allow the read only registry section to be modified.
Hence only read access to any USB device is permitted as per policy.
Thnx alott guys...................it worked 4 me..................!
i just stole this Skyblue 8gb usb but its write protected...cant solve using u rec. help.....
Hey guys the low level format works try it
Thanx a lot.... It was resolved write protect issue of my Kingston 32GB pen drive. I have download that registry files and just run it. After that my issue was solved. Thanx again...... :)
THANK YOU!
In the regedit,
storage dive policies option is not available.
My new 16GB sandisk pendrive is having write protected problem.
If anyone could find a solution, please mail it to satishkmr@gmail.com
mine also cant find it bro T.T
THIS DOESN'T WORK !!
txh this solved my problem :)
didn't read the comments, but i downloaded the file and in the registry i changed value from 1 to 0, and worked perfectly
This works:
1. While no usb inserted, change the registry -> protect disable ->0
2. insert the SD card
3. Tested for sample file, it could be written.
Thanks for the tip.
p.s. I had to do this 2, 3 time to work out.
hey, i found nothing,,
i can't access "right click"
i can't access "run"
i can't access "task manager"
(try to hack Online game centre) :D
can you help me out?
Thanks a lot! Worked perfectly when I changed the value!
you can also enable write protection by cmd
for this run cmd as administrator then
type command
1- diskpart
2 - list disk
3 - select disk # | where # is the no of your flash drive say 1
4 - attributes disk set readonly | for removing write protection "attributes disk clear readonly"
5 -exit
now your flash drive is write protected for more detail watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw_qkW98Qqs
Brilliant. Thank you! thank you! thank you! Problem solved (SanDisk 32 GB)
strong stuff man,strong stuff,works perfectly!!!!
my mobile memory card (transcend 2GB) is write protected and i cant able to copy anything to it. I am using samsung mobile. I have checked many of the samsung users, all of their memory cards are write protected. Please provide me the solution to remove write protection.
Does it works for u friend
I have a SanDisk Flash and it has this problem too. but when I tried to unprotect as remembered above and also through StorageDevicePolicies . it is not worked so pleas help me.
thank you
Tried direction in Registry. No such command,
Tried your enable / disable ..... didn't work.
thanks for instructions
'm using window xp 2..can u help me on xp
the registry trick were work well on non error USB Fdisk, but my error one still can't solved. is it a must that i use the registry trick at computer where it caused my Fdisk Write protected??or just use any random computer??coz i found my Fdisk "write protected" after i copied a game from public internet service then the Fdisk turn "write protected" also the size of the file seems error
after tired to navigation HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
the StorageDevicePolicies navigation did not show my computer, then please say the solution
hello i cant find storage device policies in that box and i am facing still rite protection .how can i remove this from my sd card slot.i am using widows seven 64 bit operating system.pls can any one help me.
THANKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I LOVE ALL OF YOU. MY USB IS NOW FORMATTED AND everything is oko
please help me for same problem of pendrive.how to remove the write protection in pendrive.
Can't thank you enough. This works great!!
Thanks a lottt!!!
I tried all of the above tips and tricks but none work, have a 2TB external Samsung hdd and whether using cmd icacls, diskpart or even changing the value via regedit does not work, is this perhaps due to setting by my company? My hdd works fine on my personal laptop...
I'm sure there must be a way to overcome this situation and would appreciate someone expert advice on this...
Thanks...
I don't know if you are still looking but try this https://app.box.com/shared/9hgp81ndgs
Hey , I;d tried to change value 0 to 1 and vice versa but valve was unchanged
Hello, Is there any solutions aside from the registry. it didn't fix on me.
There is no any Folder in control Strorage devices Policies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies\WriteProtect.
I've changed the "WriteProtect" value to "0" ... but I still cannot copy file to my USb drive.
I used the same USB on other laptops, and I can copy.
Please advise. TQ
you r great man
its work
hi sir
i am using windos 7, 64 bit, i cretaed write protect in regedit but can't format my pendrive , please tell any other way to format
This work for me, after I tried almost everything !
Thanks to Kiwi who found this solution
download link: http://www.patriotmemory.com/partners/usb_restore/Restore.rar
from this forum
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/storage/3456666/how-format-write-protected-flash-drive/