How to Remove Write Protection from a USB Drive and Format It Easily ?

How to Remove Write Protection from a USB Drive?

There are multiple ways to remove write protection from a USB drive. Below are the best solutions:

Can We Format a Write-Protected Pen Drive?

Yes, you can format a write-protected pen drive, but first, you need to remove the write protection. Write protection prevents any modifications, including formatting, copying, or deleting files. Let’s explore different methods to remove write protection and format your USB drive.

1. Check for Physical Lock Switch

Some USB drives have a physical write protection switch. Ensure that the switch is in the “OFF” position.

2. Remove Write Protection Using CMD (Command Prompt)

CMD can be used to disable and remove write protection from a usb drive:

1. Connect your USB drive to the computer.

2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

3. Type the following commands one by one:

   diskpart
   list disk
   select disk X (replace X with your USB drive number)
   attributes disk clear readonly
   exit

4. Close Command Prompt and try formatting your USB again.

3. Modify Windows Registry to Remove Write Protection

1. Press Win + R and type regedit, then hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies

3. Find WriteProtect, double-click it, change its value to 0, and click OK.

4. Restart your PC and try formatting the USB drive.

4. Use Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro Editions)

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Access

3. Locate “Removable Disks: Deny Write Access” and set it to Disabled.

4. Restart your PC and check if the issue is resolved.

5. Use Third-Party Write Protection Removal Tools

If manual methods fail, third-party tools like EaseUS Partition Master, HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, or Rufus can help remove write protection and format your USB drive.

How to Format a Write-Protected USB Drive Using CMD?

Once the write protection is removed, follow these steps to format your USB drive using Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Type:

   diskpart
   list disk
   select disk X (replace X with your USB number)
   clean
   create partition primary
   format fs=ntfs quick (or format fs=fat32 quick)
   exit

3. Your USB drive is now formatted.

How to Remove Write Protection from an HP Pen Drive?

For HP USB drives, try using the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool:

1. Download and install the tool.

2. Open it and select your HP USB drive.

3. Choose the file system (NTFS or FAT32) and format the drive.

4. This will remove write protection and allow normal use.

Can We Format a Write-Protected Pen Drive in Windows 10 & 11?

Yes, after removing write protection using the methods above, you can format your USB drive using File Explorer, Disk Management, or Command Prompt in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Final Thoughts

Write protection can be frustrating, but it can be removed using simple techniques like CMD, Registry Editor, or third-party tools. Once removed, formatting your USB drive is straightforward. Try these methods and restore your USB drive’s full functionality!

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