How to remove Write Protection from USB

dadur604

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Aug 10, 2013
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I have a USB and need it but it says that it is write protected. I have tried formatting it, it says it is write protected. I have tried formatting in safe mode, same error. I have tried changing the registry, still doesnt work. I have also tried removing the "readonly" from it and formatting from cmd, DOESNT WORK! I need this USB and I dont want to go out to buy another one. I have nothing important on it, so tell me to do ANYTHING to get it to work. Please.
 

Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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open up regedit and and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies after clicking on StorageDevicePolicies look to the right you will see something called WriteProtection double click it change it from 1 to 0 click ok
Close Regedit and restart your computer and it should allow you to use your USB without the write protection message :)

NOTE: Always back up your registry before making changes to do this after locating HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies right click StorageDevicePolicies and click export a new window will appear give the file a name and save in a save it in a safe spot just in case you need to restore later
to restore go to where the file is saved and double click the file when it say do you really want to add this to the registry click yes :)
 

dadur604

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Amatex

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OK now since that didn't work lets try this go to my computer click on tools , folder options , uncheck 'use simple sharing file method'
then right click on your USB device and click on properties
go to security tab and you will see a list of usernames click your username and click edit a new window will appear with a list of users click add in the new window just type your name and click ok.
Back at the previous screen you will then see that name has been added to the list go down and check full control in the Allow section DO This for every username there is and click apply and ok and see if you can access your USB now :)
 

dadur604

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I think I may know why it is happening. I remember that a long time ago I had installed a locking software. I can't remember it; Looking on their site it was either EasyLock or V-Safe. I curruntly have no such program on my pc. Can that be the reason?
 

Amatex

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ok tools can be found when you open my computer in the menu top left menu or you can go to start type folder options in to the search box

I cant be certain as I'm unaware of what these programs are but you say you now have no such program on your computer so I'm guessing you deleted them so they shouldn't be a problem
 

Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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not a problem I just found out its called "Use Sharing Wizard" which is already unchecked.?

now thats looking good have you done my second solution "right click on your USB device and click on properties
go to security tab and you will see a list of usernames click your username and click edit a new window will appear with a list of users click add in the new window just type your name and click ok.
Back at the previous screen you will then see that name has been added to the list go down and check full control in the Allow section DO This for every username there is and click apply and ok".
 

Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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ok if none of the above has work
Lets go back to regedit and locate HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\
as we know StorageDevicePolicies is not there so lets see what happens when we create that key
first back up the Control key by right clicking control and clicking export and saving that reg file in a safe spot
now right click control again select new and click key
rename that new key StorageDevicePolicies then select that newly named key now go to the right panel while that key is selected right click anywhere select new>DWORD 32bit and name it WriteProtect
then click on WriteProtect and change the value to a 0 restart your computer and retry your usb, good luck
 

Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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ok one last thing you can try is this if you haven't already?

1. Start > search bar -> CMD right click CMD and select run as administrator.
2. type< diskpart Hit Enter
3. type< list disk Hit Enter
4. type< select disk # (# is the number of the USB HDD you’ve pluged in) (By the looks of you drive its drive I)
5. type< attributes disk clear readonly
 

Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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Amatex

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Dec 29, 2013
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Alright sorry I wasn't much Help

but before I go I have a couple of tips for you and no im not having a go at you its just some people might not take it a nicely as me
1. don't use abusive language if your helping someone im sure your dont want to see that
2.It pays sometimes to go over steps so dont get angry with people that are trying to help
3. Dont do massive spacing there is no need for it
good luck and have a nice day.