Flash drive will not let me erase files (became write protected)
- Thread starter cynicoren
- Start date
Solution
If you can reformat it, that's great. I'd recommend that you go for the NTFS file system isntead of FAT/FAT32, as it doesn't have the restrictions which FAT32 has. You can check out that link for reference: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421454,00.asp
edit: Looks like you've been given a suggestion while I was typing.
Please keep us posted.
edit: Looks like you've been given a suggestion while I was typing.
Please keep us posted.
on old flash drives i had there was a little switch that could lock and unlock the flashdrive. is that the case for you? have you tried reformatting the flashdrive(Thus permanently deleting everything on it)? what have you already tried?
Boogieman_WD
Judicious
- Jul 31, 2014
- 6,050
- 2
- 35,960
Hey there, cynicoren.
There are a few things you could try in order to remove the write protection. First, I'd recommend that you try the flash drive with a different computer/device, to see if the issue reoccurs. Try reformatting it with another computer. If that doesn't help you could try formatting it with one of the format tools/utilities, which some manufacturers offer for their flash drives and memory cards.
Other than that, take a look at @tjeulink's suggestion about the small switch and if that doesn't prove to be the case, check out this link for a possible solution: http://www.wikihow.com/Disable-Write-Protection
Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD
There are a few things you could try in order to remove the write protection. First, I'd recommend that you try the flash drive with a different computer/device, to see if the issue reoccurs. Try reformatting it with another computer. If that doesn't help you could try formatting it with one of the format tools/utilities, which some manufacturers offer for their flash drives and memory cards.
Other than that, take a look at @tjeulink's suggestion about the small switch and if that doesn't prove to be the case, check out this link for a possible solution: http://www.wikihow.com/Disable-Write-Protection
Hope that helps. Please let me know how everything goes.
Boogieman_WD
Neur0nauT
Admirable
- Dec 1, 2014
- 1,526
- 1
- 6,460
You can download this program: http://www.rmprepusb.com/ It will allow you to reformat and prepare any USB drive however you wish...including removing write protection and partitioning.
Here is a tutorial on fixing your issue from the same website: http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/54---how-to-fix-write-protected-disks
Here is a tutorial on fixing your issue from the same website: http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/54---how-to-fix-write-protected-disks
FAT32 is fine unless you wan to put large files on it (bigger than 4gb). but remember that this completely wipes everything on that storage device, so get copies of the files you dont want to destroy.
if you want to store files larger than 4 gb you should use NTFS
Boogieman_WD
Judicious
- Jul 31, 2014
- 6,050
- 2
- 35,960
If you can reformat it, that's great. I'd recommend that you go for the NTFS file system isntead of FAT/FAT32, as it doesn't have the restrictions which FAT32 has. You can check out that link for reference: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421454,00.asp
edit: Looks like you've been given a suggestion while I was typing.
Please keep us posted.
edit: Looks like you've been given a suggestion while I was typing.
Please keep us posted.
TRENDING THREADS
-
[SOLVED] Is it safe to use a recapped PSU for a long time ?- Started by zwtch_17
- Replies: 5
-
Discussion What's your favourite video game you've been playing?- Started by amdfangirl
- Replies: 3K
-
News Microsoft updates Windows 11 24H2 requirements, CPU must support SSE4.2 or the OS will not boot- Started by Admin
- Replies: 19
-
Question User RX 580 8gb red devil powercolor, asking original BIOS- Started by PizzaInGame
- Replies: 7
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram