Windows 10: External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection?

Discus and support External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection? in Windows 10 Network and Sharing to solve the problem; I have been using a Western Digital My Passport external USB 3.0 hard drive for years as a backup drive. My old computer died and I just replaced it.... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Network and Sharing' started by mgreen10, Nov 23, 2019.

  1. MGREEN10
    mgreen10 Win User

    External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection?


    I have been using a Western Digital My Passport external USB 3.0 hard drive for years as a backup drive. My old computer died and I just replaced it. Now when I plug in the external drive, I cannot write to it in any way, even just renaming a file. This error message is displayed when I try to copy a file to the drive: "The disk is write protected. Remove the write-protection or use another disk."


    If I right-click on any file or folder on the external drive and view its properties, the read-only box is checked. If I uncheck it and click Apply, this message appears: "An error occurred applying attributes to the file. The media is write-protected."


    I tried the external drive on another computer and it works fine. It is writeable.


    How can I remove the write protection on my computer?

    Thanks you!

    :)
     
    mgreen10, Nov 23, 2019
    #1
  2. FREEBIRD_9924
    freebird_9924 Win User
    freebird_9924, Nov 23, 2019
    #2
  3. GERMANALLENDE
    GermanAllende Win User
    How do you remove USB write protection

    Hi!

    My name is German, and I am here to help you.

    This option applies to disable and clear write protection on an internal or external hard drive, and it also works on SD or USB flash drive. Let's see how to use Diskpart command line fix this issue now:

    1. Press "Win + R" > Type: cmd and hit Enter to open "Command Prompt".

    2. Type: diskpart and hit Enter to open diskpart.

    3. Type: list disk and hit Enter.

    Remember the disk number of your write protected USB, SD or hard drive in Windows PC.

    4. Type: select disk 0 (0 is the number of your write protected USB/SD/hard drive) and hit Enter.

    5. Type: attributes disk clear readonly and hit Enter to disable write protection on the storage device.

    6. Close the diskpart window once the write protection removing process is finished.

    Any other questions I am at your disposal.

    Have a great day!

    External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection? e1d46e9e-9776-4c55-b211-e53878c057e9?upload=true.png
     
    GermanAllende, Nov 23, 2019
    #3
  4. GROM0X
    Grom0X Win User

    External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection?

    How to Remove Write-Protection from an OEM USB Drive?


    Please look at this Remove Write Protection from USB Drive in Windows 10/8/7
     
    Grom0X, Nov 23, 2019
    #4
Thema:

External USB hard drive is write-protected. How can I remove write protection?

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