USB drives or memory cards are often used to carry important files and documents, but sometimes you may encounter a situation where you are unable to delete a file from your USB drive. One of the reasons for this could be that the file is write-protected. Write-protection is a security feature that prevents accidental deletion or modification of files and folders. However, if you want to delete a file that is write-protected, you need to follow certain methods. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the methods to delete write-protected files on USB drives.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

  • A computer running Windows OS (7/8/10)
  • A write-protected USB drive with the file(s) you want to delete
  • A USB port

What Requires Your Focus?

Before you start deleting write-protected files from your USB drive, it is important to understand that these methods can delete all of the data from your USB drive. Therefore, it is highly recommended to backup your important files before proceeding with any of the methods mentioned below.

Different Methods to Delete Write-Protected Files on USB

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

If you are familiar with Command Prompt, this method can be very effective in deleting write-protected files from your USB drive.

  1. Plug in your write-protected USB drive into your computer
  2. Click on the Start button and search for Command Prompt
  3. Right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator
  4. Type "diskpart" and press Enter
  5. Type "list volume" and press Enter
  6. Identify the volume number of your USB drive and type "select volume #", replacing "#" with the volume number of your USB drive
  7. Type "attributes disk clear readonly" and press Enter
  8. Type "exit" and press Enter
  9. Type "exit" again and press Enter to close the Command Prompt window
  10. You can now try deleting the write-protected file(s) from your USB drive

Pros:

  • Reliable way to remove write-protection on a USB drive
  • No need for third-party software

Cons:

  • Requires the use of Command Prompt
  • Can be complicated for those not familiar with Command Prompt

Method 2: Using Regedit

This method involves modifying the Windows Registry to remove the write-protection from your USB drive.

  1. Plug in your write-protected USB drive into your computer
  2. Click on the Start button and search for Regedit
  3. Click on the Regedit result to open Registry Editor
  4. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies"
  5. Right-click on "WriteProtect" in the right pane and select Modify
  6. Change the value data to "0" and click OK
  7. Exit Registry Editor and restart your computer
  8. You can now try deleting the write-protected file(s) from your USB drive

Pros:

  • Effective method to remove write-protection on a USB drive
  • Does not require third-party software

Cons:

  • Requires modification of Windows Registry, which can be risky if not done correctly
  • A reboot of your computer is required after making the changes in the registry

Method 3: Via Third-Party Software

There are various third-party software available that can remove write-protection from your USB drive.

  1. Download and install a third-party software of your choice (for example: AnyBurn, AOMEI Partition Assistant)
  2. Plug in your write-protected USB drive into your computer
  3. Launch the third-party software and select your USB drive
  4. Follow the software instructions to remove write-protection from your USB drive
  5. You can now try deleting the write-protected file(s) from your USB drive

Pros:

  • Easy and convenient method to remove write-protection from your USB drive
  • Does not require any technical knowledge

Cons:

  • Requires the download and installation of third-party software
  • Some software may not be free

Method 4: Using Lock Switch on USB Drive

Some USB drives come with an in-built lock switch that can be used to toggle write-protection on and off.

  1. Locate the lock switch on your USB drive
  2. If the lock switch is in the unlocked position, move it to the locked position
  3. Try deleting the write-protected file(s) from your USB drive
  4. If you want to use the USB drive again, move the lock switch to the unlocked position

Pros:

  • The easiest method to remove the write-protection on your USB drive

Cons:

  • May not be available on all USB drives
  • There is a risk of accidentally moving the lock switch to the wrong position, causing data loss

Method 5: Formatting the USB Drive

This method should only be attempted if the data on the USB drive is not important and can be deleted.

  1. If your write-protected USB drive has important data, backup your data
  2. Plug in your write-protected USB drive into your computer
  3. Right-click on your USB drive and select Format
  4. Set the File system to NTFS (if using on Windows) or exFAT (if using on both Windows and macOS)
  5. Uncheck the Quick Format box
  6. Click Start and wait for the process to complete
  7. You can now attempt to copy or delete files on your USB drive

Pros:

  • Effective method to remove write-protection on a USB drive
  • Can be used to remove all file from the USB drive

Cons:

  • Will erase all data from your USB drive
  • Requires backing up important data before formatting

Why Can’t I Delete Write Protected Files on USB?

There could be various reasons why you are unable to delete write-protected files on your USB drive:

1. USB drive has hardware write-protection switch turned on:

Some USB drives have a small switch on the side or bottom that can be toggled to enable or disable write-protection. If this switch is in the locked position, you cannot modify or delete files on the USB drive.

Fix:

Unlock the switch to disable write-protection on the USB drive.

2. The file(s) or folder(s) on the USB drive are write-protected:

The files or folders on the USB drive may be write-protected, which prevents them from being deleted or modified. This can happen if the file(s) were saved on another computer that had enabled write-protection on them.

Fix:

Disable write-protection on the files or folders.

3. Windows registry has enabled write-protection on the USB drive:

Windows registry may have been modified to enable write-protection on your USB drive. This can happen if a system administrator has enabled this feature to prevent unauthorized access to USB drives.

Fix:

You can modify the registry to disable write-protection on the USB drive.

Implications and Recommendations

Deleting write-protected files from a USB drive may be necessary in certain situations; however, it is important to be cautious when using any of the above methods. Before attempting to delete any files, it is highly recommended to backup important data on the USB drive. Additionally, formatting the USB drive will erase all data from it, so that should only be done if you have no other choice.

Here are some recommendations to help you avoid encountering write-protection issues in the future:

  • Never unplug a USB drive while data is being transferred or while a file is open
  • Avoid using public computers or laptops to save important files on USB drives, as these computers may be infected with malware or have other security risks
  • Always safely eject your USB drive before unplugging it from your computer or laptop
  • Use a good quality USB drive that is reliable and fast

5 FAQs about How to Delete Write-Protected Files on USB

Q1: How do I know if my USB drive is write-protected?

A: If you try to copy or delete a file on a USB drive and the computer displays an error message saying the drive is write-protected, it means your USB drive is write-protected.

Q2: Can I turn write-protection on and off on my USB drive?

A: Yes, if your USB drive has a switch on the side or bottom, you can toggle it to enable or disable write-protection.

Q3: Can write-protected files be accessed and viewed?

A: Yes, write-protected files can be accessed and viewed, but they cannot be modified or deleted.

Q4: What should I do if none of the methods work?

A: If none of the methods work and you still cannot delete write-protected files from your USB drive, it may be time to consider purchasing a new USB drive.

Q5: Can I use any file system for my USB drive?

A: No, you should choose the appropriate file system for your USB drive depending on the platform(s) you will be using it on. If you will only be using it on a Windows computer, NTFS is the best file system. If you will be using it on both Windows and macOS, exFAT is recommended.

Final Words

Deleting write-protected files from a USB drive may seem daunting at first, but with the methods detailed above, you should be able to remove write-protection and delete your files with ease. It is important to ensure that you have a backup of your important files before proceeding with any of the methods mentioned above. It is equally important to follow all instructions carefully to avoid any potential risks.

Similar Posts