Write protection on USB drives can be a frustrating issue, especially when you need to access or modify the files stored on them. While there are several methods to remove write protection in normal mode, sometimes the issue persists even in Safe Mode. In this article, we’ll explore a step-by-step guide on how to remove write protection from your USB drive using Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Preparing for Safe Mode
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
A USB drive that is write-protected
A laptop or computer with Windows installed
To enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt, follow these steps:
Insert your USB drive into your laptop or computer.
Turn on your laptop or computer and immediately start pressing the F8 key.
The Advanced Boot Options screen will appear. Select Safe Mode with Command Prompt and press Enter.
Using Diskpart to Remove Write Protection
Once you’re in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, you can use the Diskpart utility to remove write protection from your USB drive. Here’s how:
In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter.
Type list disk and press Enter to view the available disks.
Type select disk [number], replacing [number] with the number of your USB drive, and press Enter.
Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter to clear the read-only attribute of your USB drive.
Type exit to quit Diskpart.
After completing these steps, your USB drive should no longer be write-protected. You can now exit Safe Mode and access your files as usual.
It’s important to note that this method will remove write protection from your USB drive, but it won’t format the drive or erase any existing data. If you need to format your drive for any reason, make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
In conclusion, removing write protection from your USB drive using Safe Mode with Command Prompt is a reliable and effective method. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly resolve the issue and regain access to your files.