» » How to Fix Read-Only Drives

How to Fix Read-Only Drives

1. Start Menu - All Programs - Accessories - Command Prompt - right-click - Run as Administrator...
2. When the command console opens, type DISKPART
3. List the drives by typing LIS DIS  
4. Select the USB drive by typing  SEL DIS 1         (if disk 1 is your USB drive)
5. Inspect the details for that disk by typing  DET DIS
    Check if the disk is marked as Read-only - e.g.

DISKPART> det dis

TOSHIBA MK2559GSXP USB Device
Disk ID: EF78DCD3
Type   : USB
Status : Online
Path   : 0
Target : 0
LUN ID : 0
Location Path : UNAVAILABLE
Current Read-only State : Yes
Read-only  : Yes                        < Yes = marked as r/o by OS (not physically write-protected), No = it is physically write-protected (if Current Read-only State = Yes)
Boot Disk  : No
Pagefile Disk  : No
Hibernation File Disk  : No
Crashdump Disk  : No
Clustered Disk  : No

  Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
  ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
  Volume 5     H   RMPARTUSB    NTFS   Partition    232 GB  Healthy

Note: It is also possible to mark a volume as readonly, so try  LIS VOL and SEL VOL F: (where F: is your USB drive letter) and then DET VOL to list the attributes.

If it says 'Read-only: NO' in Diskpart but shows as 'Read-Only' in Disk Manager, then the disk is probably physically write-protected (or perhaps write-protected by the firmware in the device's internal controller). In this case the following procedure will have little affect! You should look for a write-protect (aka 'Lock' or maybe a padlock symbol) switch on the device. If you are sure that none exists, consider re-programming the controller firmware.

6. Type ATT DIS CLEAR READONLY    to clear the ReadOnly attribute and then type DET DIS again to check it has been cleared.
 
This also changes the Windows Registry (on the system you are using) to set the device to a Read-Write status. The command will thus appear to work even if the USB disk is physically write-protected!

 (optional - if the drive still is Readonly try this) type CLEAN  to erase all contents from the drive  (make sure you have selected the correct drive!!!!!)

Note: To clear a Volume readonly attribute, use ATT VOL CLEAR READONLY



7. Finally type EXIT  to quit Diskpart


Some diskpart commands can be shortened to just the first 3 letters...

8. Now unplug the USB disk and re-insert it into the USB port.


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