Clear hard drive how to#

On some drives, the write protection is configured using the mass storage controller chip firmware. The answer depends on how the write protection on your USB drive is set up. Protecting important files (like legal document backups or private crypto keys) from being deleted or stolen.Ĭan I Remove Write Protection from a USB Drive?.

Preventing proprietary corporate files from being distributed or modified.Protecting the drive from malware or viruses.Why would you want to prevent your storage device from doing those things? It turns out there are actually some pretty good reasons, including: That means no adding files, deleting files, copying files, editing files - you get the idea. While the drive is in this mode, a user can access files, but can't modify them. Write protection mode is a hardware or software feature that prevents the files on a USB drive from being removed, copied or altered.

What Is Write Protection on a USB Flash Drive?

Clear hard drive how to#

Then, we'll show you six easy potential options for how to remove write protection on a USB. However, if you know how write protection works, you might actually be able to remove it! Let's learn a little about this flash drive feature and why it exists. You could grab another flash drive, especially if you've got plenty of bulk USB drives on hand. In terms of frustrating tech error messages, 'This drive is write protected' is right up there with the infamous ' PC LOAD LETTER.' You're just trying to save some files, and suddenly your USB drive is giving you an attitude?