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How to remove write protection from USB drive
How to remove write protection from a write protected USB flash drive:
Six days ago, My Kingston USB Flash Drive got Write Protected, And I couldnt write files to it, nor could I delete any files, nor could I format my USB drive.
I spent hours and hours searching on google for a solution, then on a forum, I finnally found a guide that worked for me 
(Hurray !)
Well, this guide includes edits in windows registry, but its very easy.
Here is the guide :
- Start Menu -> Run -> type ‘regedit’ (without the quotes) -> Hit Enter !
- Now take a backup of your registry, incase something goes wrong:
Right Click on ‘My Computer’ -> ‘Export’ > save it on the Desktop. - Now Browse through these tabs:
My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies - Double click on the string ‘WriteProtect’ and change the ‘Value Data’ box to ‘0’
- On Toolbar, Click on File -> Export -> Save it anywhere with any name like ‘WriteProtection01.reg’ or anything.
- You need to repeat the step 3 - step 5 with every string on folder named ‘ControlSet***’ (* = any Digit, i.e. 001, 002) - that is, instead of currentcontrolset, repeat the steps for folders controlset***
For Example :
My Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
- Again export it on same directory as before, named as ‘WriteProtection0**.reg’
Note : These exports are just incase you need to revert the changes in your registry, to revert, just double click on the *.reg file, and click yes when it prompts.
This method worked for me, post your results in your comments, or if you know another alternative to this method, dont forget to share it with us.
Posted on Jul 20, 2008 at 14:31:30
couldn’t find storagedevicepolicies with Windows XP
Posted on Jul 31, 2008 at 10:59:53
tnx a lot … !! it is truly works !!
Posted on Aug 20, 2008 at 13:26:28
can not find storagedevicepolicies with Windows XP
any help would really be appreactiated tyvm:)
Posted on Sep 11, 2008 at 12:14:40
couldn’t find storagedevicepolicies with Windows XP
Posted on Sep 16, 2008 at 14:58:32
it really works..thnx…wheeeew!!!
Posted on Oct 15, 2008 at 17:51:28
cant get through third step.cant find storage device policies. help pls.
Posted on Oct 23, 2008 at 06:28:11
Hello.. I counld not find the Storage Device Policies.. reply asap.. thanks
Posted on Nov 18, 2008 at 11:31:48
Try fixin’ it on windows vista
Posted on Nov 21, 2008 at 23:52:56
this is too complicated..one thing you could try is to find a little switch on the side of you USB and try to slide it the opposite direction to unlock. This worked for me. good luck.
Posted on Nov 22, 2008 at 23:28:37
thaaaaaaaaaaaaankksssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss man i thought at first that my USB broke, and was abt to throw it, but ya saved meeeeeeeeeeeee man thnxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted on Dec 5, 2008 at 20:37:31
Cant find the Storage device policies.
Please help,
Thx
Posted on Dec 6, 2008 at 06:23:40
followed all the steps through and it did not fix my issue w/ my ex hd. thanx neway.
Posted on Dec 9, 2008 at 22:15:31
I have Vista and after a year of no problems with my USB drive, suddenly I couldn’t write, edit or format my USB drive. I spent hours trying various regedit fixes, unsuccessfully. Your fix worked in a minute! Thank you very much!
Posted on Dec 15, 2008 at 13:43:36
cant find storage device policies