I wrote a Chromium OS image to my 4GB HP USB flash drive with Win32 Disk Imager. But now I cannot reformat my USB flash drive. It tells me that the USB flash drive is write-protected. And there is no physical switch. I have tried some methods, like disk management, diskpart, and Disk Storage Format Tool. But all of that did not work. How should I remove the HP USB flash drive from write protection? Help.
Your HP USB flash drive has been write-protected, which means you can't modify or delete any data on it. To fix this, you'll need to remove the write protection, and then you can reformat the drive.
If your USB flash drive doesn't have a physical write-protect switch, there are still ways to prevent data from being written to it. First, ensure that the drive doesn't have a hidden switch. If it doesn't, you can try using a write-protect utility or software to lock the drive in read-only mode. Some operating systems, like Windows, also have built-in features to prevent data from being written to a USB drive.
Firstly, you can remove disk write protection using the registry editor.
The Registry Editor can be used to fix write-protected errors on USB flash drives, SD cards, and external HDD or SSDs, but it's a complex procedure that requires caution, as incorrect registry modifications can lead to further issues.
Here are the steps to take care of your computer with the method you mentioned:
Step 1. Connect your HP USB flash drive to the PC.
Step 2. To open the Registry Editor, press the Windows key and the R key at the same time, which will open the Run box. Type "regedit" into the Run box and press Enter.
Step 3. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and expand the System.
Step 4. Select Current Control Set, and select Control.
Step 5. Check Storage Device Policies, change the DWORD value to 0, and select OK.
Step 6. Exit the Registry Editor, and then restart your PC.
Wait for some minutes. Then, check if your USB flash drive is accessible.
If you find the first method challenging, consider using Qiling Disk Master instead.
Compared to the first method, the second approach is more user-friendly, especially for those who are inexperienced. This third-party tool allows users to quickly and easily fix errors with just a few clicks, making it a convenient option.
Some steps for you are as follows:
Step 1. Download and install the Qiling Disk Master.
Step 2. Enter the Toolkit section, and click "Write Protection."
Step 3. Select your write-protected HP USB flash drive, and click "Disable."
It only takes three simple steps to remove the write protection from a USB flash drive, which can be achieved with the help of a software like Qiling Disk Master. This software provides additional functions beyond just removing write protection.
If you have other issues to fix in the future, the third-party tool is believed to be a good option for you. You can now try to remove the write protection for your HP USB flash drive, and then reformat it afterwards.