If you want to set the flash drive to read-only for everyone, in step 9, uncheck all boxes in the Allow column, except for the Read entry.

Verify if the USB flash drive lets you modify its contents now. If the USB flash drive is still read-only after checking the Allow checkbox in step 9, repeat the steps and check the checkbox for the Full Control entry. The security permissions may be set so that all users only have Read permissions to files on the flash drive.įollow the steps below to check if security permissions need to be changed. If using DiskPart, as detailed above, does not work to clear the read-only attribute of a USB flash drive, the security permissions may need to be changed.

When you are finished, type exit to quit the program.Ĭhange security permissions in flash drive properties.

Or, to set the read-only attribute (making the flash disk write-protected), use the command attributes disk set readonly.

To clear the read-only attribute (making the disk writable), use the command attributes disk clear readonly.

You can list the attributes of the disk with the command attributes disk.

In this example, we want to work with disk 1, so the command is select disk 1.

Select your USB flash drive with the select disk command.

In this example, we know that Disk 1 is our USB flash drive because its size is 14 GB. Use the disk size to determine which one is your USB flash drive.

At the DISKPART> prompt, type list disk and press Enter.

If you receive a User Account Control prompt asking for permission to continue, click Yes.

Press Windows key+ R to open the Run box.

You can use the Windows DiskPart command-line utility to enable or disable read-only mode on your USB flash drive. Using DiskPart to change read-only settings This action effectively sets all files and the device to read-only mode. If your device has this switch, move it to the 'Lock' position. The write protection switch is useful for keeping the contents of your drive safe from malware when you need to view them on a public computer. Some USB flash drives have a write protection switch on the side or bottom.

Fix USB flash drive issues with chkdsk.

Change write protection through the Windows registry.

Change security permissions in flash drive properties.Using DiskPart to change read-only settings.

Diskpart windows 10