As soon as you stick your SD card into a computer, you’re disappointed by the error: “The disk is write-protected.” You can find your card, but you cannot use it.
So, what is write protection on an SD card, what causes it, and, most importantly, how to remove write protection from micro SD card or other card types. Later on, we’ll explain everything, including giving you 7 simple methods to remove write protection from SD card on Windows.
Part 1: What Is Write Protection on an SD Card?
So, you might want to have an idea about what is write protection on an SD card. Write protection on an SD card makes it read-only, so you can view and copy files but can’t change, delete, or add anything. This helps protect important data from being accidentally erased or changed, keeps files safe from viruses, and guarantees the data stays exactly as it was.
Part 2: Why Is My SD Card Suddenly Write-Protected?
Your SD card might suddenly display the “The disk is write-protected SD card” error because some cards have a small switch on the side to make it read-only. While other reasons could be:
- Operating system settings can set the card to read-only through file properties, command line tools, or disk utilities.
- Modifications in the group policy settings or Windows Registry might turn the card into read-only.
- Your phone or camera might have SD card write-protection in its settings.
- Malware or viruses may block writing to the card.
- A corrupted file system can cause the card to go into read-only mode.
- Worn-out cards near the end of their life may auto-lock to protect data.
Part 3: How to Recover Data From a Write-Protected SD Card?
You can’t access a card displaying the ‘The disk is write-protected SD card’ error. Also, if it’s become write-protected because of a corrupt file system, you might have to format it, which will wipe away all its data. In such a case, you need to employ a free data recovery tool to access its data and export it to a secure place.
4DDiG Data Recovery is a powerful tool to retrieve files from a read-only memory card. Some of its key feature include:
- A powerfully intuitive interface that is easy to grasp and navigate.
- Recovery of 2000+ file types from SD cards among numerous internal/external storage devices.
- Allows you to pick your chosen file types to get back and examine recovered data.
- Can retrieve files lost due to corruption, accidental removal, virus attacks, etc.
- Supports Windows and Mac users and offers 24/7 technical support.
Follow the instructions beneath to reclaim files from your inaccessible memory card with this tool:
Step 1: Connect the read-only SD card to a computer. Execute the recovery tool on the same computer. Pick your card when it’s detected by the tool.
Step 2: Choose your desired file types. Start the scan. Pause or stop it to input keywords, and adjust filters to find exact matches or preview recovered files.
Step 3: Once reclaimed, hit “Recover” to move the files to a secure place on your computer or cloud drive. With your data recovered, let’s find out how to unlock write-protected SD card on Windows.
Part 4: 7 Ways to Remove Write Protection From SD Card on Windows 11/10/8/7
Here’s how to remove write protection from micro SD card or other types of cards on Windows. Pick a method based on the reason why the card is read-only.
Fix 1: Check the Card for a Physical Lock
Some memory cards have a physical switch at the right or left side edge, which, if turned on, can make your card read-only. To remove write protection from SD card, slide the switch to the unlock position.
Fix 2: Use Diskpart to Clear Read-Only Attributes
But what if there’s no physical switch on your card? So, how to remove write protection on SD card without switch? Your SD card’s attributes might be set to read-only, which could be why you’re unable to write to it. Windows has an in-built utility like Diskpart for managing partitions, which you can employ to clear the read-only attributes. Here’s how to remove write protection on SD card without switch with Diskpart:
Step 1: Connect your SD card to your computer for access. Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Input the following commands one by one. Hit “Enter” after each one:
- diskpart
- list disk (This shows the list of all disks attached to your computer).
- select disk 1 (Replace 1 with the disk number of your SD card).
- attributes disk clear readonly (This clears the read-only attribute from the SD card).
Fix 3: Edit the Registry Editor
Write-protection could be activated in the Registry Editor, which might be the reason you can’t write to your memory card. Here’s how to unlock write-protected SD card by deactivating it in the Registry Editor:
Step 1: Type “regedit” in the Windows search field. Execute the Registry Editor.
Step 2: Head to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.” Then, choose “SYSTEM.” Tap “CurrentControlSet.’ Next, click “Control.”
Step 3: Open the “StorageDevicePolicies” key. Right-click the empty space. Tap “New.” Click “DWORD (32-bit) Value.” Name it “WriteProtect.”
Step 4: Double-tap the “WriteProtect” key. Set its “Value data” as 0.
Fix 4: Use a Third-Party SD Card Format Tool
Use a third-party SD card format tool like SD Memory Card Formatter if your memory card is write-protected because of file system corruption. Created by the SD Association, this tool can create a specific file system without touching the protected area on your card. Here’s how to remove write protection from micro SD card or any other cards with the SD Memory Card Formatter:
Step 1: Connect your read-only SD card to your computer for access. Download the SD Memory Card Formatter from the SD Association’s official site.
Step 2: Then, install and execute the tool on your computer. Pick your memory card.
Step 3: Tap “Quick format” or “Overwrite format.” Choose a “Volume label.” Hit “Format.”
Fix 5: Scan for Malware
If you’re used to plugging your SD card into shared or public computers, it could be infected with a virus. Malware can corrupt file systems or make the card unreadable, resulting in a write-protected SD card. Therefore, periodically scan your memory card with a strong anti-virus to remove trojans and malware.
Fix 6: Check Permissions
Your user account permissions might be set as read-only for SD cards. So, check the permissions. Here’s how to remove write protection on SD card without switch from your card’s “Properties:”
Step 1: Connect your read-only SD card to your computer for access. Open “File Explorer.” Right-click the read-only memory card. Choose “Properties.”
Step 2: In the “Security” tab, check whether “Write” permission is selected for “Everyone.” If it’s not, choose your user account.
Step 3: Tap “Edit.” Select “Add.” Then, input your user account name in “Enter the object names to select.” Hit “OK.” Make sure “Write” permission is checked.
Fix 7: Format the Card in Safe Mode
Formatting a write-protected SD card is not possible with the Windows built-in tool, unless you employ it in Safe Mode. This is because formatting means writing a new file system, which a read-only card would never allow. So, to bypass this, here’s how to unlock write-protected SD card by formatting it in Safe Mode:
Step 1: Type “msconfig” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “System Configuration.”
Step 2: In the “Boot” tab, check beneath the “Boot options.” Tick mark “Safe Mode.”
Step 3: Pick “Minimal.” Then, hit “OK.” Restart your computer. Boot into “Safe Mode.”
Step 4: Connect your read-only SD card to your computer for access. Type “cmd” in the Windows search field. Then, execute “Command Prompt.”
Step 5: Input the following commands one by one. Hit “Enter” after each one:
- diskpart
- list volume (This will list all the partitions on the computer; you need to identify the volume number of your SD card).
- select volume 1 (Replace 1 with the volume number of your memory card).
- format fs=FAT32 quick (This will formats the SD card to FAT32).
Step 6: Leave “Safe Mode.” Then, reboot your computer to Windows. Execute “System Configuration.” Untick “Safe Mode.” Restart the computer.
Final Thoughts
We’ve answered, “What is write protection on an SD card and how to remove it,” in this post to the best of our knowledge. A “write-protected” error on your SD card stops you from saving or changing files. This issue can be caused by a locked switch, system errors, wrong settings, or even malware.
However, there are several ways to fix it on Windows. But before you apply any solution to remove write protection from SD card, use 4DDiG Data Recovery to retrieve your data lest you lose it permanently.
