This article explains how to remove write protection from a USB memory drive so that it can be formatted using a Windows computer or a Mac.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
Step 1. Check if the USB stick has a physical switch that turns write protection on and off
In this case, you will simply have to turn off the switch to be able to format the USB drive later. If the key does not have this protection system, continue reading.
Step 2. Plug the USB stick into a free USB port on your PC
Step 3. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + R
The Windows "Run" dialog will be displayed.
Step 4. Type diskpart command and click OK button
A Windows "Command Prompt" window will appear.
If the "User Account Control" program window appears, click on the button Yup in order to continue.
Step 5. Type the command list disk and press the Enter key
A list of all discs and USB memory drives connected to the computer will be displayed.
Step 6. Find the identification number of the USB stick in question
Each memory unit present is identified by a label that respects the following format "Disk 0", "Disk 1", "Disk 2", etc. To understand which USB drive to work on, refer to its size.
Step 7. Type the command Select Disk [number] and press the Enter key
Replace the parameter [number] with the identification number of the USB key in question (for example Select Disk 1). You will see a message similar to the following "The currently selected disk is disk [number]".
Step 8. Type the command attributes disk clear readonly and press the Enter key
This will remove the write protection from the selected USB stick. At the end of the procedure you will see a message appear that will inform you that the access attributes of the unit in question have been changed successfully.
Step 9. Type the clean command and press the Enter key
This will erase all data on the selected USB drive.
Step 10. Type the create partition primary command and press the Enter key
A new partition will be created which will allow you to format the drive. When you see the "DISKPART>" command prompt reappear, you can close the window by clicking on the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner.
Step 11. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E to open the "File Explorer" window
The list of all memory drives and root folders on the PC will be displayed.
Step 12. Scroll down the list in the sidebar on the left side of the window that appeared in order to select the USB key in question with the right mouse button
It should be placed at the bottom of the list. A context menu will be displayed.
Step 13. Click on the Format… item
A new dialog will appear that will allow you to format your chosen USB drive.
Step 14. Select one of the options listed in the "File system" drop-down menu
-
FAT:
is a file system format suitable for devices with a maximum memory capacity of 32GB. It is compatible with Windows and Mac systems;
-
NTFS:
it is a file system format suitable only for Windows systems;
-
exFAT:
is a file system format compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.
Step 15. Name the USB drive
Type it in the "Volume Label" text field.
Step 16. Click the Start button
It is located at the bottom of the window. A warning message will be displayed to remind you that the formatting process will erase all data on the USB stick.
Step 17. Click the OK button
This will start the USB drive formatting process which will take several minutes. When formatting is complete you will see a pop-up window appear.
Step 18. Click the OK button
The USB drive is now ready for use.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Check if the USB stick has a physical switch that turns write protection on and off
If this is the case, you will simply have to turn off the switch to be able to format the USB drive later. If the key does not have this protection system, continue reading.
Step 2. Plug the USB stick into a free USB port on your Mac
Step 3. Open a Finder window by clicking on the icon
It is displayed on the Mac Dock.
Step 4. Click on the Go menu
It is located at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Click on the Utility item
Step 6. Double-click the Disk Utility icon
It is characterized by a hard drive and a stethoscope.
Step 7. Click on the name of the USB drive
It is displayed inside the sidebar located on the left side of the window.
Step 8. Click the Initialize button
Step 9. Name the USB drive
This is the label that will be assigned to the device.
Step 10. Select a file system
Click on the "Format" drop-down menu, then select the file system you want from one of the following options:
-
Mac OS Extended (Journaled):
it is only compatible with Macs;
-
MS-DOS (FAT):
is a file system format suitable for devices with a maximum memory capacity of 32GB. It is compatible with Windows and Mac systems;
-
ExFAT:
It has no limits on the size of memory units and is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems.
Step 11. Click the Initialize button
The selected USB drive will be formatted.
Step 12. Click the Finish button
At this point the device is ready for use.
