Remove write protection


  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Remove write protection


    So my harddrive crashed, I replaced it with one from newegg.com however it had no operating system so I bought windows 10 at best buy, it comes on a 16gig usb 3.0 flash drive. I have it all running good it's just that I want to use this flash drive for personal things but I can't remove the write protection from it, I've tried multiple tutorials and how to videos with no luck. Im running windows 10 home edition, and I do have a laptop running linux mint if you know a Linux program that could handle it for me...thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #2

    I would keep that drive as it is, USB pendrives are cheap enough and you may need that one to reinstall/repair your windows.
    On the other hand, most Linux distros come with some kind of partition manager which should be able to erase any USB unless it has hardware lock.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 234
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #3

    That USB drive is physically write protected in the drive hardware itself. Nothing you do will unlock it. Its done that way to act more like a DVD, it cannot be infected by malware if it is inserted in an infected system.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I was afraid of that
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #5

    sixpounder08 said:
    So my harddrive crashed, I replaced it with one from newegg.com however it had no operating system so I bought windows 10 at best buy
    Why couldn't you just re-install the operating system that was on the computer before? If it was a legitimate upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7/8/8.1 that was on it before, the computer would have had a digital entitlement for Windows 10 stored on Microsoft activation servers and you could have installed Windows 10 again without buying anything.

    In the meantime, why mess up a Microsoft certified Windows 10 installation flash drive when you can buy a 16gb for $6?
    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpa...=960&keys=keys
      My Computer


 

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