Hello @ctslive, and welcome to Ten Forums.

Access to removable disks is enabled by default.

The group policy is normally used for disabling access by adding the key and Deny_Write DWORD value set to 1.

Deleting the DWORD is the same as setting the group policy to "Not Configured" which will allow access again.


You have a different situation with a write protected error though. If the USB drive is failing, it can be write protected in an attempt to prevent data loss allowing you to copy the data to another drive before the drive completely fails. You might check using the tutorial below for now to see if it may help.

Enable or Disable Disk Write Protection in Windows

@Brink

Dell Latitude 7270 - IT has the problem.
Dell Inspiron 5551 - It DOESN'T have the problem.

All my SDHC cards work in the Inspiron.
Today I reinstalled/updated the Latitude using a card I made on the Inspiron.
The Latitude can READ all my cards, but reports each is "Write Protected" when attempting to Format or Crate Install disks.

I've tried every solution on the Internet. None succeed.

It isn't the SDHC cards.
It isn't the OS.

That only leaves the machine, right?

dbreed53 said:

@Brink

Dell Latitude 7270 - IT has the problem.
Dell Inspiron 5551 - It DOESN'T have the problem.

All my SDHC cards work in the Inspiron.
Today I reinstalled/updated the Latitude using a card I made on the Inspiron.
The Latitude can READ all my cards, but reports each is "Write Protected" when attempting to Format or Crate Install disks.

I've tried every solution on the Internet. None succeed.

It isn't the SDHC cards.
It isn't the OS.

That only leaves the machine, right?

Hello mate,

You might also check the tutorial below to see if anything may be related.

Enable or Disable Disk Write Protection in Windows

Diskpart - Reports success EXCEPT on Format. Format Fails. Delete Partition fails.
RegEdit - Key didn't exist. I made the key - Rebooted. Still can't format.
AOEMI - fails to format or create/delete partition.
EaseUS - fails to format or create/delete partition.
GPEDIT - Left feature un-changed, it was already "Not Configured" so by default, write access was enabled.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Did it following TenForums tutorial. I created the install disk on the Inspiron, and it booted on the Latitude and performed the install. But the Latitude STILL can't Format the disk, Windows STILL reports the disk is Write Protected.

Each POSSIBLE solution has links to other POSSIBLE solutions, they are copies of each other without variation.
Each possibility has been tried. None work.

Fix 1. Remove Write Protection on Locked SD Card with Physical Switch - Switch NOT in Write-Protect position - Duh!
Fix 2. Remove Write Protection from SD Card with Anti-Virus Software - No Joy
Fix 3. Fix SD Card Write-Protected Error Using Write Protection Removal Tool - EaseUS & AOEMI failed
Fix 4. Manually Remove Write Protection from SD Card Using CMD Command - Each step reports success EXCEPT Format
Fix 5. Remove SD Card Write Protection Using Registry Editor - Key did not exist, I created the Key, rebooted, No Joy!
Fix 6. Unlock Write Protected SD Card with Decryption Software - Disks are not encrypted, they work in other machines

The disks are fine in any other machine, just not the Latitude.

- - - Updated - - -

AdwCleaner[C00].txt
AdwCleaner[S00].txt
AdwCleaner_Debug.log

Here are the logs of a scan of the disk.

- - - Updated - - -

It was one simple switch in the BIOS.
System Configuration\Miscellaneous Devices\
On this page there are 3 options, one is:

Secure Digital (SD) Card Read-Only Mode.
It was checked, active.
I unchecked it.
Rebooted, opened File Explorer, selected the SDCARD, Right-clicked, selected format, accepted what I saw, & hit format.
It Formatted. No "Write Protected" error.

dbreed53 said:

It was one simple switch in the BIOS.
System Configuration\Miscellaneous Devices\
On this page there are 3 options, one is:

Secure Digital (SD) Card Read-Only Mode.
It was checked, active.
I unchecked it.
Rebooted, opened File Explorer, selected the SDCARD, Right-clicked, selected format, accepted what I saw, & hit format.
It Formatted. No "Write Protected" error.

Great news.

Thank you for posting back with your findings.