This guide will show you how to write-protect your USB flash drive using two simple methods.
The first method doesn’t require any software, while the second involves using third-party software.
We’re demonstrating this on a Windows 11 device, but you can follow along on Windows 10, 8, or 7 as well.
What Are Benefits Of Read-Only Or Write-Protected Pen Drive?
From a privacy and security perspective, a write-protected USB drive offers two key benefits.
First, it prevents unauthorised formatting or data modification. This ensures that no one can alter, delete, or add files to your drive without disabling the write protection.
Second, when used on a malware-infected computer, the write protection blocks malicious software from spreading to write-protected pen drive, significantly reducing the risk of transferring viruses or other harmful programs.
Downsides Of Using DiskPart To Write Protect A Pendrive
Write protection is not a fully reliable solution, as setting a password is not part of USB write protection. Anyone with basic computer skills can easily disable or remove write protection.
Is There Any Risk of Data Loss?
The process of write-protecting a pen drive can be somewhat complicated. If you’re not careful, you could lose data not only from the USB drive but also from your local hard disk.
We recommend paying close attention to avoid potential data loss.
How To Use Diskpart To Enable Write Protection On USB Flash Drive?
Go to Start Menu and type CMD to search for command prompt.
In CMD, type Diskpart and hit Enter key to open the diskpart utility.
The next section may seem complex at first glance. However, by carefully following each step, you’ll find it’s quite straightforward.
In the Diskpart utility, enter ‘list disk’ and press Enter to view all connected storage devices.
Our PC currently has two storage devices: a local hard disk and a 29 GB USB flash drive. Our goal is to enable write protection for the USB flash drive.
Note that the pen drive is labelled as disk 1. In Diskpart, type ‘select disk 1’ and press Enter to choose the USB pen drive for the next step. Adjust this selection based on your specific disk number.
To write protect USB, in Diskpart, type attributes disk set readonly and press Enter key.
Your pen drive has become read-only or write protected. You can use attributes disk command to check if it is really write protected or not. In Diskpart, type attributes disk and press Enter.
After executing the ‘attributes disk’ command, you’ll receive a confirmation message. If ‘Yes’ appears next to ‘Read-only’, it indicates that the pen drive is write-protected.
You can remove the read-only status and enable write access to the disk by using the attributes disk clear readonly command.
Just type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter. This will make your pen drive writable.
Not Satisfied? Write Protect Pen Drive With Ntfs Drive Protection
If you find using Command Prompt complicated then there is a free to use piece of software named Ntfs Drive Protection through which you can write-protect your pendrive with a few clicks.
There is another reason to prefer NTFS Drive Protection over DiskPart. Apparently, you can not remove write protection without Ntfs Drive Protection. This third-party software is relatively easy and foolproof than the DiskPart option.
Download Ntfs Drive Protection
Download Ntfs Drive Protection from here.
How To Use Ntfs Drive Protection?
After download, Extract Ntfs Drive Protection.
Ntfs Drive Protection is a portable software. It can be used without installation.
One more important thing is that you will have to format the USB drive as NTFS. If your pen drive is formatted as NTFS to use then this tool will not work for you.
Connect the USB flash drive drive you want to write-protect.
Launch the NTFS Drive Protection tool.
In the program interface, select the drive letter of your connected USB drive from the drop-down menu.
You can enable a highly useful feature that lets you configure your flash drive in dual mode. This allows you to designate a specific folder as writable while keeping the rest of the drive protected from modifications.
Check “Unprotected Folders And Files List” option
Give a name to the unprotected folder and click on the “+” icon to make a new folder.
Finally, click “Start Protection” to enable write protection on your USB drive.
Disable Write Protection (When Needed)
To disable write protection, open NTFS Drive Protection, select your drive from the drop-down menu.
Click the “Stop Protection” button to remove write protection.
Final Words
We hope you found this guide both useful and informative, and that you appreciate the options available through Diskpart and third-party USB security tools.
As always, be cautious when enabling or disabling write protection to avoid potential data loss.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comment section below.
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