But did you know that most SD cards come with write protection capabilities? This is a feature that prevents users from accidentally or intentionally deleting or modifying the files stored on the card. However, sometimes you might need to remove this protection to perform certain actions, such as copying files or formatting the card.
In this article, we will show you how to remove protection from an SD card when it’s necessary.
Option 1: Use the physical lock switch
First things first, check if the SD card has a physical lock switch on its side. If it does, this is the easiest way to remove protection, as you only need to slide the switch to the unlocked position. Most SD cards have a small switch on the left or right side that will move up or down to indicate the lock or unlock position.
Option 2: Remove write protection via software
If your SD card doesn’t have a physical lock switch or the switch isn’t working, you can use software to remove write protection. Here are two ways to do this:
Option 2.1: Using Diskpart
Diskpart is a command-line tool that allows you to manage disks, partitions, and volumes in Windows. You can use it to remove the write protection feature from an SD card. Here’s how:
Step 1: Connect the locked SD card to your computer.
Step 2: Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R and typing in “cmd.”
Step 3: In the Command Prompt, type “diskpart” and press Enter.
Step 4: Type “list disk” and press Enter. This will display a list of drives connected to your computer.
Step 5: Find and select the SD card by typing “select disk x” where “x” is the number of your SD card.
Step 6: Type “attributes disk clear readonly” and press Enter. This will remove write protection from the SD card.
Step 7: Type “exit” and press Enter to close the Command Prompt.
Option 2.2: Using Regedit
Regedit is the Windows registry editor that allows you to modify system settings. Here’s how you can use it to remove write protection from an SD card:
Step 1: Insert the locked SD card into your computer.
Step 2: Press the Windows key + R and type in “regedit” to open the registry editor.
Step 3: Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies” by typing it into the address bar or by clicking through folders.
Step 4: Double-click on “WriteProtect” in the right-hand pane and change the value from “1” to “0.”
Step 5: Click “OK” to save the changes.
Step 6: Close the registry editor and restart your computer.
Removing write protection from an SD card is easy and straightforward, as you’ve seen. If you face any problems while trying these methods, try formatting the card. Formatting can remove write protection in some cases. However, keep in mind that formatting will erase all data on the card, so make sure to back up any important files before attempting this method.
In conclusion, write protection is a useful feature designed to protect important data from accidental deletion. However, if you need to edit the files or format the card, it can be a hindrance. By using the methods we have outlined, you can remove the write protection feature from your SD card quickly and easily, ensuring that it’s always ready when you need it.