In our digital age, data security, and integrity are of paramount importance. As we store increasing amounts of information on various disks, there arises a need to control the accessibility and modifiability of this data. But did you know that there’s an inherent feature within Windows that allows you to transform any disk into a ‘read-only’ mode? By doing so, you create a protective layer, granting users the capability to view the contents but restricting any modifications to the files contained within. Additionally, if you’ve ever been apprehensive about accidentally formatting a disk and losing invaluable data, this feature comes as a respite. This post is designed to be your comprehensive guide in navigating this realm of disk protection. And the icing on the cake? There’s no dependency on third-party software; Windows inherently provides all the tools you need. Join us as we unveil the intricacies of setting or removing the read-only attribute for disks on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7, ensuring your data remains untampered and secure.
Why do you need to set a Disk as a Read-Only Mode?
If you’re sharing your computer, external hard drive, or USB flash drive with friends or colleagues, consider setting the drive or partition containing crucial data to read-only. Once you’ve applied the read-only or write-protect settings, neither you nor anyone else will be able to delete or format any volume or drive. By setting your storage device to read-only, you not only safeguard your data, but also ensure that potential threats, like viruses, can’t compromise it. Anyone can access and read the file on the hard drive, USB device, or partition, but modifications will be restricted.
How to Set a Disk Read-Only or Write-Protect in Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7?
Use the following steps to set a Disk as read-only or write-protect on a Windows computer:-
Step 1: First, open the elevated Command Prompt on your computer.
For that, press Windows Logo + R to bring up the “Run” dialogue box. To launch the command prompt as an administrator, type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
If the User Account Control (UAC) dialogue box appears, select Yes to proceed.
Step 2: Type the following in the Command Prompt Window and press Enter:-
diskpart
Step 3: Now, type the following in the DISKPART prompt window and press Enter:-
list disk
When you run the aforementioned command, all of the internal and external discs connected to your computer will be listed.
Step 4: Write down the disc number you want to mark as read-only or write-protected. Now, type the following command into the keyboard and press Enter to run it:-
select disk disk-number
Note: In the above command, replace the “disk-number” with your own disk number, which you want to make write protect or read-only. For instance, we are going to make write-protect or read-only to disk 1. Hence, here command will be “select disk 1.”
Step 5: To make it write-protected or read-only, input the following and press Enter on the keyboard. –
attributes disk set readonly
Step 6: Now, a message will show up on your screen that says, “Disk attributes set successfully.”
You won’t be able to remove or change any files on that volume after completing the aforementioned steps. You cannot even format them. You will encounter the “The disc is write-protected” message if you attempt to format that disc.
How to Remove Read-Only or Write Protect Mode from a Disk in Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7?
Use the following steps to remove read-only or write-protection from a disk in a Windows computer:-
Step 1: First, open the elevated Command Prompt on your computer.
For that, press Windows Logo + R to bring up the “Run” dialogue box. To launch the command prompt as an administrator, type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
If the User Account Control (UAC) dialogue box appears, select Yes to proceed.
Step 2: Type the following in the Command Prompt Window and press Enter:-
diskpart
Step 3: Now, type the following in the DISKPART prompt window and press Enter:-
list disk
When you run the aforementioned command, all of the internal and external discs connected to your computer will be listed.
Step 4: Write down the disc number that you want to mark as read-only or write-protected. Now, type the following command into the keyboard and press Enter to run it:-
select disk disk-number
Note: To create a disc number, write-protected or read-only, substitute your own disc number for “disk-number” in the script above. For instance, we’ll make disc 1 read-only or write-protected. I shall thus issue the command “select disc 1.”
Step 5: To remove or clear its write-protection or read-only, type the following and press Enter on the keyboard. –
attributes disk clear readonly
Step 6: “Disk characteristics removed successfully” will be displayed on the DISKPART prompt.
The selected external hard drive or USB flash drive will no longer be in read-only or write-protection mode once you’ve finished the above procedures. You can edit, remove, or format the external disc as necessary.
Conclusion
In the digital age, where safeguarding our data has become paramount, the ability to control how our stored information is accessed and modified is a crucial feature. Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 provide users with the flexibility to set their disks in read-only mode, offering an added layer of protection against unintentional modifications or potential threats. This ensures that the content can be accessed, but modifications are restricted, an essential tool for those sharing devices or protecting sensitive data. Conversely, understanding how to deactivate this feature is equally valuable, allowing users to make necessary changes when required. This guide has endeavored to simplify the process of toggling between these modes, ensuring that every Windows user, regardless of their technical proficiency, can effectively manage their disk’s accessibility. Whether you’re looking to protect crucial data or restore full access to a disk, these steps serve as a comprehensive resource to navigate the read-only landscape on Windows.
