As far as I can tell, there isn't a switch or button on the flash drive. I've tried using disk part too and that hasn't helped. Is there a software that would allow me just to wipe it and, if needed, reinstall the software it needs to run.
Fixing a Corrupted Flash Drive
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Anonymous
I have a flash drive that recently got corrupted when I tried to retrieve old family pictures from a virus ridden computer. The flash drive shows up when it's plugged in but the files can't be viewed and it constantly prompts me to format it. I've tried that but then it says it's write protected. I've tried some methods like using reg edit and cmd to remove the write protect, to no avail. I don't need any of the files on it, it's just antivirus installers and etc., so I want to know how to fix it. I don't know much about how flash drives work but I think it needs to be wiped and have the software reinstalled. I also don't know if this is the right place to ask but I figured, why not.
Windows for home | Other | Security and privacy
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Anonymous
2016-05-27T01:59:20+00:00 -
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Reza-Ameri 45,891 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2016-05-23T15:01:46+00:00 Some USB drive, might have a physical key and if you turn it off or on, they will enable/disable read-only mode, check and see whether your device has such a feature or not.
Are you able to format it in different PC?
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Anonymous
2016-05-23T00:03:00+00:00 That doesn't work because it says that I need to format the drive before I can do that but I can't format it because of the write protection, probably because the drive and its files are corrupted.
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Reza-Ameri 45,891 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2016-05-21T17:36:24+00:00 Try scan your Flash Drive using Anti-Virus software and also try run file check scan on it. You may right click on the USB and in Properties->Tools->Check disk and run it.