[Resolved] Windows Cannot Perform Disk Check on This Volume as It Is Write-Protected

The error 'Windows cannot run Disk Checking on this Volume because it is Write Protected' occurs when your volume/disk is either damaged or has been attributed as Read-Only. CHKDSK is a command-line utility in Windows that enables you to scan for bad sectors on your volume and verify the integrity of system files stored on your drive.

Depending on the reason behind the "Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected" error, the solutions to resolve it can differ. Here are five potential fixes for the chkdsk write protected issue:

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Causes of the "Windows Cannot Run Disk Checking on This Volume Because It Is Write Protected" Error

chkdsk command. However, I got an error stating 'Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected.' Is there a solution to this problem? I'm using Windows 10 Professional."

Chkdsk is an integrated Check Disk utility in Windows designed to assist with fixing disk errors or startup problems. However, typically, when you execute 'chkdsk /r' through a Command Prompt following the message, 'Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically,' it may not function effectively and often results in an error message that says:

'The file system type is NTFS.
Cannot lock the current drive.
Windows cannot perform a disk check on this volume because it is write-protected.'

Why did you encounter this error message? Typically, there are two main reasons:

• The disk volume attribute is set to read-only.
• The file system of the partition is corrupted or damaged.

If you find yourself in either of the two scenarios where you can't run CHKDSK to check and fix your disk, don't fret. We'll guide you through effective methods to deal with the situation.

To re-enable chkdsk, you need to remove the write protection from your hard drive to消除 "Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected" error.

Solution 1: Remove Write Protection using 1-Click Write Protection Removal Software To resolve the write protection issue, you can utilize a user-friendly software tool specifically designed to remove write protection with just one click. This software simplifies the process and allows you to easily access and modify your files or storage device that was previously protected. Follow these steps: 1. **Download and Install**: First, download the 1-Click Write Protection Removal Software from a reliable source. Make sure to choose a trusted website to avoid any potential malware risks. 2. **Run the Software**: Once the download is complete, double-click on the installer to launch the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the application on your computer. 3. **Connect the Device**: Connect the write-protected storage device (such as a USB drive, SD card, or external hard drive) to your computer via an appropriate port. 4. **Launch the Tool**: Open the 1-Click Write Protection Removal Software from your applications list or desktop shortcut. 5. **Detect and Select**: The software should automatically detect the connected device. If not, navigate to the program's interface and manually select the write-protected device from the available options. 6. **Remove Write Protection**: Click on the "Remove Write Protection" or "Unlock" button provided in the software interface. The tool will then apply the necessary changes to remove the write protection. 7. **Verify**: After the process is completed, check if the write protection has been successfully removed by attempting to copy, delete, or modify files on the device. 8. **Save and Exit**: Save your changes and safely eject the device from your computer. Please note that the specific steps and user interface may vary depending on the software you choose. Always refer to the software's documentation or online support for detailed instructions.

< a href="/partition-manager/epm-pro.html">tools Partition Master< /a> offers a free feature that users can utilize effectively to remove the write protection status and restore normal functionality to their devices. This software provides a straightforward solution to remove write protection from your write-protected USB, external USB drive, or SD card with just a few clicks. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1. Download and install Partition Master. Go to the Toolkit section and click "Write Protection."

Click "Remove Write Protection"

Step 2. Select your write-protected USB, USB external disk or SD card, and click "Disable".

Click "Remove Write Protection"

This utility can also rectify issues such as "CHKDSK cannot run because the volume is in use by another process."

Solution 2: Remove Write Protection via Command Prompt

Step 1: Press the "Windows + X" keys to open the Power User menu.

Step 2. In the power users menu, choose the "Command Prompt (Admin)" option.

Step 3. Click "Yes" when you see a User Account Control (UAC) window asking for permission to launch the Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Step 4. In the new Command Prompt window, type chkdsk E: /f /r /x and hit "Enter". Make sure to replace "E" with the drive letter of your PC hard drive, SD card, or USB drive.

This command will unmount the disk, SD card, or USB drive and remove any write protection status on the device. As a result, you should be able to run CHKDSK again and no longer encounter the error message 'Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected.'

If this trick doesn’t work, don’t worry. There are other ways to remove write protection.

Solution 3: Remove Write Protection using Diskpart

Through Diskpart, you can remove the read-only attribute from your hard drive.

Step 1. Run "Command Prompt" as an administrator. Translation: Step 1. Open "Command Prompt" with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Type diskpart and click "Yes" when prompted with a User Account Control notification.

Step 3: Enter the following command in sequence:

list disk
select disk X (Replace "X" with the number of your write-protected hard drive.)
attributes disk clear readonly This is a command sequence in Disk Management for Windows: 1. **list disk**: This command displays all the available disks on your computer. 2. **select disk X**: Here, you need to replace "X" with the actual number of the write-protected hard drive that you want to modify. This command selects the specified hard drive for further operations. 3. **attributes disk clear readonly**: This command removes the read-only attribute from the selected hard drive, allowing you to write to it.

Step 4. If you receive the message "Disk attributes cleared successfully," type exit, then return to the CMD and run the chkdsk command. This time, you should be able to easily check and fix any disk errors.

If you're not a computing management professional and aren't familiar with command lines, don't worry. The tools R&D team has introduced a new kit to assist you in resolving write-protection issues on your hard drive, external hard drive, USB, or SD card, and other devices. You can simply refer to Solution 1 and use the tool Partition Master for assistance.

Solution 4: Clear Read-Only in Registry Editor

If Method 2 still doesn't work, don't worry. There's another method you can try.

Step 1: Simultaneously press "Windows + R" keys and type regedit in the Run dialog box. When the permission prompt appears, click "Yes."

Step 2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies.

Step 3: Locate the "WriteProtect" key, right-click on it, and set the value to "0".

Don't find "StorageDevicePolicies" in the specified path? Don't worry, just follow the steps below to accomplish the same objective.

Step 1. In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control.

Step 2: On the right pane, right-click in the empty space and select "New" > "Key." Name it as "StorageDevicePolicies."

Step 3: Ensure "StorageDevicePolicies" is selected. Proceed to the right pane, right-click, and opt for "DWORD (32-bit) Value."

Step 4. Enter the name as "WriteProtect" and set its value to "0".

Translation: "Fix for 'Windows cannot run disk checking due to write protection' - Registry Editor"

These are all the possible methods to解除对硬盘的写保护。在大多数情况下，使用上述方法之一可以帮助解决"Windows无法在此卷上运行磁盘检查，因为它受到写保护"的问题。如果尝试修复后问题仍然存在，你应该考虑是否由于文件系统错误或硬盘损坏导致chkdsk报告写保护。

Since methods to repair a corrupted hard drive without formatting have been discussed, here we will focus on solutions for a hard drive with file system errors. When your hard drive's file system becomes corrupted or damaged, you cannot access the data stored on it. In such situations, you might encounter an error message stating, "Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected." To restore your hard drive's functionality, you would typically need to format it, which involves assigning a new file system. However, formatting will erase all existing files on the disk, so it's advisable to recover your files beforehand.

Fix 5: Recover Files from Hard Drive If none of the previous solutions work, you might have lost some important files due to the hard drive issue. In this case, you can try using a file recovery tool to retrieve your files. There are several reliable options available, such as Recuva, tools Data Recovery Wizard, or Disk Drill. Here's a general guide on how to use these tools: 1. **Download and Install**: Visit the official website of the chosen file recovery software and download it to your computer. 2. **Launch the Software**: Double-click on the downloaded file to install and then open the application. 3. **Select the Drive**: Choose the hard drive from which you want to recover the files. If you're unsure which one it is, look for the drive with the most storage or the one that corresponds to the problematic partition. 4. **Scan the Drive**: Initiate a deep scan of the selected hard drive. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the drive. 5. **Preview and Recover Files**: Once the scan is complete, the software will display a list of recoverable files. Preview the files to ensure they are the ones you need, and then select them for recovery. 6. **Save to a Different Location**: Choose a different location on your computer or an external storage device to save the recovered files. Avoid saving them back to the same hard drive, as it could overwrite other lost data. Keep in mind that not all files may be recoverable, especially if the hard drive has suffered severe damage. However, these tools often have a high success rate in retrieving at least some of your files.

With the Data Recovery Wizard Pro, you can recover files from disks with file system issues such as disks turning RAW, missing file systems, and more. This professional software is capable of salvaging nearly all existing file types from a computer, external hard drive, USB, memory card, and more after deletion, formatting, or the file system becoming RAW, etc.

Step 6: Format the Volume

As you might be aware, there are various methods to format a hard drive. The simplest approach is:

Step 1. Go to "This PC".

Step 2: Locate and right-click on the problematic hard drive partition.

Step 3: Select "Format".

Step 4. Set the new file system and other options, then click "Start".

Conclusion

The reasons behind the "Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected" message are quite specific. Consequently, the solutions to rectify this error are straightforward, either by removing the write protection or addressing file system issues. Hopefully, one of the methods outlined above will effectively resolve the problem with your hard drive.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Windows Cannot Run Disk Checking on This Volume"

If you have more questions regarding Windows Disk Checking or CHKDSK on a locked drive, explore the following queries, and you might find that the answers to these questions might pique your interest.

1. How do you resolve the issue "Windows cannot run a check on this volume because it is write-protected"?

The fundamental cause of this error lies in the fact that the Windows disk checking command is prevented from executing because the target device is write-protected. To resolve this issue effectively, you should remove the write protection from your device.

There are 5 methods that can assist in unlocking a write-protected drive or device. For a comprehensive guide, refer back to the detailed steps of the 5 solutions provided on this page for guidance.

2. How do I remove write protection from a hard drive using the command prompt?

To remove the write protection from a hard drive using Command Prompt, carefully follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Step 2. Type diskpart in Command Prompt and press Enter.

Step 3. Click "Yes" to launch DiskPart.

Step 4. Type list volume, select volume X, attributes disk clear readonly, and press Enter after each one. (Replace X with the volume drive of your hard drive.)

3. How do I run chkdsk on a locked drive? To run chkdsk on a locked drive, you typically need administrative privileges. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Boot into Safe Mode:** - Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly during the boot process to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu. - Choose "Safe Mode with Networking" or "Safe Mode" if you don't need internet access. 2. **Open Command Prompt:** - Once in Safe Mode, click on the Start button, type "cmd" in the search bar, and press Enter. - This will open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 3. **Run chkdsk:** - In the Command Prompt, type `chkdsk /f /r /x [drive letter]:` and press Enter. Replace `[drive letter]` with the letter of the locked drive you want to scan (e.g., `chkdsk /f /r /x D:` for Drive D). - The `/f` switch tells chkdsk to fix any errors it finds. - The `/r` switch locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. - The `/x` switch forces the drive to dismount before running the scan, which is necessary if the drive is locked. 4. **Wait for the process to complete:** - Chkdsk may take some time, especially if the drive is large or has many files. - Do not interrupt the process; let it finish completely. 5. **Reboot normally:** - After chkdsk completes, type `exit` in the Command Prompt and press Enter to close it. - Restart your computer normally. Remember that if the drive is locked due to being in use by another process or system, you might need to first stop that process or restart your computer to gain access. Safe Mode helps ensure that minimal processes are running, making it easier to access and scan the locked drive.

To run CHKDSK on a locked drive, you should first unlock the drive by utilizing the CMD command or a third-party write-protection removal tool. You can refer to the guide on Removing Write Protection in Windows 10/8/7 for assistance.

After that, you can proceed with the following steps to run CHKDSK:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as an Administrator.

Step 2. Type: chkdsk E: /f /r /x and press "Enter." (Replace "E" with the drive letter of your hard drive.)