My USB stick not working, Read-only

Dear All,

Would be very grateful for any replies to this problem.

My problem is all about USB memory sticks. A few weeks ago, I used a USB stick at my local library, and was able to copy almost anything from the internet to this stick. At present, at my local library, I find that that same USB stick can no longer have anything written to it. It is stuck in Read-only mode. I cannot change anything to this USB stick at all.

For example, I use this stick to have a password database on it, Keepass. If I wish to change a password, and then copy it to the database, it does not work (this behaviour has changed - I used to be able to do this.) When I try to save the database itself, I cannot.

Could this possibly be due to an update of Windows 11? I have asked at the library, and they have not changed anything.
marek_wes

@marek_wes ,

Welcome to ElevenForum. I see that you have an identical, active Topic over at Bleeping Computer: Latest Update of Windows 11 makes my USB Read-only - Windows 11.

They are still awaiting a reply from you. Posting identical questions simultaneously on multiple Forums is not considered good "netiquette."

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

At bleeping computer you were told that this is likely due to a policy change at the library. If the stick works at home but not at the library, that's the issue. Please continue the thread at bleeping computer. If they can't help, then by all means come back and tell us.

An organization can set a GPO policy to ban writes to USB drive, but still allowing read access. Normally it's used to prevent people from stealing confidential data from a work PC by copying files to a removable drive.

If the same drive is writable on a friend or family member's PC, then you know the library has a security policy.

marek_wes said:

It is stuck in Read-only mode

Click to expand...

Read-only is a very common symptom of a permanently defective USB stick.
It might continue to be readable for another decade but that's not very much use.


Denis

Our questions won't be any different from those you have already been asked but you never answered. You are so adament in both forums that the problem is with windows, but you have not proven the validity of an old 2.0 Cruzer usb drive. Those drives do fail and wear out just like any other drive. They do not last forever.

If the stick works on your home computer (which you do not answer in the other forum) the library machines are blocking writes.

If it doesn't work on home computer either:
From your home computer where you have admin rights, open command prompt as administrator
diskpart
list disk
select disk X (where X is letter of usb drive)
attributes disk
If it says Current Read‑only State: Yes and Read‑only: No, the controller has locked it so it's hardware failure.

Try reformatting the drive. If it won't format, buy another stick and beat that one with a sledge hammer..