A flash drive provides a portable method of backing up and transferring computer data and files. However, faulty communication between the flash drive and the computer's hard drive can result in an error that prevents you from writing any new data to the flash drive. Learn how to change the write-protect options on a PNY flash drive to solve this problem and restore the flash drive's full functionality.
Step 1
Insert the flash drive into an open, powered USB slot on your computer. USB hubs and other extension devices may not properly power your flash drive and may result in additional errors while completing these steps.
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Step 2
Double-click the flash drive's icon on your desktop. If you do not see the icon on your desktop, launch "Finder" if you are using a Mac or double click "My Computer" if you are using a Windows PC.
Step 3
Select all of the files currently on the flash drive and drag them to your desktop to make a backup copy. If the flash drive is already empty, go to Step 4.
Step 4
On a Mac, open the Disk Utility application. On a Windows PC, return to the main screen in My Computer and right click the flash drive. Click "Manage" in the pop-up menu.
Step 5
On a Mac, click the flash drive in Disk Utility and click "Erase." On a Windows PC, click "Disk Management" and format the flash drive. The operating system will delete all files currently on the flash drive. It will then reformat it, restoring it to its original state while changing and resetting the write-protect options on the flash drive. Once the process is complete, you will be able write files to your PNY flash drive again.
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