Fix Windows Cannot Run Disk Checking On This Volume Because It Is Write Protected

CHKDSK is one of the tools available on Windows 10 that allows you to scan the hard drive for any error and do a quick fix. It is a useful tool in resolving most issues caused by corrupted files however sometimes you might encounter a problem when running this tool. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will show you how to fix the Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected error.

Fix Windows Cannot Run Disk Checking On This Volume Because It Is Write Protected

Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.

There are generally two factors that can cause this particular problem. It’s either the disk you are trying to check is write protected or the disk itself is damaged. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this.

Try using a modified CHKDSK command

  • Open an elevated command prompt by pressing Winkey + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) from the list.
  • In the command prompt windows type in the following: chkdsk D: /f /r /x then press enter. D is the target drive to be scanned, /f parameter searches your drive for any errors and tries to fix them,/r parameter will scan your drive for bad sectors and resolve them, /x parameter dismounts your drive meaning if your drive is in use, it won’t be any longer until the search is completed.

Check if the  Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected error still occurs.

Modify the registry settings

If the disk is write protected then you can remove this protection setting via the registry editor.

  • Press Winkey + R to open Run.
  • Type in regedit.
  • Once the Windows Registry opens, paste the following in the address/location bar: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
  • Double-click the ‘WriteProtect’ key and change the value from 1 to 0.

In case you are unable to locate the StorageDevicePolicies folder

  • Paste the following path in the address bar: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control
  • In the middle pane, right-click and select New > Key.
  • A new folder will be created, name it ‘StorageDevicePolicies’. Make sure you don’t type the name incorrectly.
  • Highlight the newly created folder, right-click on the middle pane and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  • Name it WriteProtect and set the value to 0.

Check if the  Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected error still occurs.

Use DiskPart

  • Open Start Menu, type in ‘diskpart’ and open it up.
  • Once the utility loads, type in: list volume
  • The volumes on your hard disk will be listed, now type in the following: select volume # . Where # is the drive letter you want to scan.
  • Type in the following: attributes disk clear readonly
  • Wait for it to complete.

Check if the  Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected error still occurs.

Scan the drive for corrupted sectors

  • Open up ‘This PC’.
  • Right-click the faulty drive and select Properties.
  • Switch to the Tools tab.
  • Once there, click the ‘Check’ option.
  • If a UAC dialog box appears then select Yes.
  • Wait for the scan to complete.

Check if the  Windows cannot run disk checking on this volume because it is write protected error still occurs.

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