If your USB is write-protected, it's likely because of a virus. To format it, try using a different computer or a USB formatting tool like Rufus. If that doesn't work, try booting from a live CD or USB with an antivirus program to scan and remove the virus. If all else fails, consider using a data recovery tool to try and recover your files before formatting the USB. Be cautious when using any of these methods, as they may erase your data.
To make things easier, if your USB is infected with a virus, make sure it gets write-protected. First, remove the virus using a reliable virus removal program, such as the ones I always use. These programs can help you get back to normal.
If your USB is write-protected, you can format it easily and quickly without removing the virus. Simply right-click on the USB drive, select "Properties," and then click on the "Security" tab. From there, you can uncheck the box that says "Deny write" and click "OK" to save the changes.
For safe formatting of write-protected USB/SD cards or external hard drives, I recommend using a trustworthy third-party tool like Qiling Disk Master. This user-friendly tool can format your device safely, and its clear interface makes it easy to use for newbies. You can download it and follow the guide below to try it.
Here is how to do so:
Remember to plug your USB into your PC before we start.
Step 1. Launch Qiling Disk Master, click "Disk management", right-click the USB and select "Remove disk Readonly".
Step 2. To resize a USB drive partition, first, navigate to the "Partition Manager" on the left side. Then, locate your USB and right-click on it.
Step 3. To set up a USB drive for use with your computer, you'll need to choose a partition label, file system type, and cluster size. The partition label is the name you give to the USB drive, which will appear in your computer's file system.
Qiling Disk Master can save you a lot of time and effort, so download it to help.