Fix Windows Cannot Run Disk Checking

When your volume/drive is damaged or attributed to Read Only, the error ‘Windows cannot Run Disk Checking on this Volume Because it is Write Protected’ appears. CHKDSK is a Windows command-line utility that allows you to search for and verify the integrity of system files on your hard drive.

How to Fix Windows cannot Run Disk Checking on this Volume Because it is Write Protected Error Message

An error message appears when you run the utility prompt, stating that the drive is corrupted or write-protected.

Solution 1: Use the Command Prompt to resolve CHKDSK

1. Open a command prompt with elevated privileges. Continue hitting Winkey + X until the Command Prompt (Admin) menu appears, and then choose it from the list.
2. When it opens, type the following into the box:
3. chkdisk – Windows
4. chkdsk D: /f /r /x
5. D represents a defective drive, which must be replaced accordingly.

The parameters:

• The /f argument looks for errors on your hard disk and fixes them.
• The /r option scans for faulty sectors.
• The /x argument unmounts the drive.

Solution 2: Using the Registry to Change the Attribute

1. Open Run by using the Winkey + R combination.
2. Open a command prompt and type RegEdit.
3. The Windows Registry is launched. You must put the following into the address/location bar there: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
4. Double-click the ‘WriteProtect’ key on the
5. Set the value to 0 instead of 1.

Changing the Windows Registry setting to disable WriteProtect

1. In the address bar, paste the following path: HKEY LOCAL MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl
2. Make sure you right-click in the middle pane and choose New > Key.
3. New Key in the Windows Registry
4. A new folder is created, which you must name ‘StorageDevicePolicies.’ Make certain you don’t misspell the name.
5. Select the newly created folder and double-click it.
6. Right-click on the middle pane in that window.
7. Select DWORD (32-bit) Value from the drop-down menu.

Solution 3: Revert to a previous version of Windows.

Many users have reported this error as being triggered by Windows updates. If this is also the case for you, attempt reverting to Windows’ previous version. To roll back the Windows update, follow the instructions described below:

1. Type Change Advanced Startup Options in the Windows start menu and choose the first result.
2. Click on the “Restart now” option in the Advanced starting section. Windows will restart and boot into Advanced Startup Options.
3. Click on the Troubleshoot option.
4. Select the Advanced options.
5. Click on the Go back to the prior version of Windows option.
6. Follow the on-screen directions to finish the operation.

Check if the issue continues when you have already rolled back to the earlier Windows update.

Solution 4: Use Safe Mode to run Chkdsk

If you can’t run Chkdsk using traditional methods, try running it in Safe mode. All unnecessary applications and services are disabled in Safe mode, and if any of them were the cause of this error, it would be resolved. Follow the steps below to enter Safe Mode:

1. In the Windows start menu, type Change Advanced Startup Options and select the top result.
2. In the Advanced startup section, select the Restart now option. Windows will restart and enter the Advanced Startup Options screen.
3. Select the Troubleshoot option.
4. Go to the Advanced tab.
5. Select Startup Settings.
6. Click the Restart button.
7. Press F4 to enter Windows in Safe Mode in the Startup Settings screen.
8. Your computer will restart and enter Safe Mode.
9. Now, proceed to Solution 4 to run the Chkdsk scan with the specified parameters.

Sometimes the issue is straightforward. The problem can be challenging at times. In either case, we hope we’ve found you a solution. However, if your USB drive problems persist, something more serious may be at work. In such cases, such as a deleted Partition Table, third-party software such as TestDisk can come to the rescue.