Remove Write Protection from Windows 10 USB

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by creeve4, Nov 25, 2018.

  1. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    I have a Windows 10 USB drive (purchased from Microsoft) with an older version of Windows on it. I would like to remove the write protection that MS applied, format it, and put a newer version of Windows on it.

    Does anyone have experience/guidance for removing the write protection on these drives?
     
  2. bfoos

    bfoos MDL Guide Dog

    Jun 15, 2008
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    #2 bfoos, Nov 25, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2018
    Open a command prompt as admin and use the following commands.

    1. > Diskpart
    2. > list disk
    3. > select disk (whatever number is assigned to your usb drive)
    4. > attributes disk clear readonly
    5. > exit
     
  3. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    I've tried Diskpart, the usb drive is still write protected.
     
  4. GodHand

    GodHand MDL Addicted

    Jul 15, 2016
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    Create a disk object:
    $Disk = Get-Disk -Number 'USB disk number'
    Remove Read-Only status:
    $Disk | Set-Disk -IsReadOnly $false
    Remove Partitions:
    $Disk | Get-Partition | Remove-Partition -Confirm:$false
    Clear all disk data including OEM partitions created by a manufacturer:
    $Disk | Clear-Disk -RemoveData -RemoveOEM -Confirm:$false

    If commands posted will not work, it's possible the device has a firmware lock enabled by the OEM (Microsoft) to prevent the usage of the USB drive from anything other than what it was designed for. Regardless, it can still be removed.
     
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  5. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    Code:
    Remove-Partition : The operation failed with return code 40004
    Activity ID: {34dcb897-9e8e-4608-ba3a-3a7964b899dd}
    At line:1 char:25
    + $Disk | Get-Partition | Remove-Partition
    +                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
        + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (StorageWMI:ROOT/Microsoft/.../MSFT_Partition) [Remove-Partition], CimExce
       ption
        + FullyQualifiedErrorId : StorageWMI 40004,Remove-Partition
     
  6. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    Still not possible. Maybe firmware locked.
     
  7. bfoos

    bfoos MDL Guide Dog

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    What's the part number or model of the device? There are various low level format tools available and it might help to narrow down which one is appropriate for this device.
     
  8. GodHand

    GodHand MDL Addicted

    Jul 15, 2016
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    Most likely yes. I can see if I have any firmware flashes for the chip it uses if you can get me the controller info from it or if one of my C# wrappers can access its security namespace directly from Windows itself (which is highly likely since it's a Microsoft product) and remove the read-only firmware switch flag.
     
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  9. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    KDI-MSFT Windows 10 USB Device
    Model 1734

    I'm working on getting more info.
    Thank you both for your help.
     
  10. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
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    Isn't that a windows 10 USB drive, sold by MSFT store?
     
  11. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    Yes
     
  12. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    I've found the following, not sure if this is helpful:
    Hardware IDs : USB\VID_0951&PID_16AA&REV_0110 USB\VID_0951&PID_16AA
     
  13. bfoos

    bfoos MDL Guide Dog

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    #15 bfoos, Nov 25, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2018
    Yeah the manufacturer most likely is but the chip vendor is likely to be Phison, so the vendor info is needed for me to recommend a tool that can flash the drive to remove the lock. I'm betting it's a PS2251-07 but I want to be sure.
     
  14. GodHand

    GodHand MDL Addicted

    Jul 15, 2016
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    Yeah these are firmware locked as read-only.

    I do have the Phison v5.03.0A-DL07 controller flash image for it, though (which is the controller it uses). I'm assuming the PID it uses is 5500 but am not positive since I do not have the drive to check.

    If you can find a copy of ChipGenius run it to retrieve the PID of the USB and then I can combine the flash with the proper OEM format tool that will format it and re-flash the firmware.

    If you can't find a CLEAN copy of ChipGenius, I can upload it.
     
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  15. creeve4

    creeve4 MDL Novice

    Aug 18, 2009
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    From ChipGenius:

    Description: [E:]USB Mass Storage Device(KDI-MSFT Windows 10)
    Device Type: Mass Storage Device

    Protocal Version: USB 2.10 <- Hint: This device can run faster when plugged to a USB3.0 port
    Current Speed: High Speed
    Max Current: 300mA

    USB Device ID: VID = 0951 PID = 16AA
    Serial Number: 001A92053F4DB07172747A2C

    Device Vendor: KDI-MSFT
    Device Name: Windows 10
    Device Revision: 0110

    Manufacturer: KDI-MSFT
    Product Model: Windows 10
    Product Revision: PMAP

    Controller Vendor: Phison
    Controller Part-Number: PS2251-07(PS2307) - F/W 01.02.55 [2015-11-06]
    Flash ID code: 983A98A3 - Toshiba TC58TEG7THLTA00 [TLC-16K]
     
  16. ipx

    ipx MDL Addicted

    May 24, 2017
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    #18 ipx, Nov 26, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2022
    .
     
  17. bfoos

    bfoos MDL Guide Dog

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    Ok, download v5.03.0A-DL07 of MPALL at the link @ipx posted above and extract it. Run MPALL_F1_7F00_DL07_v503_0A.exe and plug your drive in and click the update button. You should see one of the numbered slots turn green and display some information about your device. If not, try other USB ports until you find one that works. Verify that the "Current Settings" display at the top reads VID*PID: 13FE * 5500, if so or even if not, click the settings button and leave the basic setting new setting options as is. Click the load button and load the MP.ini file. If the dropdown box at top left says PS2251-07, your all good, if not then change it to PS2251-07 and leave everything else alone. Click save then close the window and click the start button. If you get an error, it's most likely because you have the device plugged into a USB 2.X port, you can either plug the device into a USB 3.0 port and try again or if you don't have USB 3.0 ports, go back into settings and change the "Host Port" setting to USB 2.0, click save, close the window and try again. Best of luck to you!
     
  18. BankruptBear

    BankruptBear MDL Novice

    Aug 1, 2018
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    Hello new here I have this brand its's a 32 gig that came with window on it and would liketoo reflash it and sorry if I should have made another post for this.

    Description: [I:]USB Mass Storage Device(TOSHIBA MSFT NORB)
    Device Type: Mass Storage Device

    Protocal Version: USB 3.00
    Current Speed: High Speed
    Max Current: 504mA

    USB Device ID: VID = 0930 PID = 1400
    Serial Number: 07085274301B9F06

    Device Vendor: TOSHIBA
    Device Name: MSFT NORB
    Device Revision: 0110

    Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
    Product Model: MSFT NORB
    Product Revision: PMAP

    Controller Vendor: Phison
    Controller Part-Number: PS2251-03(PS2303) - F/W 01.22.53 [2014-12-02]
    Flash ID code: 983AA892 - Toshiba TC58NVG7T2JTA00 [TLC-8K]

    Possible Flash Part-Number
    ----------------------------
    [1CE]TC58NVG7T2JTA00
    [1CE]TC58TVG7T2JTA00
    [1CE]TC58TE*****TA00
    [2CE]TH58NVG8T2JTA20
    [2CE]TH58TVG8T2JTA20
    [2CE]TH58TEG8TDKTA20
    [4CE]TH58NVG9T2JTA80
    [4CE]TH58TVG9T2JTA80


    Flash ID mapping table
    ----------------------------
    [Channel 0] [Channel 1]