You will need a Windows7 machine or higher. Finally, it’s smart to have USBs read only so that virus’ don’t jump onto the drive and possibly spread to other computers.Let us start with the less permanent way because it’s easier to do and doesn’t require any specific hardware. Another reason for making a USB read only is for the original files to remain the same and blocks the ability for files to be changed or manipulated. Most times an IT manager or content owner wants the USB stick to be read only so the files cannot be deleted or formatted off the drive. The other method flags a USB device to be read only in relationship to the PC it is connected to so that whenever that USB stick is connected to that computer, it makes the USB read only and blocks all write commands to the device.

This permanent solution also means the status of the drive cannot be changed. When we say 100% permanent, this means the USB stick is read only (write protected) on all devices, whether it be computers like a Mac, Windows PC, Linux box or non-processor based products like a car stereo. The other way is a PC specific solution where some registry edits are required to any computer the USB flash drive is connected to. One method will make the USB read-only in anything it is connected to, so you could say this is a universal way of making a flash drive write protected. There are two ways to make a USB stick read only.

Secure flash drive