Unlock SD Card | Recover SD Card Pictures/Files for Free

Jean Updated on Apr 19, 2019 to Data Recovery | How-to Articles


To unlock the SD card, you should check the LOCK switch position first and then use CMD to remove digital write protection. To recover SD card pictures and files, try EaseUS data recovery software, which recovers data easily and quickly.

Unlock SD Card in Two Proven Ways
Recover Lost Pictures/Files from SD Card

Sandisk User Case: "Why do I get a "The disk is write-protected" message when I transfer files to my SD card?"

Cannon User Case: "A message popped out on my Canon camera saying "memory card error/SD card locked". What's the matter?"

How to Unlock SD Card in Two Proven Ways

If you are faced with the same situation that the SD card or the disk is write protected or locked, two ways can help you solve this. First, manually unlock the SD card. Second, using CMD to remove digital write protection.

1. Manually Unlock the SD Card


If the lock switch is loose and moves easily It is likely the switch is sliding to the locked position as the card is placed in your host device. In this case, the card will need to be replaced.

unlock SD card manually

2. Using CMD to Remove Digital Write Protection

Step 1: Make sure that you're using an administrator account. And connect the SD card to your computer. 

  • If your computer has an SD card reader, the card should slide label-up and gold connectors-first into the reader.
  • If your PC doesn't have a card reader, you'll need a USB SD card adapter to do this.

Step 2: Click the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of the screen.

  • Search "Command Prompt" and click "Run as Administrator"

Step 3: Type these commands one by one and press "Enter" after each:

  1. diskpart
  2. list disk
  3. select disk # (# is the number of the SD card with which you're getting the write-protected/ locked error.)
  4. attributes disk clear readonly

remove sd card write protection or unlock sd card

You will see a line of text that reads "Disk attributes cleared successfully", signifying that your SD card is no longer write-protected.

Recover Lost Pictures/Files from SD Card

To recover lost SD card data after removing or disable write protection on the SD in Windows 10/8/7, it's highly recommended for you to restore and extract data from the SD card. Free data recovery software from EaseUS can do this job. This powerful data recovery software is safe and clean, and provides you with lots of benefits:

Your Reliable Choice - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard

  • Recover data from the recycle bin, hard drive, memory card, flash drive, digital camera and, camcorder.

How to recover locked SD Card pictures/files：


Step 1: Connect the SD card to PC



Run SD card recovery software.

Step 3: Check found SD card data.


  • Deleted Files: List your deleted files there.
  • Drive X: All lost files can be found here.
  • Extra Files: Finds files that lost names or paths.


Find lost SD card files.

Step 4: Restore SD card data.

Restore lost SD card files.

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Frequently Asked Qusetions

1. Why cannot I recover 2GB data for free?



2. Why cannot the recovered files be opened?







5. How long does it take to scan the drive?


About Data Recovery Wizard
