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VDS_E_MEDIA_WRITE_PROTECTED
VDS_E_MEDIA_WRITE_PROTECTED means VDS reached media that will not accept writes. The format contract lists it separately from access denial: administrator or Backup Operator rights do not override a device, provider, or media state that exposes the target as write-protected.
Distinguish media protection from caller authorization
The correct diagnostic boundary is the writable state reported for the actual target. A read-only disk attribute, removable-media lock, storage-array policy, or provider state can all be upstream of VDS. Clearing an attribute is appropriate only when that state is administrative and the storage ownership is known.
What to verify
- Verify the physical and logical target before changing any read-only flag, especially on systems with similarly sized disks.
- Inspect disk and provider properties for the source of write protection rather than treating this as an NTFS permission failure.
- If protection returns after being cleared, investigate the hardware or storage policy that reasserts it instead of looping on the VDS call.
References
- Microsoft: IVdsVolumeMF::Format return values
- Microsoft Open Specifications: VDS_E_MEDIA_WRITE_PROTECTED
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