Disk Formatting Is Slow After Failing on Write-Protected Disk

 Last reviewed: January 26, 1996
Article ID: Q136954
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you try to format a floppy disk in Windows Explorer or My Computer, you may receive the following error message: 

   Windows cannot format this disk because it is write protected. If
   you are sure you want to continue, remove or move the write-protect
   tab, reinsert the disk, and then click Retry.
If you move the write-protect tab, reinsert the disk, and then click the Retry button, Windows 95 formats the disk, but may take longer than normal to do so. It may take up to three times longer than normal to format the disk.

RESOLUTION

To avoid this problem, make sure that the disk is not write protected before you try to format it.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 95. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

KBCategory: kbtool kbbuglist
KBSubcategory: win95
Additional reference words: 95

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Last reviewed: January 26, 1996
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