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Write protection, (also known as '''record protection''') is any physical mechanism that prevents modification or erasure of valuable Data on a device. Most commercial software, audio and video is sold pre-protected.

  • IBM 1/2 Inch Magnetic Tape reels, introduced in the 1950s , had a circular groove on one side of the reel, into which a soft plastic ring had to be placed in order to write on the tape.

  • Audio Cassette s and VHS tapes have tabs on the top/rear edge that can be broken off (uncovered = protected).

  • 8 and 5-1/4 inch floppies can have a notch on the right side (covered/not present = protected).

  • 3-1/2 inch Floppy Disk s have a sliding tab in a window on the right side (open = protected).

  • 8 mm and Digital Video tape cartridges have a sliding tab on the rear edge.

  • USB Key s generally have a small switch.


These mechanisms are only intended to prevent accidental data loss or attacks by Computer Virus es. A determined user can easily circumvent them either by covering a notch with Adhesive Tape , or creating one with a Punch , as appropriate.

Write-protection is typically enforced by the hardware. In the case of computer devices, attempting to violate it will return an error to the Operating System , while some tape recorders physically lock the record button when a write-protected cassette is present.