Create your own Custom USB Flash Drive Logos is a great method to build your brand, make a great impression and leave a lasting positive vibe with your clients.

Branding products isn’t a new concept in today’s marketing world, but Nexcopy has made it a lot more accessible to brand one of the most versatile pieces of technology in the industry. With the new USB7P full color inkjet printer, anyone can bring their designs or images to life on their flash drives. Below is a video illustrating the product with its features and benefits.

For more information about customizing this video for our reseller channel, please contact Nexcopy directly.

Source: Nexcopy Inc.

We recently published an article featuring 60 incredible custom USB flash drive designs that range from miniature cars to footballs and represent industries as diverse as material handling, construction, medical, and environmental services. A custom-shaped USB flash drive is more than just portable storage—it’s a unique, physical representation of your brand

By transforming a company logo or product into a functional USB drive, businesses create a marketing tool that not only stands out but also makes a lasting impression on their target audience. For example, a construction company once commissioned a USB drive molded in the exact shape of one of their heavy-duty excavators. This creative giveaway left potential clients with a practical device that doubled as a memorable conversation starter, reinforcing brand recognition long after the initial meeting

Marketing professionals continue to choose custom logo USB flash drives because they offer a tangible, engaging, and highly effective way to drive home their brand message.

Why is my USB write protected? (Updated for Windows 11 Fixes)

USB write protected means the USB cannot be written to. But why does this happen? There can be several reasons, ranging from a corrupted flash drive to software settings in Windows that lock the device.

Originally posted in 2015, this article is now updated for modern systems, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, which introduce additional security layers that can cause USB write protection issues.

Hardware or Device Failure

It’s easy to damage a USB stick. A common cause is sending multiple write threads to the device at the same time. For example, copying large files while issuing another write command may corrupt the controller, leaving it permanently locked.

Windows Registry and Security Settings

Windows can mark a USB drive as write-protected due to policy settings or errors. Here’s how to remove this restriction on Windows 10 and Windows 11:

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
• If WriteProtect exists, double-click it and set the value to 0. If it doesn’t exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) entry named WriteProtect and set it to 0.
• Restart your PC and reconnect the USB drive.

Using Diskpart Command (Windows 11)

Windows 11 offers an advanced command-line tool to clear write protection:

diskpart
list disk
select disk #
attributes disk clear readonly
exit

Replace # with your USB drive number.

Windows Security – Ransomware Protection

Windows 11’s Controlled Folder Access can block external writes. Disable or adjust this setting via: Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Ransomware protection.

File System Repair

If the drive is corrupted, run:

chkdsk E: /f

(replace E: with your USB letter). This may fix read/write errors without losing data.

Manufacturer Tools

Brands like SanDisk, Kingston, or Nexcopy provide utilities to reset a locked USB device or reformat at a controller level.

Conclusion

Write protection errors are often recoverable and not always caused by hardware failure. With the new features in Windows 11, additional troubleshooting steps may be required before discarding a drive.

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FAQ

Q: How do I remove USB write protection in Windows 11?
A: Use Registry Editor, Diskpart, or adjust Ransomware Protection settings to allow writes.

Q: Does Windows Defender block USB writes?
A: Yes, in some cases Controlled Folder Access can block external USB writes. Adjust settings to resolve this.

Lake Forest, CA — July, 2015 — Nexcopy Inc. introduces a new software suite which supports data locking content to secure digital media. The software function supports both full-size Secure Digital card media and microSD card media. The data locking feature will turn the SD card into a read-only card so data cannot be deleted or formatted off the device.

Write Protection for SD Card: Why It Matters

As data security becomes increasingly critical, write protection for SD cards is a key feature that prevents unauthorized data modification or deletion. Nexcopy’s new software and duplicator hardware empower users to permanently lock content at the controller level—making it impossible to erase, overwrite, or format the card’s data.

Write protecting, or data locking content to flash memory is an important security feature. With the Nexcopy software and duplicator, data can be copied to the memory card and as a final step the device will be write protected at the controller level. Performing the data lock at the controller level blocks any third party from manipulating, hacking or tampering with the original content.

With the Nexcopy duplication software and hardware solution, a content owner has the following benefits:

• Protect bootable operating systems which run from SD cards
• Block viruses or malware from being transferred to the memory device
• Eliminate users from deleting or formatting content off the SD card

“Several of our customers with global data distribution requirements asked for this feature,” says Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy Inc. “The ability to write protect Secure Digital media was the added security measure they required, and we delivered.” Morris continues, “In addition, I am happy to announce current Nexcopy customers with SD Duplicators will also benefit from our updated duplication software.”

With optical drives disappearing from laptops, netbooks, and most tower-styled computers, the requirement to disseminate information via flash memory is becoming more popular now than ever. As content owners make their data available on flash memory, there is an added responsibility to ensure the memory is secure from malware and viruses. One way to prevent suspicious files from “jumping” onto the memory is making the flash memory write protected (or read-only). Using read-only Secure Digital media is a dual benefit because files cannot be added to the card and files cannot be removed from the card.

The software suite is compatible with the PC-based SD200PC duplicator and microSD200PC duplicator by Nexcopy. The two SD duplicator models are twenty target systems and require a Windows host PC to run. The write protection is performed at the controller level. It is not the mechanical switch found on the outside of Secure Digital media. This means the write protection setting done by the Nexcopy duplication software is the most secure method to make SD and microSD media read only.

Nexcopy’s complete line of USB Duplicators, CF Duplicators, SD Duplicators, and microSD Duplicators are available through a worldwide network of authorized resellers.

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About

Nexcopy Incorporated specializes in developing and manufacturing the finest and most feature-rich flash memory duplicators in the market. Pioneering the solid-state memory duplication market, Nexcopy supplies Central and South America, Europe, India, Asia, Pacific Rim and serves the U.S. market through its U.S. headquarters at: 13 Orchard Road Suite 102, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

There are two ways on “How to make a USB read only.” 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.

The other way is a PC-specific solution where some registry edits are required to any computer the USB flash drive is connected to.

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. This permanent solution also means the status of the drive cannot be changed. 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.

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. Another reason for making a USB read only is for the original files to remain the same and block the ability for files to be changed or manipulated. Finally, it’s smart to have USBs read only so that viruses 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.

You will need a Windows7 machine or higher. The Windows7 machine will have DiskPart utility which allows us to perform all sorts of cool things to flash drives, like setting write protection.

• Connect the USB to your Windows computer.
• To begin, go to your Windows Start and in the Search Field type cmd

This will run your Command Prompt.

• Next, you will want to get to the C root of the Command Prompt and if you are signed in as a user you can simply type cd\ – this will get you back to the root of the C drive.
• Type DISKPART
• Type LIST DISK

Now you will need to find the USB stick connected to your PC. Most likely it’s DISK 1

UPDATE: The Nexcopy USB flash drive inkjet printer has been upgraded to the new LOGO-EZ PRINTER, a 40-up full-color inkjet printer designed specifically for USB flash drive branding. The LOGO-EZ features a fully customized tray that securely holds USB drives in place during printing. Pricing starts around $3,500. For current product specs and availability, visit Nexcopy.com.

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Legacy Overview: USB7P USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

Note: The following section refers to the discontinued USB7P model. Nexcopy now offers an improved USB flash drive inkjet printer under the LOGO-EZ name. See Nexcopy’s site for current models.

What Was the USB7P Inkjet Printer for USB Flash Drives?

Nexcopy introduced the USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer as a compact desktop solution for professional, full-color branding of USB swivel drives. Unlike traditional third-party printing services that require bulk orders and long lead times, the USB7P allowed businesses to take control of their branding process directly from their office. With the ability to print custom logos, promotional graphics, or product-specific designs onto the metal swivel clips of USB drives, companies could create fully personalized flash drives on demand.

This inkjet printer for USB flash drives supported widely used file formats like JPEG and bitmap, making it easy for users to import their artwork and align it accurately to each clip. Designed for efficiency, the USB7P produced vivid, high-resolution prints in less than a minute. Whether for small-run marketing giveaways, corporate training tools, or private-label media distribution, the USB7P gave organizations a flexible and cost-effective way to customize USB drives in-house without sacrificing print quality or turnaround time.

How the USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer Worked

The USB7P utilizes specially designed printable swivel clips provided by Nexcopy, which replace the standard metal clips commonly found on traditional USB flash drives. These printable clips are engineered to fit perfectly on most standard swivel-style flash drives, making it easy to transform a generic drive into a custom-branded product. One of the standout features of this system is the ability to swap out the clips at any time—a major advantage for businesses that frequently update their branding, change promotional campaigns, or require multilingual packaging.

For example, if your logo undergoes a redesign or seasonal artwork is required for a limited-time offer, you can simply print new clips and replace the old ones without needing to purchase entirely new drives. This modular approach to USB branding not only saves cost but also greatly enhances operational flexibility. Companies can even produce different color variations of the same logo or design to align with specific departments, product lines, or event themes—all from the same batch of flash drives.

Powered by HP’s advanced inkjet technology, the USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer supports over 11 million colors with spot-on PMS color matching. Whether you’re printing a vibrant photo, a subtle watermark, or a two-tone logo, the output remains sharp, consistent, and high-resolution. The printer can produce a full-color set of seven USB clips in just 35 seconds, delivering fast, professional results with minimal effort and no drying time required.

Key Features of the USB7P USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

• Full-color inkjet printing on both sides of USB clips
• Accepts JPEG and bitmap file formats
• Prints 7 clips per batch with unique or identical images
• Onboard camera ensures perfect image alignment
• Fast output with instant-dry, water-resistant results

Software Setup for the USB Flash Drive Inkjet Printer

Setup was simple: install drivers, load the 7-slot clip tray, and launch the included Nexcopy software. The printer’s onboard camera helped align your artwork with precision. To print the reverse side, just flip the clips and print again—no drying time needed.

A Proven Solution for USB Branding and Fulfillment

The USB7P USB flash drive inkjet printer was specifically engineered to meet the dynamic needs of modern corporations, where product labeling, software revisions, or branding updates can change rapidly and often with little notice. In industries where management frequently mandates last-minute design or version updates—such as software development, medical devices, education, or government—the ability to perform in-house USB flash drive customization becomes not just a convenience but a necessity.

Unlike outsourcing, which introduces lead times, minimum order quantities, and increased costs, the USB7P allowed organizations to react quickly to evolving requirements. Whether it was a rebranded product suite, a new software patch, or an internal initiative that needed fast deployment, the USB7P gave teams the ability to print full-color, professional-grade USB swivel clips in real time—on demand, and in small or large batches.

Its capability to print seven clips simultaneously with unique or identical artwork made it ideal for short-run branding jobs, quick-turn marketing promotions, sales samples, trade shows, beta program rollouts, or even internal asset labeling. This level of flexibility empowered departments to keep pace with marketing, compliance, or operational directives without relying on third-party suppliers or long production schedules.

Though the USB7P has since been replaced by the more powerful LOGO-EZ printer, the core concept remains the same: give corporate users the ability to control their USB branding pipeline from start to finish—affordably, efficiently, and on their own schedule.

Source: Nexcopy USB Clip Printer – Official Product Page

UPDATE: The Nexcopy USB flash drive printer has been upgraded to a 40-up full-color print unit. Nexcopy has replaced the USB7P printer with the new LOGO-EZ PRINTER. This updated model includes a custom-built tray designed to securely hold USB drives in place during high-speed printing. Pricing starts at approximately $3,500.

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Press Release: Nexcopy Launches USB Flash Drive Printer

Lake Forest, CA – June 11, 2014 – Nexcopy Inc. has announced the release of its full-color USB flash drive printer. This new inkjet printer is designed to print vivid, high-resolution logos directly onto USB swivel clips. Targeted at small businesses, marketing firms, and promotional companies, the printer is ideal for fast, in-house branding and short production runs.

Fast and Efficient Printing with the USB7P

Using Nexcopy’s seven-slot USB flash drive printer and specially coated printable clips, users can easily print high-quality images in under 35 seconds.

• Supports standard JPEG and BMP image formats
• Prints 7 identical or 7 unique logos per batch
• Dual-sided printable swivel USB clips
• White matte finish ideal for color accuracy
• Perfect for single samples or small-to-medium print jobs
• Printed images are dry instantly, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant
• Compatible with most standard swivel USB flash drive designs

Affordable In-House USB Printing

“The USB flash drive printer is a major innovation for Nexcopy,” said Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy Inc. “The USB7P provides a cost-effective way for marketing and promotional companies to produce vibrant, branded USB flash drives in-house, without the delays or expenses of outsourcing.”

HP Inkjet Technology for Vibrant Results

The USB7P is powered by Hewlett Packard’s reliable inkjet technology, known for precise color reproduction and Pantone color matching. In testing, the printer produced seven full-color clips in 35 seconds. Black-only logo printing can be completed in as little as 15 seconds.

Lower Cost, Faster Turnaround

“With our USB flash drive printer, small businesses can save on shipping, screen setup fees, and costly print runs,” added Morris. “Some of our resellers simply grabbed logos from a customer’s website, printed them directly on USB clips, and landed bulk orders the next day. That’s the power of fast, on-demand branding.”

USB7P Specifications

The printer weighs 11 lbs (5 kg) and has dimensions of 18 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches (452 x 286 x 267 mm). It ships with universal power support (110V/220V), includes one CMY cartridge, one black cartridge, and 20 printable clips. The tray holds 7 clips per print cycle. MSRP: $1,799. “USB Flash Drive Printer” is a trademark of Nexcopy Inc.

Product Resources

• Product Page
• Printer Image
• USB Clip Samples
• USB7P Datasheet

Global Reseller Network

Nexcopy’s full line of duplication systems—including USB, CF, SD, and microSD duplicators—is available through a global network of authorized resellers.

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About Nexcopy Incorporated

Nexcopy specializes in developing and manufacturing advanced flash memory duplication systems. As a pioneer in the solid-state memory sector, Nexcopy services markets in North America, Europe, India, Asia, and the Pacific Rim, with U.S. headquarters located at 13 Orchard Road, Suite 102, Lake Forest, CA 92630.

Nexcopy Incorporated
Mr. Greg Morris
+1 949 481 6478
contact@nexcopy.com
https://www.nexcopy.com

Press Release: Nexcopy Introduces SD Duplicators with Sanitize Feature

Lake Forest, CA – November 5, 2013 – Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer of flash memory duplicators, announces two new standalone SD duplicators with sanitize feature: the 1-15 and 1-31 target systems. These models offer high-speed Secure Digital (SD) duplication combined with advanced sanitization capabilities for enterprise, IT, and government data workflows.

Why Sanitization Matters in SD Duplicators

The new Nexcopy SD duplicators introduce a powerful full binary overwrite system, offering both single-pass and triple-pass random write sequencing. This proprietary triple-pass process ensures data is permanently deleted—making these SD duplicators with sanitize feature ideal for secure environments where data cannot be recovered by forensic tools.

Efficient In-House Duplication and Sanitization

These standalone duplicators are perfect for businesses needing in-house flash memory management. They allow duplication and sanitization of multiple SD cards simultaneously. Nexcopy’s core binary copy engine, used in its trusted USB duplicators, supports all major file systems: FAT, FAT32, NTFS, ext2, ext3, ext4, and custom formats. This makes the SD duplicators with sanitize feature highly flexible for IT teams and software developers.

“Pivoting from our core binary copy firmware, Nexcopy expands our technology to include sanitization features now being sought by IT professionals,” said Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy Inc. “We built these standalone SD duplicators specifically to meet enterprise demands.”

Standalone Operation with One-Touch Control

The Nexcopy SD duplicators operate independently of any host computer. Their simple one-button functionality allows fast deployment, making them ideal for deployment labs, software QA teams, government organizations, and educational institutions where speed and security matter most.

Available Models of Nexcopy SD Duplicators with Sanitize Feature

• SD115SA – 1-15 Target SD Duplicator and Sanitizer
• SD131SA – 1-31 Target SD Duplicator and Sanitizer

Product Image Resources

• SD115SA: https://www.nexcopy.com/downloads/sd115sa.jpg
• SD131SA: https://www.nexcopy.com/downloads/sd131sa.jpg
• Group Shot: https://www.nexcopy.com/downloads/sd_duplicator_sa.jpg

Global Availability

Nexcopy’s complete product line—including USB, SD, CF, and microSD duplicators with sanitize features—is available through a global network of authorized resellers.

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About Nexcopy Incorporated

Nexcopy specializes in cutting-edge duplication technology for flash memory. As a pioneer in solid-state memory duplication, Nexcopy serves clients across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, from its headquarters in Lake Forest, California.

Nexcopy Incorporated
13 Orchard Road, Suite 102
Lake Forest, CA 92630
+1 949 481 6478
contact@nexcopy.com
https://www.nexcopy.com

History of portable storage devices – An interesting topic and starts earlier then you probably think.  Starting in 1928 the punch card is what started it all.  Like the punch music you probably remember on your grandmothers piano where the piano played automatically from the punch roll.

• 1928 – Punch Card Storage: One of the earliest forms of portable data storage, punch cards used holes in paper to represent data and instructions for computers.
• 1956 – Magnetic Disk Storage (IBM 305 RAMAC): Introduced the first hard disk drive, capable of storing 5 MB of data using rotating magnetic platters.
• 1963 – Magnetic Tape Cartridges: Offered portable data storage for mainframes, allowing larger amounts of information to be transported between systems.
• 1971 – Floppy Disk: A flexible magnetic disk developed by IBM, making it easier to store and transfer data on personal computers.
• 1984 – CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory): Allowed digital data to be stored on optical discs, improving durability and storage capacity over floppies.
• 1990 – PCMCIA Flash Memory Cards: Early flash memory cards, primarily used in laptops and industrial equipment, paved the way for solid-state storage devices.
• 1994 – CompactFlash (CF) Cards: Used in digital cameras and handheld devices, offering small, removable flash-based storage.
• 2000 – USB Flash Drive: A major breakthrough in portable storage, offering rewritable, durable, and high-capacity data storage via USB interface.
• 2005 – SD and microSD Cards: Became the standard flash storage format for cameras, smartphones, and embedded systems due to their small size and reliability.
• Today – High-Capacity Flash Storage: Modern USB drives and SSDs now offer terabytes of solid-state storage, with fast read/write speeds and advanced encryption capabilities, replacing most earlier portable storage technologies.

History of Portable Storage (Infograph) An infographic by the team at History of Portable Storage (Infograph)

The above InfoGraph was provided by Nexcopy Company and highlights the current options and services available for Protecting IP on USB, often referred to as USB Copy Protection. The concept behind this USB copy protection solution is the ability to share digital files on a flash drive with others while restricting their ability to duplicate or distribute that information without authorization.

With the above solution, a user can protect multiple file types, including popular multimedia formats such as PDF, MP3, QuickTime, MP4, M4V, HTML, Flash, and other supported files. This post is not intended as advertising but rather as an informational overview of products and services for protecting IP on USB flash drives currently available in the market today.

CopySecure USB Drive – Key Features Explained

1. Compatible with Mac and Windows

The protected content on a CopySecure drive can be viewed on both Mac and Windows computers using included MacViewer and PCViewer apps—ensuring full cross-platform support.

2. No Administrator Rights Required for Playback

Recipients do not need admin privileges to run the viewer application. The encrypted files can be accessed directly from the drive without installing software.

3. No Installation Required on the Host Computer

Viewers launch and run directly from the flash drive itself—there’s no software setup required on the user’s system.

4. Content Runs 100% from the Flash Drive

All playback—including decryption—happens locally. There’s no internet connectivity, cloud authentication, or external servers involved.

5. Immune to Deletion or Modification

CopySecure drives are hardware write-protected—data cannot be deleted, overwritten, formatted, or modified at the controller level on the device.

6. Hardware + Software Encryption Layered Protection

This solution is not just encryption, but a combined hardware/software DRM system:

• Files are encrypted (e.g., DES encryption).
• A custom viewer governs access (disabling print, copy, paste, screen capture, save).
• The license is embedded to the physical drive—no recurring subscription needed.

Additional Advanced Capabilities

Dual-Partition Drive Format

You can partition the drive into:

• A read-only protected partition containing encrypted DRM content.
• An optional standard (read?write) partition for supplemental files or updates—not protected. Ideal for combining marketing collateral or user manuals alongside protected IP content.

Supported File Types

CopySecure drives support a wide range of content formats:

• Documents: PDF, TXT, XML, CSS
• Web pages: HTM / HTML / HTML5
• Images and animations: JPG, GIF, PNG, SWF
• Audio: MP3, WAV
• Video: MP4 (H.264 up to 1080p), WMV, MOV, M4V

Time?Expiration / DRM Features

You can optionally configure content to expire at a set date or time, useful for timed access to training materials, courses, or contracts.

How It Works – Process Overview

For the Content Owner:

1. Order licensed CopySecure USB media from Nexcopy with DRM license embedded.
2. On a Windows PC, install the CopySecure Wizard software. Use it to encrypt and load content onto the drive; the tool also installs PCViewer and MacViewer on the drive.
3. Lock the drive—making the protected partition permanently read-only at the hardware level.

For the End-User:

1. Insert the flash drive and open the appropriate viewer (MacViewer or PCViewer).
2. Run protected files directly from the drive — no installation or extra setup.
3. The viewer prevents actions like save-as, print, screen capture, or copying text. Files appear normal but cannot be extracted or replicated outside the viewer environment.

Caveats & Practical Considerations

• Screen capture protection is imperfect: On Windows, capturing screens can occasionally succeed before the viewer detects and deletes the screenshot; on Mac, users may deny viewer permissions, making capture possible.
• Viewer updates may be required: If future operating system changes break viewer compatibility, you can update the viewer on the drive using the “Update Copy Secure” option within the Nexcopy software—but content remains locked and cannot be changed or added afterward.

PRESS RELEASE:

LAKE FOREST, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer in USB Duplicator solutions, announces their all new CF Duplicator system for data loading to Compact Flash cards.

New CF Duplicator Features

• CF Duplicator with all new design
• Deep CF sockets with guides for easy insert and removal
• CF Duplicator available in 15, 30 and 45 target systems
• Powerful duplicator software with many advanced features
• Unique data may be copied to each card

Nexcopy is announcing the all new design of our CF Duplicator solutions. These robust and reliable CF duplicator systems are available in 15 socket, 30 socket and 45 socket configurations.

The new CF Duplicators by Nexcopy are designed with functionality and ergonomics in mind. With top loading CF sockets in combination with deep rail guides to easily insert and remove CF media the new system will virtually eliminate bent pins from high volume duplication of CF media.

“Coupling the power of Nexcopy’s Drive Manager software and the new CF duplicator design our system can handle any configuration requirement by contract manufacturers or fulfillment houses,” reports Greg Morris, President of Nexcopy. “The system is PC based and provides tools such as duplication from IMG files, unique data streaming to each socket, network connectivity and rich Graphical User Interface for performance feedback and log reporting.”

Why CompactFlash Cards Are Still in Use

CompactFlash (CF) cards are primarily used for storing digital data in a wide range of devices, especially those that require high-capacity and high-performance storage solutions. While their popularity has somewhat waned with the emergence of other storage formats like SD cards and SSDs, CF cards are still utilized in various applications, including:

Video Cameras and Camcorders: CF cards are commonly used in professional video cameras and camcorders for recording high-quality video footage. Their fast data transfer rates and reliability make them ideal for capturing high-definition video in demanding production environments.

Embedded Systems and Industrial Applications: CF cards are frequently used in embedded systems, industrial computers, and electronic devices that require rugged and reliable storage solutions. Their durability, high storage capacities, and resistance to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures make them suitable for use in harsh operating environments.

Data Storage and Transfer: CF cards are also used for general-purpose data storage and transfer in various devices, including computers, laptops, digital audio recorders, and handheld devices.

Gaming Consoles and Arcade Machines: CF cards have been used in some gaming consoles, arcade machines, and gaming peripherals for storing game data, firmware updates, and other content.

Medical Devices and Equipment: CF cards are sometimes used in medical devices and equipment, such as medical imaging devices, patient monitoring systems, and diagnostic equipment.

Data Recovery and Forensics: CF cards are also used in data recovery and forensic applications for recovering or analyzing digital evidence.

All CF duplicators by Nexcopy can copy from an archive IMG file, from a physical master device and include binary bit-by-bit verification functions. These systems are ideal for bootable CF cards. The new CF Duplicators by Nexcopy Incorporated are available for immediate purchase with a starting price of $1,299 US dollars.

Source: Business Wire.

How To Read and Write CID on SD Cards

If you are looking to read the CID number of an SD card, or extract the CID off an SD card, then you will find this article very helpful. Some also call this “reading the PSN off the SD card” or reading the product serial number off the SD card.

UPDATE (Feb 16, 2023):

We learned the company which manufactures this product now offers the ability to write the CID value as well as write protect the Secure Digital media.

Most phones and much of the software on phones will lock into the CID number of an SD card. The CID number is a unique card identifier number that is unique to the card itself. The CID number is valuable because software developers and hardware developers can lock software to the unique number of the device, thus eliminating the ability to pass along licensed software.

Reading the CID number from an SD card is not an easy task. It requires specific access codes to the index table of the memory card, and unless you know how to use the SD chipset of your card reader, chances are you won’t get the number—or at least not the correct and accurate number.

What is the CID number of an SD card?

The CID register is 16 bytes long and contains a unique card identification number. It is programmed during card manufacturing and cannot be changed by SD Card hosts. The CID number is a compilation of information about the card, such as manufacturer, date manufactured, checksum total, GB size, and more. Below is a table outlining all the items which make up the SD CID number.

So with all this said, how do you read the CID number from an SD card? As we’ve mentioned, it isn’t easy and it’s hardware based. If you do enough searching on the internet, you’ll find some home-brew code to read the CID numbers, but that’s only if you have the SD card or microSD card connected via an IDE bus to your host computer. This isn’t easy for everyone. There is clear evidence that using a USB to SD card reader will not get you the information you require—or at least accurate and correct information. Meaning most times the CID number generated is actually the serial number of the card reader itself, not the CID number of a specific SD card.

In addition, what if you are required to read the CID number off SD media in bulk? A single, one-at-a-time solution is not practical.

In my search to read the CID number from SD media, I came across Nexcopy – a manufacturer of USB duplicator equipment and other flash memory equipment. Several models they carry are SD duplicators and microSD duplicators. With the secure digital duplicators, part of their feature set includes reading CID numbers from SD media. The equipment can read 20 cards at a time, 40 cards at a time, or 60 cards at a time, depending on the model. The duplicators will read the CID number and export it to a .csv file for import into other business functions. This configuration makes it quick and easy to obtain the CID number. Granted, the equipment is not designed for single-use operation, but rather reading the CID of SD media in bulk quantity. Here is a screenshot of Nexcopy’s software reading 20 CID numbers:

I didn’t contact Nexcopy Incorporated for pricing of the equipment, but doing a quick search for the equipment shows me a price of about $1k for the smallest 20 target system and $3k for the largest 60 target system.

With all this said, there is still no clear-cut method to read CID numbers off SD cards for the home-user, but maybe this article will at least explain why you haven’t found a good solution as of yet.

The CID (Card Identification) number is a unique identifier that is assigned to each Secure Digital (SD) card. The CID number is a 16-byte value that is used by the SD card host device to identify the SD card and to determine its capabilities.