How to Lock Usb Port in Windows 10
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How often have you experienced,
A USB port blocked at school, college or in your workplace because the administrator has disabled USB drive detection for security purpose.
Or you may be experienced any of these conditions,
- Not allowed to inject a pen drive at the local Internet Cyber Cafe,
- Being a victim of data theft because someone connected an unauthorized USB to your computer,
- Computer getting infected by virus or malware from USB Drive
I believe, many a times.
Enabling/Disabling computer USB Port is done either to follow security rules or just to prevent malicious activity from taking place. Let's look at how to disable USB Port in Windows 10.
There are 5 ways an Administrator or a Computer Owner can prevent the use of USB Drives.
- Use the Device Manger To Disable USB Ports
- By Uninstalling USB Mass Storage Drivers
- Block USB Port in Windows 10 through Registry
- Block USB Port in Windows 10 through Group Policy
- Use USB Drive Disabler/Enabler
Let's look at all the 5 ways of how to disable USB Port in windows 10.
Use The Device Manger To Disable USB Ports
To open device manager one can use any one of the following ways.
- Open Run Program by pressing 'Windows Key + R' then type 'devmgmt.msc' and press enter. That will open the Device Manager.
- Right Click the 'Start Button' and select 'Device Manger'
- Right Click 'This PC' and select 'Device Manger' from top left corner
- Start typing 'Device Manger' in the search box located at bottom right, after the start button and select when it appears.
Once the Device Manger is opened drop down the Universal Serial Bus Controllers, at the bottom of the window. Click on 'USB Root Hub – Name of this option may vary depending upon your computer.
Then select the Action button on the top of the device manager window.
And further click on 'Disable Device'.
That's it, this is one way of how to disable USB ports in windows 10 computer. If it doesn't disable it completely, try disabling 'USB Root Hub'
Similarly, you can follow the same steps to enable USB Ports.
Uninstalling USB Mass Storage Drivers
USB driver windows 10, if uninstalled can restrict any one to use USB in your computer.
This activity is performed to restrict USB Mass Storage Devices from getting detected automatically.
This is widely used in most of Schools, Colleges, Local Libraries, and Internet Cyber Cafes. You can keep using your USB mouse after disabling this option, as this only disables USB mass storage devices.
For performing this action, one must again use the 'Device Manager'.
Click on the Universal Bus Controllers and select USB Mass Storage Device
Now right click on USB Mass Storage Device and click on 'Disable Device'.
All USB Mass Storage Devices connected to the computer will get disabled. This is one of the easiest way to lock down USB ports.
Block USB Port in Windows 10 through Registry
Open Registry Editor by typing in 'regedit' after clicking on the Start Button or directly start typing in the search box provided next to the Start Button.
Another way to open Registry Editor is to press Windows key + R, to open Run Program – then type in regedit and press enter
Then select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
After that you should select SYSTEM
Following SYSTEM, you should select CurrentControlSet
After CurrentControlSet, select Services
In the Services section scroll down to find USBSTOR. Click on USBSTOR and then Click Start on the right hand side.
Replace the value data 3 by value data 4, to disable USB port.
These are the exact steps of how to disable USB port in Windows 10 through registry. This will make the USB devices disabled from use, so be careful while using USB peripheral devices
Also Read: How to fix windows can't open this file
Block USB Port in Windows 10 through Group Policy
By default, Windows 10 Home Edition does not come with a Group Policy Editor. Download GPEDIT.msc Installer and then copy "GroupPolicy" Folder, "GroupPolicyUsers" Folder, and gpedit.msc file from C:\Windows\SysWOW64 folder and paste in C:\Windows\System32 folder.
Now you can open the Group Policy Editor to disable USB Port in Windows 10 computer.
Open run program by pressing Windows + R key and then type "gpedit.msc"
On the left pane click on "Computer Configuration" then "Administrative Templates" followed by "System" as you select System, click on the "Removable Storage Access" on the right pane.
When you click on "Removable Storage Access," new options will appear in the right pane. Look for the options that say "Removable Disks: Deny execute access, Deny Read Access, Deny Write Access" and click on them.
There will be three options on the left hand side, which are Not configured, Enabled and Disabled.
Click on "Enabled" to disable the Removable Storage Access. That will act like a USB blocker and will block USB storage devices to gain access to the computer.
Also Read: How to Use Nexus Font in Windows 10
Use USB Drive Disabler/Enabler
You can also block USB storage devices by downloading and using a free drive disabler/enabler which will allow you to easily disable and enable USB drives on your Windows 10 Computer. A tool called Intelli Admin
This is the easiest and safest way to lock USB drive and it's so simple that you just have to disable USB ports and select apply, that will create a USB port lock. You can even enable USB by a click of a button.
Conclusion
All the methods on how to disable USB port in Windows 10 will require Administrative Rights.
There may be different reasons to disable USB, but the most important thing is to keep your data safe. Let me know which method do you think will be useful for you to try. Do let me know in the comments section below.
How to Lock Usb Port in Windows 10
Source: https://www.roboniqe.com/how-to-disable-usb-port-in-windows-10/