HowTo: Disable the USB Port

For enormous IT managers USB port can still model a threat to organization's security. So, a quick registry edit can disable the USB port of any system (using Microsoft OS). This is a registry edit so be sure to backup your registry first and know how to restore it in case something terrible happens.

To disable the access to USB port, in windows 2000/XP/Vista:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.


2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.


3. Locate, and then click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor


4. In the right pane, double-click Start.


5. In the Value data box, type 4, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.


6. Quit Registry Editor.

To re-enable a disabled port:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.


2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.


3. Locate, and then click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor


4. In the right pane, double-click Start.


5. In the Value data box, type 3, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.


6. Quit Registry Editor.