How to disable USB Devices or Ports in Windows

If you have a computer with an open access to everyone, then you need to protect your data as it can get stolen through unauthorized USB Devices. Prevention of your computer from getting infected by a USB device full of viruses is very important.

This can be done by disabling the USB ports.

Here are the methods to disable USB ports, but, to do this; you need to have ADMINISTRATIVE rights to the computer.

1. Disable USB Drives and Mass Storage Devices using Registry Editor:

The simple step to disable USB is to edit the settings of Registry Editor:

• Press Windows + R Key, type “regedit” and press enter to open the registry editor
• Expend the following tabs from left pane.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR

• In the right pane, select Start and change the value to 4 (make sure to choose Hexadecimal and to enable the USB Ports enter value 3) and Click OK.

This will disable USB Ports.

2. Disable USB Ports from Device Manager:

Another way to disable USB is with the help of Device Manager. Open the device manager using any one of the methods:

• Click the Start button, click Control Panel, choose System and Security and click Device Manager.‌

OR

• Press Windows + R key, type devmgmt.msc and press enter.

This will open Device Manager. Now expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers under which you will see all the USB ports of your computer. Simply right click the available ports and choose disable.

3. Uninstall USB Mass Storage Drivers:

Like every other part of computer, USB ports also have drivers to function well.Uninstalling these drivers can prevent USB from connecting to computer. Though you can install the drivers later if you want to use the USB Devices.

 4. Using third-party tools:

You can download and use free third-party tools to enable or disable USB on your Windows computer.

By following these steps, you can secure your PC by restricting other users to attach a USB device with it.