Windows 7: USB Storage Device - Enable or Disable Connecting

   Information

This tutorial will show you how enable or disable USB storage devices for all users in XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

When disabled (prevented), Windows will no longer allow read and write access to all USB storage devices connected afterwards for all users.

Any USB storage device still connected when set to be disabled will still have read and write access until either the USB storage device is disconnected or you log off, restart, or shut down the computer.

This only affects USB storage devices like a USB flash drive or an external USB hard drive. It does not affect wireless keyboard/mouse USB adapters, wireless USB modems, etc.....

OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable USB Storage Devices using a REG File Download

1. To Disable USB Storage Devices in Windows

A) If you have not ever already done so, you must connect a USB storage device (ex: USB flash drive) to the computer now, and wait until Windows installs it and displays it in the Computer window with an assigned drive letter, then disconnect it.
NOTE: This only needs to be done once with any USB storage device.

B) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.

Disable_USB_Storage_Devices.reg

2. To Enable USB Storage Devices in Windows
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.

Enable_USB_Storage_Devices.reg

3. Save the .reg file to your Desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8), Yes, and then OK.

6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable USB Storage Devices Manually in Registry Edititor

1. If you have not ever already done so, you must connect a USB storage device (ex: USB flash drive) to the computer now, and wait until Windows installs it and displays it in the Computer window with an assigned drive letter, then disconnect it.
NOTE: This only needs to be done once with any USB storage device.

2. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.

3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7/8).

4. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\USBSTOR

5. To Enable USB Storage Devices in Windows
NOTE: This is the default setting.

A) In the right pane of USBSTOR, double click/tap on Start to modify it. (see screenshot below step 4)

B) Type in 3, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

6. To Disable USB Storage Devices in Windows

A) In the right pane of USBSTOR, double click/tap on Start to modify it. (see screenshot below step 4)

B) Type in 4, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below step 5B)

7. Close regedit.