Disable USB Ports in Windows
You must be familiar with the term USB ports. This can be found on any desktop or on laptop computers too. This article especially tells you the ways to disable USB ports on any Windows PC.
Before we start, let us discuss the System USB ports.
However, you must be aware of the USB ports on the computer, but still let me brief you a little about it. If somebody does not know about USB ports, this can help that person.
In computer language, a USB port stands for Universal Serial Bus port that helps USB devices to connect each other with the help of serial cable for communication between both devices.
By doing this, you can transfer any data digitally after a stable connection of both devices (computer and USB device). For example, you can use USB ports to connect a flash drive, USB keyboard or USB mouse.
Benefits of Disabling USB Ports
I am not denying that USB ports are useful. By using system USB ports, you can connect to any flash drive or a pen drive for data transfer, to connect to any USB printer, USB speakers, USB scanners, and connect digital cameras to transfer photos and videos.
Nevertheless, what if you do not use most of them and access your system for browsing or knowledge purposes only?
Several times not intestinally, if some of your friends or family members connect their USB flash drive or camera just to transfer data, but who knows that the devices they connected to your system are not infected with viruses.
Most viruses and malware come from data transfer devices such as pen drives.
Denying anyone not to connect a USB device to your system feels very awkward. Instead, you can disable USB ports easily.
Disable USB Ports with Windows Registry
The following post will let you how simple it is to disable computer USB ports.
Though there are several methods, I will tell you how to do it using the registry editor.
Follow the below given steps one-by-one and disable USB ports with the help of Windows registry editor.
We are going to make a few changes on to the Windows registry so before we start, stay safe and side take the back of your registry then continue with the steps below:
[Read: How to Backup and Restore Windows Registry?]
Most Important: Trick given below, may also disable access to any USB connected peripheral devices. Therefore, do not follow the below given steps if you have a USB connected mouse or keyboard.
I have done some experiments to check this:
In my case, I have connected a wireless mouse with its USB receiver to my laptop (Windows 10). I did all the below steps and rest all USB ports were disabled, but my mouse is still functional.
Then, I tested it on one of my Windows 7 desktop, which has a Wireless USB connected keyboard, and a different USB wired mouse that is already connected.
Did the below steps and my keyboard and mouse are working apart then, I connected a USB pen drive and it won’t recognize. This works for me.
Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Once open, type regedit and hit the Enter button or click OK to open Windows Registry Editor.
Step 2. For Windows Registry Editor, we need to navigate to the path given below:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR
- To the right panel, you will see the key Start and its data value “3” (Image 1)
- Double click on Start key and Edit DWORD (32-bit) value will open on screen
- Change the value data from 3 to 4 in order to disable the USB ports of your computer (Image 2)
By doing the above steps, it will instantly affect your Windows system.
Now, if you connect any USB pen drive or flash drive in this system, it will not detect.
Enable USB Ports or Make USB Ports Settings to Default
If you would like to enable USB ports back as they were working before then, reach out on the same registry path given above on Step 2 and change the value data to 3.
This will make the USB port settings to default and the system USB ports will be functional.
This trick will also work on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 as well as on Windows 11 too.
It could be a good trick or a way to make your system unassailable for malware or viruses spread through USB ports or any kind of malware attack to the Windows.
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