Disable USB ports on Windows PC via Registry (2024)

With this trick, you can disable access to USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports on your Windows based PC to prevent people from taking out data without permission or spreading viruses through the use of USB (pen and flash) drives.

Note: This trick also disables access to your USB connected peripheral devices. So, do not use it if you have a USB connected keyboard, mouse or any other peripheral device without which your computer might become inoperable

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To use this trick to disable USB ports, follow the steps given below:-

1. Click on Start. Go to Run. Users running Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista, go to Search > Run. Alternatively, use the Windows key+R keyboard shortcut to directly open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit" without quotes and press Enter. This will launch the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbstor from the left hand column.
4. In the work area of the usbstor key, double click on Start.
5. In the following Value Data box, enter 4.
6. Click on OK.
7. Close the Registry Editor. If USB ports are still accessible, restart your computer.
8. To re-enable access to your USB ports, enter 3 in the Value Data box in Step 5.

Try this trick yourself to make your PC invulnerable to data theft and malware which spread through USB ports. This works on Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.