Disable Access to USB Mass Storage Drive

[topgear]

This hack will disable access to the usb flash drive
also known as usb mas storage drive ( also usb hard
disks but not sure as I don't have one).

Goto start > run > and type in regedit and press enter.
This will open registry editor window. Now go to the
following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\USBSTOR

Right click on the key and select export and save a backup copy in case
anything goes wrong. Now on the right pan of the regedit window double
click on the value called Start & set it value to 4 & click OK.

When you need to use your USB mass storage drive just change the value of
Start to 3.

If you're too lazy just copy & paste these codes into a notepad
file and save it with a .reg extension.

code for Disable access to the usb mass storage drive :


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\USBSTOR]
"Start"=dword:00000004


code for enable access to the usb mass storage drive :


REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\USBSTOR]
"Start"=dword:00000003

[topgear]

Why bother with bios settings when you can enable or disable
Access to the usb mass storage drives from within windows with
Simple mouse clicks ( provided you created 2 separate reg files )
Without restarting your computer.

[valtea]

thats alot. just to confirm ... this will not disable other usb devices?

[motobuntu]

i think disabling usb ports from bios is a better option

Problem with disabling usb ports from BIOS is that, it will also block ur USB keyboard, mouse etc. While using the trick mentioned here only usb mass storage devices can be blocked.

[New]

Thanks for the good tip.

[ratedrsuperstar]

thnx

[topgear]

thats alot. just to confirm ... this will not disable other usb devices?

No. This will only disable USB Mass Storage Drive like usb pen drive, usb hard disk.

I am using my usb web cam with this retriction enabled without no problem.

Thanks guys for your comments

[kpmsivachand]

Thanks for sharing good tip dude...

[topgear]

^^ My pleasure buddy

[vaibhavtek]

thanks a lot

[topgear]

you're welcome vaibhavtek

[ashfame]

One of my visitor asked me and I don't know what can solve the problem.
Can someone tell me the solution of this query? (http://blog.ashfame.com/2008/01/enable-disable-access-usb-mass-storage-device/#comment-1462)

[ajayritik]

Thanks Top Gear for the tip!

[NucleusKore]

It can also be done through TweakUI in your Control Panel if you have installed it

[ax3]

cool .....

[vaibhavtek]

The source is this (http://maverickshaunt.blogspot.com/2008/01/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage.html)..!!!

[karnivore]

It can also be done through TweakUI in your Control Panel if you have installed it

Can u please elaborate on how to do it. i have TweakUI, but can't qite figure out.

[Arsenal_Gunners]

The source is this (http://maverickshaunt.blogspot.com/2008/01/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage.html)..!!!
Isn't it a bit strange that the 'source' article was submitted AFTER this thread had been made?

[pushkaraj]

Isn't it a bit strange that the 'source' article was submitted AFTER this thread had been made?

Hmmmm...very strange..... :confused:

@topgear, thanx yaar, thats a really nice trick :)

[Pathik]

The source is this (http://maverickshaunt.blogspot.com/2008/01/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage.html)..!!!
Pure genius I say. :D
Isn't it a bit strange that the 'source' article was submitted AFTER this thread had been made?
He should rightfully be the NOTM(illenium) :D
wat say?

[topgear]

The source is this (http://maverickshaunt.blogspot.com/2008/01/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage.html)..!!!

Are U out of your mind ? Thats not the source.

I've never ripped off any kind of tutorials.

Any way thank you for informing this. Now do check the link .

That bullshit guy of that blog just ripped off my tute

@ pathik..........

LOLZ pathik.

[gagandeep]

The source is this (http://maverickshaunt.blogspot.com/2008/01/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage.html)..!!!
My dear friend vaibhavtek,
I've a very good advise for you. Everyone isn't a COPY-PASTER like you. So, don't think that everyone is like you. I may be rude but I am being for your own benefit. Hope, you'll look into it.
Your friend,
Gagan

@topgear: nice tutorial.............:D

[topgear]

^^ Thank you very much. You've just spoken what I was trying to say to vaibhavtek

[nvidia]

@vailbav: Can you mention the source of your user title??

@topgear: Thanks for the tut:)

[topgear]

^^ Thanks bro.

[gagandeep]

@vailbav: Can you mention the source of your user title??

I can surely mention.............Pathik's user title

[karnivore]

This tut is a real handy one. Seriously. Now i don't have to use any s/w for this. Click on the reg files and am done.

Absolutely brilliant.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x31/trash609/awesomecurve1.gif

[topgear]

thanks for ur kind comments

[magneticme200]

does it evn disallow nebdy to copy data from the same as well??
if not...thn is thre any way that i can protect my usb drive from being opened by nebdy in case its stolen or something...
ie...
if i cud set a passwrd or something in my usb drive..??
so tht as soon as one opens the drive..it shud ask fr an already set password..!

[gagandeep]

does it evn disallow nebdy to copy data from the same as well??
if not...thn is thre any way that i can protect my usb drive from being opened by nebdy in case its stolen or something...
ie...
if i cud set a passwrd or something in my usb drive..??
so tht as soon as one opens the drive..it shud ask fr an already set password..!
First of all it will not make your USB drive write protected. It will just disable that particular computer to access the USB drive. But you can surely access your USB drive on other computers........

[topgear]

if not...thn is thre any way that i can protect my usb drive from being opened by nebdy in case its stolen or something...
ie...
if i cud set a passwrd or something in my usb drive..??
so tht as soon as one opens the drive..it shud ask fr an already set password..!

You need some kind of usb flash drive or hdd encryption software for that.
Search Google :)

[bitmaster]

The answer to write protect a pen drive is here:

http://penprotectorenglish.wordpress.com (http://penprotectorenglish.wordpress.com/)

You can make USB write protected as floppy.
This software emulate hardware lock switch.
No more virus problems coming via USB.


Bye.

[topgear]

^^ Are you just advertising that product.
There's not even a trial version to download.
Also my method is all about " Do It Yourself " Not using any kind of special
software.