In some companies, there is the need to disable the USB storage devices, in order to prevent employees to copy sensitive data of the company, or to prevent the risk of malware that may run from a USB storage device.
In this tutorial you will find instructions on how to disable the USB removable devices such as USB drives on Windows 10/8/7 OS or in Windows Server 2016/2012.
How to Disable the Access to USB Drives in Windows.
Method 1. Disable USB Storages Devices from Registry.
* Note: This method works on all Windows 10, 8 or 7 Editions (Home and Professional) and in Windows Server versions.
To block USB drives in Windows using Registry:
1. Press simultaneously the Windows 
+ R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type regedit & press Enter.
3. Navigate to the following key at the left pane:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUsbStor
4. At the right pane, double click at Start value.
5. Change the value data from 3 to 4 and click OK. *
* Note: Switch this value data back to 3, and USB storage devices will be enabled again.
6. Close the Registry Editor and disconnect any USB drives. *
* Note: The restriction does not work for already connected USB drives.
7. Restart your PC.
8. From now on, all USB drives are blocked and will not be accessible, with error: “Location in not available. Drive is not accessible. Access is denied“. *
Method 2. Disable Access to USB Disks using Group Policy. *
* Note: This method works in Windows 10, 8 or 7 Professional versions and in Windows Server versions.
To prevent the access to all Removable Storage Devices in Windows using Policy:
1. Press simultaneously the Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type gpedit.msc & Press Enter.
3. At the left pane navigate to:
- Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Access
4. At the right pane open the Removable Disks: Deny read access policy.
5. Set the policy setting to Enabled and click OK.
6. Close the Group Policy Editor and disconnect any connected USB drives. *
* Note: The restriction does not work for already connected USB drives.
7. Restart your PC.
8. After restart if you connect a USB storage device and you try to access it you’ll receive the error: “Location in not available. Drive is not accessible. Access is denied“. *
That’s all folks! Which method worked for you? Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post in the social networks to help spread the word about this solution.
