DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Disable Access to USB Mass Storage Drive

32 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/disable-access-to-usb-mass-storage-drive.77208/

topgear
topgear Original post #1
Jan 2, 2008 at 8:09 PM
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\Services\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 :

Code:
REGEDIT4

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

code for enable access to the usb mass storage drive :

Code:
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR]
"Start"=dword:00000003
topgear
topgear #2
Jan 3, 2008 at 5:24 AM
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.
V
valtea #3
Jan 9, 2008 at 11:03 PM
thats alot. just to confirm ... this will not disable other usb devices?
motobuntu
Jan 10, 2008 at 1:28 AM
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
New #5
Jan 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Thanks for the good tip.
topgear
topgear #7
Jan 12, 2008 at 4:35 PM
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
K
Jan 21, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Thanks for sharing good tip dude...
topgear
topgear #9
Jan 22, 2008 at 8:40 PM
^^ My pleasure buddy
V
vaibhavtek #10
Jan 22, 2008 at 8:57 PM
thanks a lot
topgear
topgear #11
Jan 23, 2008 at 5:25 PM
you're welcome vaibhavtek
ashfame
ashfame #12
Jan 29, 2008 at 3:39 PM
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?
ajayritik
ajayritik #13
Jan 29, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Thanks Top Gear for the tip!
NucleusKore
Jan 29, 2008 at 6:23 PM
It can also be done through TweakUI in your Control Panel if you have installed it
V
vaibhavtek #15
Feb 18, 2008 at 4:47 PM
The source is this..!!!
karnivore
karnivore #16
Feb 18, 2008 at 5:13 PM
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.
pushkaraj
pushkaraj #18
Feb 19, 2008 at 9:25 AM
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 :)
topgear
topgear #20
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:12 PM
The source is this..!!!

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.
skeletor
skeletor #21
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:12 PM
The source is this..!!!
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
topgear #22
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:14 PM
^^ Thank you very much. You've just spoken what I was trying to say to vaibhavtek
nvidia
nvidia #23
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:15 PM
@vailbav: Can you mention the source of your user title??

@topgear: Thanks for the tut:)
topgear
topgear #24
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:17 PM
^^ Thanks bro.
karnivore
karnivore #26
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:23 PM
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.
*i180.photobucket.com/albums/x31/trash609/awesomecurve1.gif
topgear
topgear #27
Feb 19, 2008 at 8:32 PM
thanks for ur kind comments
M
Feb 24, 2008 at 12:51 PM
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..!
skeletor
skeletor #29
Feb 24, 2008 at 1:55 PM
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
topgear #30
Feb 24, 2008 at 7:19 PM
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 :)
B
bitmaster #31
Mar 19, 2008 at 12:25 AM
The answer to write protect a pen drive is here:

*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
topgear #32
Mar 20, 2008 at 7:21 PM
^^ 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.