How do you stop users from connecting to USB storage devices

 

If a USB storage device is not already installed on the computer

If a USB storage device is not already installed on the computer, assign the user or the group Deny permissions to the following files:

  • %SystemRoot%InfUsbstor.pnf
  • %SystemRoot%InfUsbstor.inf

When you do this, users cannot install a USB storage device on the computer. To assign a user or group Deny permissions to the Usbstor.pnf and Usbstor.inf files, follow these steps:

  1. Start Windows Explorer, and then locate the %SystemRoot%Inf folder.
  2. Right-click the Usbstor.pnf file, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Security tab.
  4. In the Group or user names list, click the user or group that you want to set Deny permissions for.
  5. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control, and then click OK.
    Note Also add the System account to the Deny list.
  6. Right-click the Usbstor.inf file, and then click Properties.
  7. Click the Security tab.
  8. In the Group or user names list, click the user or group that you want to set Deny permissions for.
  9. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control, and then click OK.
If a USB storage device is already installed on the computer, set the Start value in the following registry key to 4:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUsbStor

When you do this, the USB storage device does not work when the user connects the device to the computer. To set the Start value, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
  3. Locate and then click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUsbStor

  4. In the details pane, double-click Start.
  5. In the Value data box, type 4, click Hexadecimal (if it is not already selected), and then click OK.
  6. Exit Registry Editor.