Disable USB Ports using Registry WinXP

 If a USB storage device is already installed on the computer, you can change the registry to make sure that the device does not work when the user connects to the computer.

This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

If a USB storage device is already installed on the computer, set the Start value in the following registry key to 4:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor

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_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor

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.