This wikiHow teaches you how to disable USB ports on a PC. While useful, USB ports also present a security risk if left active on a shared computer. You can disable ports through the Device Manager and Registry Editor programs on Windows computers. Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to turn off USB ports on Mac computers.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Device Manager
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
You can also right-click on the " Start ” if you want to select the “Device Manager” option from the advanced menu.
Step 2. Open the Device Manager program
Type device manager into the "Start" menu, then click " Device Manager ” at the top of the search results list.
If you right click the menu " Start ", click " Device Manager ” in the displayed menu.
Step 3. Scroll to the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section
It's in the "U" section at the bottom of the "Device Manager" window.
Step 4. Expand the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section
Double-click the title to expand the segment. You should now see some of the more indented options under the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" heading.
Skip this step if the segment is already expanded
Step 5. Select the “Root Hub” option or any other built-in USB option
The name of the option may differ depending on the computer. However, the option usually displays the words "USB 3.0" next to it.
Step 6. Click Actions
This tab is at the top of the “Device Manager” window. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 7. Click Disable Device
This option is in the drop-down menu. After that, the computer's built-in USB adapter will be disabled.
Step 8. Turn off the remaining USB option under segments
Although most entries or other USB devices in the "Universal Serial Bus controllers" section will be deleted when you disable the built-in USB adapter, there may still be one or more USB options left. Turn off these options by clicking on the options, selecting “ Action ", choose " Disable Device ”, and repeating the same steps until each option is turned off.
Step 9. Close the Device Manager program
The computer's USB port is no longer usable.
If you need to re-enable the USB port, reopen the Device Manager program, select the USB option, click “ Action ", choose " Enable Device ”, and repeat the steps until all USB options are restored.
Method 2 of 2: Using Registry
Step 1. Open Notepad
You need to use Windows' built-in Notepad application to create a Registry script that works to disable USB ports. To open Notepad, follow these steps:
-
Click the menu Start ”
Windowsstart - Type in notepad.
- Click " Notepad ” in the search results.
Step 2. Add "disable" script to Notepad
Paste the following script into the Notepad window:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR] "Start"=dword:00000004 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR\Enum] "Count"=dword:000000000 "dNextInstance"=dword:0000000"
Step 3. Click File
It's in the upper-left corner of the Notepad window. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click Save As…
This option is in the drop-down menu. Once clicked, the “Save As” window will open.
Step 5. Enter a file name, followed by the ".reg" extension
In the " File name " field, type the name you want to use for the file, then enter a.reg extension at the end of the name to indicate that the file must be opened through the Registry Editor program.
For example, if you want to name the file as "USB-off", type USB-off.reg into the " File name " field
Step 6. Click the “Save as type” drop-down box
This box is at the bottom of the window. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 7. Click All Files
This option is in the drop-down menu.
Step 8. Select the Desktop folder
This folder is in the left pane of the “Save As” window.
You may need to slide the left pane of the “Save As” window up or down until you find the “ Desktop ”.
Step 9. Click Save
It's in the lower-right corner of the "Save As" window. The file will be saved to the desktop afterwards.
Step 10. Run the file
Double click the file to run it.
If there is still a USB fast drive (or other USB device you want to disable) connected to your computer, first unplug or remove the drive
Step 11. Confirm the command
Click Yes ” twice when prompted, then click “ OK ” when you get a notification that the command was executed successfully. At this point, the computer's USB port is turned off.
Step 12. Change the script file to re-enable the USB port
If you need to re-enable the USB port, right-click the Notepad document and select “ Edit ”, then replace the third line with the following script and press Ctrl+S key:
"Start"=dword:00000003
