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Author Topic: How do I disable a USB port?  (Read 3011 times)

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Euler

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How do I disable a USB port?
« on: June 30, 2009, 07:12:22 PM »

I want to disable the USB port that is in front of my computer.  The "why" isn't important.  I am running Windows XP.  I am not technologically too savvy.  I would appreciate anybody's help.  Thanks.
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Diogenes The Cynic

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2009, 07:15:26 PM »

Hammer.
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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2009, 07:16:37 PM »

Go to BIOS, see if there's a feature to turn off all USB ports. It will be an ALL OR NOTHING option, most likely.
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digitalfour

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2009, 07:18:57 PM »

You may be able to take the computer apart and unplug the USB cable to the motherboard.
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rookie

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2009, 07:26:20 PM »

The "why" isn't important.

but inquiring minds want to know
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Do yourself a favor.

Jetfire

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2009, 07:28:23 PM »

Thats easy. Right click computer and select properties, select the tab labeled hardware, click device manager. you'll see a list of components on your computer. Unload the Universal Serial Bus contollers and right click all the ones you want to disable and select disable.


Or you can try and google and double check if what i'm saying since i havent used xp in a while.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2009, 07:29:58 PM by Dave »
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fatcat

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2009, 07:59:19 PM »

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blackie

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2009, 08:10:33 PM »

You may be able to take the computer apart and unplug the USB cable to the motherboard.
best solution
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Jetfire

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2009, 08:16:55 PM »

I wouldnt recommend it if you dont know what your looking at.
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mikehz

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2009, 08:21:47 PM »

Forget the hammer. Just stick a piece of chewing gum into the opening.
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freeAgent

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2009, 08:27:40 PM »

Thats easy. Right click computer and select properties, select the tab labeled hardware, click device manager. you'll see a list of components on your computer. Unload the Universal Serial Bus contollers and right click all the ones you want to disable and select disable.


Or you can try and google and double check if what i'm saying since i havent used xp in a while.

This is the way to do it, but it's easily undone.  You can open up the case and unplug the front-mounted USB ports from the motherboard where they connect.  The plugs on the motherboard are going to be rectangular shaped and something like 16 pins...not sure.  Of course, that's slightly risky if you break it and can't put it back the way it was.

A permanent but easy solution is to take a hot glue gun and fill the ports.  A lot of companies do this to prevent employees from using unapproved devices with their computers.  Of course, make sure the computer is powered off and unplugged before doing this or opening up the case.
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Jetfire

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2009, 08:34:53 PM »

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\ Control\StorageDevicePolicies

Now add a new DWORD called WriteProtect and put the value as 0 to disable write privileges to the USB port. To reverse the step, either delete the WriteProtect REG_DWORD or toggle the value to 1 which will enable the port.

4. Quit Registry Editor.
5. Restart Windows.


If you like to go a step further and disable users from connecting USB storage devices to their computers, here's the trick:

Open registry and navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet \Services\UsbStor

Now in the right pane, double-click Start and type 4 in the Value data box (Hexadecimal) and quite the registry editor. To enable the USB storage devices, change the Start value back to 3.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2009, 08:54:47 PM by Dave »
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Russell Griswold

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2009, 09:04:23 PM »

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\ Control\StorageDevicePolicies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet \Services\UsbStor

No spaces on those.  :P
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BonerJoe

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #13 on: June 30, 2009, 09:21:46 PM »

Use a 486. Problem solved.
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Russell Griswold

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Re: How do I disable a USB port?
« Reply #14 on: June 30, 2009, 09:31:41 PM »

Use a 486. Problem solved.

Haha!  :lol:
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