Disable Writing in USB pendrive

A common security concern at organizations is allowing users to plug in a usb flash drive, because they could so easily copy corporate data.

Since Windows XP SP2,& Above you can disable writing to USB devices altogether using a simple registry hack. Here it is:


Open your Notepad

type following n save it DisableUSB.reg


Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00



[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro​l\StorageDevicePolicies]

"WriteProtect"=dword:000000001


Now for EnableUSB.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00



[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Contro​l\StorageDevicePolicies]

"WriteProtect"=dword:00000000

Note:- Once you use the registry hack, you will have to reboot for the changes to take effect. One should also note that if you are using this trick, you should make sure that the users are not administrators on the because they could easily change this setting back.