Sometimes you need to disable USB ports on a computer or laptop to restrict access to connecting flash drives, hard drives and other USB devices. Disabling the USB ports will help prevent the connection of any drives that could be used for theft important information or cause a computer to become infected with a virus and spread malware software By local network.
Consider 7 ways, with which you can block USB ports:
If disabling via BIOS does not suit you, you can block access directly in Windows itself using the registry.
The instructions below allow you to block access to various USB drives (for example, flash drives), but other devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners will still work.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR
Click OK, close Registry Editor, and restart your computer.
The above method only works when installed driver USB controller. If for security reasons the driver has not been installed, the value of the "Start" parameter can be automatically reset to "3" when the user connects USB stick and Windows will install the driver.
This method doesn't always work. In the example shown in the figure above, disabling the controllers (the first 2 points) did not lead to the desired result. Disabling the 3rd item (USB mass storage device) worked, but it only allows you to disable a single instance of the USB drive.
Alternatively, you can simply uninstall the USB controller driver to disable the ports. But the disadvantage of this method is that when the user connects a USB drive, Windows will check for drivers and, if they are not available, will offer to install the driver. This in turn will open access to the USB device.
Another way to disable access to USB drives is to use Microsoft Fix It 50061(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823732/ru - the link may open in a few minutes). The essence of this method lies in the fact that 2 conditions for solving the problem are considered:
Within the framework of this article, we will not consider this method in detail, especially since you can study it in detail on the Microsoft website using the link above.
It should also be taken into account that this method Not suitable for all versions of Windows OS.
There are many programs for setting the prohibition of access to USB ports. Consider one of them - the program USB Drive Disabler.
The program has a simple set of settings that allow you to deny / allow access to certain drives. Also, USB Drive Disabler allows you to configure alerts and access levels.
Although physically disabling the USB ports on motherboard is an almost impossible task, you can disable the ports located on the front or top of the computer case by disconnecting the cable that goes to the motherboard. This method will not completely close access to USB ports, but it will reduce the likelihood of using drives by inexperienced users and those who are simply too lazy to connect devices to the back of the system unit.
! Addition
In modern Windows versions it is possible to restrict access to removable storage devices (including USB drives) using the local editor group policy.
This section of Local Group Policy allows you to configure read, write, and execute access for different classes of removable media.
USB ports may stop functioning if the drivers have crashed, the BIOS settings, or the connectors have received mechanical damage. The second case is often found among owners of a recently purchased or assembled computer, as well as those who decide to install an additional USB port on the motherboard or those who have previously reset the BIOS settings.
The BIOS is divided into several versions and developers, therefore, the interface may differ significantly in each of them, but the functionality remains the same for the most part.
This is the most common developer of basic I / O systems with a standard interface. The instruction for it looks like this:
BIOS versions from developers such as Phoenix-Award and AMI have similar functionality, so they will be considered in one version. The instructions for setting up USB ports in this case look like this:
UEFI is a more modern analogue of BIOS with a graphical interface and the ability to control using a mouse, but in general their functionality is very similar. The instruction under UEFI will look like this:
Connecting USB ports will not be difficult, regardless of the BIOS version. After connecting them, you can connect a USB mouse and keyboard to your computer. If they were connected before, then their work will become more stable.
This article focuses on the question of how to enable USB support in the BIOS. As it turns out, not all users know that the functions of the Universal Serial Bus (in Russian interpretation - "Universal Serial Bus") can be enabled and configured through BIOS Setup. We will not focus on the circumstances due to which you may need this operation - they may be different. For example, you find that the USB devices on your computer are slower than they should be, and you want to check if your computer's BIOS supports the latest version of the standard for this bus.
To get started, enter BIOS Setup when booting your computer and laptop. How to do this, was devoted to a separate article on our website. However, it is worth noting that the BIOS section with USB functions is not always evident to the user. In addition, for different BIOS manufacturers in its different versions, bus management functions can be placed in different sections. These can be Advanced, Integrated Peripherals, Onboard Devices, etc.
It may, of course, happen that the section with the USB function settings in the BIOS of your laptop or desktop computer simply no. This situation can most often occur in laptops in which the number of available to the user There aren't many options at all. In the BIOS of my HP netbook, for example, I did not find such an option, no matter how I searched. Well, then, it's not fate ...
The number and set of USB functions that you can adjust in the BIOS can also vary greatly depending on the version. Often in Setup you can set support for a USB mouse and keyboard attached external drives. You can also disable/enable connectivity altogether. USB devices or enable support for a specific version, such as USB 2.0.
List of the most common USB options (in different versions BIOS may have different names):
Once you've set the option you want, don't forget to save it by selecting the BIOS Setup "Exit and Save Changes" option to restart your computer.
When setting USB options in the BIOS, however, you should be aware that setting them incorrectly can lead to the inoperability of any devices permanently connected to the universal serial bus, such as a keyboard or mouse.
In this article, you learned how to enable USB support, as well as set USB options in the BIOS of a computer or laptop. As a rule, this operation is quite simple and will not take you much time.
If the USB ports on your PC are not working and windows settings and driver updates do not help, perhaps the controller was disabled in the BIOS. In this case, you will need to go to the configuration menu and turn everything back on.
There are many various versions BIOS with their interfaces and subtleties of work. Also, a more modern complex can work on your computer - UEFI, which supports a full-fledged graphical interface. This article discusses distributions that are most often installed on motherboards.
To start changing the configuration, you need to get into the corresponding menu. It can be opened during power on personal computer- before it started Windows boot from the hard drive.
Turn on the PC. In case it's already running: reboot. Wait for the speaker to beep: a short single beep indicates that all the internal components necessary for the operation of the computer have been detected.
Now you need to press hotkey to call the configuration. This must be done before changing the screen. If you didn’t have time, and Windows started loading, reboot. The keys depend on the installed motherboard model and version. BIOS firmware. You can find it in the user manual that came with the motherboard, on the official website of the manufacturer or view on your PC screen when loading it:
If you don't know the board model, it's okay. Just try pressing the following keys: Tab , Delete , Esc , F1 , F2 , F8 , F10 , F11 , F12 . One of them will surely fit..
It is not necessary to try only 1 option at a time. You can quickly click all the buttons from the list without any problems. One of them will come up and start the BIOS settings, and the rest will be ignored.
Your PC or laptop will restart in setup mode. After restarting the PC, you will also be able to select option to run from a USB drive or DVD disc.
Almost all BIOS versions are deprived GUI. This means that you will only have to work using the keyboard, as, for example, in the Windows console. Navigation is carried out using the up-down and right-left arrows. To open any section, use the Enter key to go back - "Escape". A small memo on the keys used is always shown on the screen.
Firmware complex UEFI installed on the most expensive and powerful motherboards. It supports more drivers and able to work with a mouse. Its interface will be familiar Windows users and other modern operating systems.
Each version has its own interface and set of options. Even the names of the same parameters may differ. The following article describes several popular BIOS releases.
A very common option that can be found on many modern computers. The main menu is divided into 2 parts: a list of categories and various actions like exit or save. You will work on the left side.
You need to go to the section called " Integrated Peripherals". There is no Russian version of the interface, so all commands are in English only. Use the Down arrow to highlight this item and press Enter .
Here you need to enable Enabled) 4 options:
In some older versions, there are only 2 items " USB controller" And " Legacy USB storage support».
When you're done with the settings, press the F10 key to save your changes and restart your computer.
Another popular version that can often be found on modern laptops. Doesn't have home page, like AMI, but equipped with convenient thematic tabs at the top. You can move between sections using the "left" - "right" arrows, and between items - using the "up" and "down" arrows.
Go to the section " Advanced» using the Right arrow. Find the category " USB configuration". All paragraphs of this section must be translated into the provision " Enabled". In some versions, the category " USB configuration” may be in the tab “ Peripherals” and not in “Advanced”.
To exit the menu, press F10 and confirm exit.
AMI version used on Asus laptops. Outwardly, it is very similar to Phoenix - a similar bookmarks bar. Settings USB are in the section Advanced". Go there, enable all options and exit with the F10 button.
Contrary to popular belief, UEFI is not part of the BIOS. It can rather be called a more advanced, but less popular competitor. Exists a large number of different versions, each with its own interfaces. However, here the control is similar to the familiar Windows, so you can easily find the options you need.
If at the BIOS level all ports and controllers are enabled, but the USB ports still do not work, there may be a problem in your settings. Windows systems.
First, just try disconnect and reconnect the device. This will cause the drivers to be validated. If something is wrong with them, Windows will try to reinstall them.
If nothing happens when reconnecting, try turn on the controller V Windows registry. To do this, do the following:
