How to block the auto detection of USB storage devices in Windows 7

When you insert an USB memory device as a USB pen drive or external hard drive, Windows 7 automatically detects it. If you do not want anyone using the machine to use data stored on a USB device, there is a way to disable USB storage recognition.

Click “Start“, then type “regedit” (without the quotation marks) in the search field and hit Enter and accept the security prompt:

Windows registry editor will open. Go to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > USBSTOR

In the right pane, change the DWORD value named “Start” and set its value “4” (default value is “3”); just double clicking the DWORD value will provoke a window and allow you to make the change:

Finally, you must restart Windows 7 to apply the change.

We have made ready made registry files so that, you can Enable / Disable auto detection of USB storage devices in Windows 7 by just double clicking them.

Download the file by clicking here

After you unzip the compressed folder, you will get 4 files inside; one is link to this website, second one a read me file and (most importantly) two registry files:

To Disable your Windows 7 to auto detect any usb mass storage device, simply double click Disable usb drive recognition registy file.

To Enable your Windows 7 to auto detect any usb mass storage device (Default), simply double click Enable usb drive recognition registy file.