What are the ways to disable the USB port of the computer?

In the IT management of enterprises and educational institutions, it has become a common requirement to disable the USB port (or USB interface) on the computer for security and data protection reasons. Misuse of USB ports can lead to data breaches, malware spread, and unauthorized device use.

1. Disable the USB port via BIOS settings

Most computers' motherboard BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) provides the option to disable the USB port. This is the most straightforward and basic method. Users can press a specific key (e.g. F2, F10, Delete, etc., depending on the motherboard model) to enter the BIOS setup interface when the computer is turned on, and then find options such as "USB Controller" or "USB Configuration" in "Security", "Advanced" or similar tabs, and set it to "Disabled" to disable the USB port. Note, however, that this method disables all USB ports, including those used for necessary devices such as mice, keyboards, etc., so make sure you have an alternative before using them.

Second, use the registry editor to disable the USB port

For Windows operating systems, users can also disable the USB port by modifying the registry. This method is more flexible than BIOS settings and can be disabled for specific types of USB devices such as storage devices, cameras, etc. Note, however, that modifying the registry incorrectly may cause system instability or boot failure, so be sure to back up the registry before proceeding.

1. Open the Run dialog box (Win+R), type regedit and press enter to open the registry editor.
2. Navigate to one of the following paths (depending on the type of USB device you wish to disable):
   • 禁用所有USB存储设备：HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
   • Disable devices such as USB cameras: You may need to look for device-specific keys
3. Right-click on the selected key, select "New" - > "DWORD (32-bit) Value", named it Start (modify it directly if it already exists).
4. Set the value of Start to 4 to disable the service.

3. Use Group Policy to disable the USB port

In the domain environment of Windows, administrators can use Group Policy to disable USB ports. This approach is suitable for large network environments where USB access to multiple computers can be centrally managed.

1. Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Removable Storage Access.
3. In the right pane, find the policy settings related to USB devices, such as "Deny Read Access to All Removable Storage Classes" and "Deny Write Access to All Removable Storage Classes", to enable it.

4. Disable the USB port using the Insight Eye MIT system

InsightEye MIT system is a powerful terminal security management software, which not only supports the monitoring of the USB port of the computer, but also directly configures the policy to disable the USB port. With the Insight MIT system, administrators can flexibly set access rights to USB ports, including disabling all USB ports and allowing only specific types of USB devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse) to be used. In addition, the Insight Eye MIT system can also monitor the usage of USB devices in real time, record plugging and unplugging records, data transmission and other information, and provide strong support for data breach tracking.

The specific steps to disable the USB port using the InsightEye MIT system are as follows:

1. Install and configure the Insight Eye MIT system.

   

2. Log in to the management console and go to the policy configuration page.

   

3. In the USB Device Management Policy, set the access permissions for the USB ports and select the Disable option.

   

4. Apply the configured policy to the target computer or group of computers.