USB 3.0 is disabled. How to disable or enable USB ports in Windows

First, you need to figure out why you might need to disable USB ports on the computer. Everything is quite simple here. With the advent of miniature data storage devices operating via USB, a need arose to prevent data leakage from computers. Using a regular flash drive or portable hard drive, you can easily steal any information. To prevent such incidents, it is necessary to completely disable USB ports. Of course, everyone may have their own reasons for disabling ports, but this is not so important. Below are several ways to disable USB ports on your computer.

Disable USB ports in BIOS settings

In fact, everything is quite simple: go to BIOS settings and disable all ports, or those that are necessary. The nuance is that on this moment There are several versions of BIOS, and port disabling is sometimes different in each.

BIOS Award. Go to the BIOS settings and select the item Integrated Peripherals. Let's go to this menu. Next, we simply find the points: USB EHCI Controller, USB Keyboard Support, USB Mouse Support and Legacy USB storage detect and disable them by selecting the option Disabled. Then we simply save the settings and restart the computer;

Phoenix Award And AMI BIOS. Go to settings and select the item Advanced (sometimes some versions may have a Peripherals item) or Advanced BIOS Features. Next we go to the menu USB Configuration. Next, turn off all USB items, save the settings and restart the computer;

UEFI. More modern panel. Go to the menu Peripherals or Advanced. Selecting items Legacy USB Support And USB 3.0 Support and turn them off. Next, save the settings and restart the PC.

Note! In some versions, the menu items may have slightly different names, but that's okay, just go through all the menus and find the USB settings.

Disable USB using the registry

It's more suitable way. In the registry you can disable access of USB ports to specific devices, not the ports themselves. At a time when almost everything is connected via USB, including a mouse and keyboard, this method will be preferable. You can simply disable port access specifically to flash drives, but at the same time computer mouse will work fine.

Open the registry editor: keyboard shortcut Win+R, enter the command regedit and click OK. Next, move on to the next section:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR

Find an item Start. Open it and enter the value 4 . Save the settings and restart your computer. This section blocks access external drives to the port.

Note! If USB controller drivers are not installed on the computer, then the value Start will automatically change to the value 3 as soon as the device is connected to the port.

Disable USB via Device Manager

Open device Manager: right click on My computer, open Properties, Further device Manager. Open the menu USB controllers . Right-click and context menu select an item Disable.

Important! The option of removing drivers for USB controllers will not work, since the first time you connect the device to the port, Windows will begin installing the drivers.

Disable USB using Windows files

Denying access using the Local Group Policy Editor

You can also ban reading and writing.

Additionally

It is also worth mentioning that there are two more ways to restrict access to ports: restrict access using third party programs and physically disabling ports.

There is plenty of third-party software on the Internet, and each one is configured differently, so there is no point in describing this method in the article. All you need to do is find the desired program and instructions for it.

As for physically disabling ports, this method will only work with ports on the front panel of the system unit. Open system unit and carefully disconnect the wires going to the ports.

Bottom line

Whatever the reason for the need to disable USB ports, now you know how to do it.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to disable USB ports on a computer or laptop in order to limit access by connecting flash drives, hard drives and other USB devices. Disabling USB ports will help prevent the connection of any drives that could be used for theft important information or cause your computer to become infected with a virus and spread harmful software By local network.

Restricting access to USB ports

Let's consider 7 ways, with which you can block USB ports:

1. Disabling USB through BIOS settings
2. Changing registry settings for USB devices
3. Disabling USB ports in Device Manager
4. Uninstalling USB controller drivers
5. Using Microsoft Fix It 50061
6. Usage additional programs
7. Physically disconnecting USB ports

1. Disabling USB ports through BIOS settings

1. Enter BIOS settings.
2. Disable all items related to the USB controller (for example, USB Controller or Legacy USB Support).
3. After you have made these changes, you need to save the settings and exit the BIOS. This is usually done using the key F10.
4. Restart your computer and make sure the USB ports are disabled.

2. Enable and Disable USB Drives Using Registry Editor

If disabling via BIOS does not suit you, you can block access directly in the Windows OS 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.

1. Open the Start menu -> Run, enter the command " regedit" and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
2. Continue to next section
   

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR

3. On the right side of the window, find the item “ Start” and double-click on it to edit. Enter value " 4 » to block access to USB storage devices. Accordingly, if you enter the value again “ 3 ", access will be reopened.

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 "Start" parameter value may be automatically reset to "3" when the user connects USB drive and Windows will install the driver.

3. Disable USB ports in Device Manager

1. Right-click on the " Computer" and select the "Properties" item in the context menu. A window will open on the left side of which you need to click on the link “ device Manager».
2. In the device manager tree, find the item " USB controllers" and open it.
3. Disable controllers by right-clicking and selecting the "Disable" menu item.

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 desired result. Disabling the 3rd option (USB Mass Storage Device) worked, but this only allows you to disable a single instance of the USB storage device.

4. Removing USB controller drivers

Alternatively, to disable the ports, you can simply uninstall the USB controller driver. But the disadvantage of this method is that when the user connects a USB drive, Windows will check for drivers and, if they are missing, will offer to install the driver. This in turn will allow access to the USB device.

5. Prevent users from connecting USB storage devices using a Microsoft application

Another way to deny access to USB drives is to use Microsoft Fix It 50061(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/823732/ru - the link may open near the mituta). The essence of this method is that 2 conditions for solving the problem are considered:

• The USB drive has not yet been installed on the computer
• The USB device is already connected to the computer

Within the scope 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 given above.

It should also be taken into account that this method Not suitable for all versions of Windows OS.

6. Using programs to disable/enable access to USB storage devices

There are many programs for setting a ban on access to USB ports. Let's 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. USB Drive Disabler also allows you to configure alerts and access levels.

7. Disconnecting USB from the motherboard

While physically unplugging USB ports on a motherboard is nearly impossible, you can unplug ports on the front or top of your computer by unplugging the cable that goes to the motherboard. This method will not completely block access to USB ports, but 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

Denying access to removable media through the Group Policy Editor

In modern Windows versions it is possible to restrict access to removable storage devices (including USB drives) using the local editor group policy.

1. Run gpedit.msc through the Run window (Win + R).
2. Go to the next branch " Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Access to Removable Storage Devices»
3. On the right side of the screen, find the “Removable drives: Deny read” option.
4. Activate this option ("Enable" position).

This section of Local Group Policy allows you to configure read, write, and execute access for different classes of removable media.

On some computers, when you connect HDD or USB flash drive 3.0, the error appears "The device is not recognized" (USB Device Not Recognized) or " Windows stopped this device because it reported a problem.(Code 43)" in Device Manager.

This article provides instructions on how to resolve the following issues:

• USB device not recognized/detected
• USB 3.0 flash drive not recognized/detected
• USB 3.0 does not work on Windows 7/10

How to fix: USB 3.0 port on computer does not work

Before we move on to fixing this problem, you should try the following steps:

1. Use another USB cable if you connect a hard drive to the port computer USB 3.0.
2. Connect USB 3.0 to USB 2.0 port.
3. Remove the USB device, turn off the computer, and disconnect the power cord (or battery if using a laptop). Wait at least 2 minutes and then reconnect the power cord. Turn on your computer and reconnect the USB device.
4. If you are using Windows 7, Vista or XP, download and run the Microsoft Troubleshooter utility.
5. Reset BIOS to factory settings.

Solution 1: Disable Fast Startup feature in Windows 8 and 10

Note: If option quick launch has already been removed, check it and restart the computer. After restarting, uncheck the box and restart your computer again.

1. Reboot computer.

Solution 2: Disable USB suspend settings.

Solution 3: Reboot your USB 3.0 device.

1. Open device Manager. For this:

• Press the " Windows» + « R" to open the window " Execute".
• In the window " Execute» enter: devmgmt.msc.
• Click Enter.

2. In Device Manager, expand "ControllersUSB» .

3. Right click on " RootUSB-hub (USB 3.0 ) " and select " Delete".

4. Windows will automatically find and install the latest drivers for your USB 3.0 port.

Solution 4: Install the latest USB 3.0 drivers.

1. Download Intel Driver Update Utility or AMD drivers.
2. Run driver update utility and press " Further" on the first screen.
   
3. Accept the license terms and click " Install".
   
4. Wait while the driver update utility is installed.
5. Once installation is complete, click " Launch».
   
6. Click " Start scanning".
   
7. When the driver scan is complete, click " Download", to download the latest drivers for your computer.
   
8. Finally, click " Install".
   
9. After installation is complete reboot computer.

Solution 5: Restore Windows to a previous working state

If the solutions above did not help with the problem of USB 3.0 not working on your computer, you should try restoring your computer to its previous working state. This can be done if you previously activated a Windows restore point.

Please write in the comments below if you managed to solve the problem with a faulty USB 3.0 port, and what solution helped in your situation.

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 different versions BIOS with its own interfaces and subtleties of operation. Also, a more modern complex can work on your computer - UEFI, which supports a full GUI interface. This article discusses the distributions that are most often installed on motherboards.

Entering BIOS settings

To start changing the configuration, you need to go to the corresponding menu. It can be opened during power on personal computer- before it started Windows boot from the hard drive.

Turn on your PC. In case it is already running: reboot. Wait sound signal Speaker: A short single beep indicates that all internal components necessary for the computer to operate have been detected.

Now you need to click 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 model installed motherboard and versions BIOS firmware. You can find it in the user manual that came with the motherboard, on the manufacturer’s official website, 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 definitely do.

You don't have to try just 1 option at a time. You can quickly press all the buttons from the list without any problems. One of them will come up and launch the BIOS settings, and the rest will be ignored.

Entering the BIOS/UEFI settings of the latest PCs

Your computer or laptop will reboot into setup mode. After restarting your PC, you will also be able to select option to run from a USB drive or DVD.

Menu navigation

Almost all BIOS versions are devoid of GUI. This means that you will have to work only using the keyboard, as in, for example, 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 reminder of 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 can use a mouse. Its interface will be familiar Windows users and other modern operating systems.

Each version has its own interface and sets of options. Even the names of the same parameters may differ. The following article describes several popular BIOS releases.

AMI BIOS

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, such as exit or save. You will be working on the left side.

You need to go to the section called “ Integrated Peripherals». Russian version There is no interface, so all commands are only in English. Use the Down arrow to highlight this item and press Enter.

Here you need to enable ( Enabled) 4 options:

• USB EHCI controller– main controller. If the motherboard has version 3.0 ports, this item will be divided into 2 parts: “Controller” and “Controller 2.0”;
• USB Keyboard Support– keyboard support;
• USB Mouse Support– mouse support;
• – work with external data storage: flash drives, disk drives, disks of smartphones and digital cameras.

In some older versions there are only 2 points " 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.

Phoenix AwardBIOS

Another popular version that can often be found on modern laptops. Doesn't have home page, like AMI, but with convenient thematic tabs at the top. You can move between sections using the left and right arrows, and between items using the up and down arrows.

Go to the section " Advanced» using the Right arrow. In it, find the category “ USB configuration" All items in this section must be moved to the position “ Enabled" In some versions the category " USB configuration" may be located in the " tab Peripherals" and not in "Advanced".

To exit the menu, press F10 and confirm exit.

AMI BIOS for Asus

Version of AMI used on Asus laptops. Externally it is very similar to Phoenix - a similar bookmarks bar. Settings USB are in the section " Advanced" Go there, enable all options and exit using the F10 button.

UEFI

Contrary to popular belief, UEFI is not part of the BIOS. It can rather be called a more advanced, but less popular competitor. There are a large number of different versions, each with their own interfaces. However, here the controls are similar to the usual Windows, so you can easily find the options you need.

Windows Settings

If at the BIOS level all ports and controllers are enabled, but the USB ports still do not work, perhaps the problem is in your settings Windows systems.

First, just try disconnect and reconnect the device. This will check if the drivers are correct. If there's something wrong with them, Windows will try to reinstall them.

If nothing happens when you reconnect, try turn on the controller V Windows registry. To do this you need to do the following:

Video: how to configure any BIOS to boot from a USB flash drive