Prohibit copying files from your PC to a USB key

block copying of files to any usb device
block copying of files to any usb device

Today I'm going to show you a very simple tip that applies to all versions Windows.

If like me, you don't like that a user of your computer can steal confidential information and files from you while you are away, then you can simply block the copying of files from your PC to a USB device.

 To do this, nothing could be simpler, just go to the registry editor, and add a key.

  • Click on the start button then perform and enter the command regedit
  • In the registry editor, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE> SYSTEM> CurrentControlSet> Control.

usb_register1

  • After click on the menu Edit> New> Key.  Name this key StorageDevicePolicies.

usb_pc_register

  • Likewise, add a new 32-bit DWORD value to this key. To do this, click on the menu EditionNew > 32-bit DWORD value that you will name WriteProtect.

usb_register_bloque

  • Now, you must modify its value with a double click, enter “1” and validate
    knowing that :
    – 0 authorizes the transfer
    – 1 prohibits transfer

usb_block_copy

Now all you have to do is connect a USB key, an external hard drive, or a memory card, and try to copy a file to it to obtain a prohibition message. You can of course make the copy possible by changing the DWORD value to 0 instead of 1.