Web Analytics


Disable Access to Removable Drives in Vista

If you share your computer, allow others to use it, or if you are a network administrator, you may not want people to use removable media. Removable media can carry harmful software that can be transferred to your computer in a matter of seconds. In this guide you’ll learn how to disable access to removable media in Windows Vista.

Please Note: This guide involves the use of the Group Policy Editor, which is not included with Vista Home Premium/Basic or Windows XP Home. If this is the first time you are using the Group Policy Editor, read this guide.

Unfortunately I do not know how to do this tweak using only the registry. If you know how, please contact me.

  • Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
  • In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Access
  • In the right panel, enable All Removable Storage class: Deny all access

If you wish to apply the changed policy setting immediately, open a command prompt and run gpupdate/force

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

Free PC tips by email

Search Windows Guides




Comments


Computer tips in your inbox
Sign up for the Windows Guides newsletter to get PC tips and access to free Windows books (More details)

Subscribe now
Popular Guides

See which sites have been visited on your PC (even if private browsing mode is used)

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

Best Free Anti-malware

Hibernate vs. Sleep vs. Shut-Down

i3, i5, and i7; Dual, Quad, Hexa Core Processors. How to they Differ?

Intel's Ivy Bridge Processor: new Features

Windows Guides on Facebook