Setting the USB drives to Read-Only

Securing Vista by Setting the USB drives to Read-Only. By disabling writing on USB drives it gives an added measure of security from unwanted copying of files.

Common Security measure that is implemented Corporate Computers and or Public Computers, but basically I use this hack to annoy anyone who uses my laptop without my permission. Of Course, I had set my laptop to have multiple users and of course my own user account that has Administrator rights.. and all other have standard User accounts.

Ok, Enough with the chit-chat it’s time to work :

To Disable

  1. Click on the Start Orb -> then Click Run to go the Run Dialog box
  2. On the Run Dialog Box -> type Regedit
  3. On Regedit navigate to this location :
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorageDevicePolicies
    • On the Right hand side look for the value “WriteProtect” it has a DWORD value of 0×00000000(0)
    • Change the DWORD value to 0×00000000(1) to disable
  4. Exit Regedit
  5. Reboot your Computer.

And You’re all set.

Check out how to Enable and Disable USB Writing Go visit PC Extreme [PC Extreme]

More Info, Tips and Tricks there.

March 13th, 2008 in Registry Editing, Security, Tweaks, Windows Vista Tips and Tricks