In fact, this feature has been available since the days of Windows 7 and, by and large, the procedure has not changed since then. Let's consider it using the example of the current version of Windows 10. As a rule, by default, the function of temporarily disabling the USB port is activated at least for the power saving mode. Actually, in order to save battery power, the system suspends the operation of USB ports during periods of inactivity, so the corresponding settings can be found in the "Power supply" section of the system Control Panel.
About how to open the control panel in Windows 10 Creators Update, we already, it is most convenient to use the search bar on the taskbar, where it is enough to type “Control Panel”, in which go to the “Power supply” section (if the category display mode is enabled, then first you must click on the item "Hardware and Sound"). In the window that opens, go to the settings for the desired power scheme.
On the next screen, you must click on the "Change advanced power settings" item.
A new window will open with a full list of additional parameters, in which you need to find the item USB Options> Temporarily Disable USB Port Option and set the value "Forbidden" and then click OK to save the changes. In the same way, the function is turned back on.
It is worth noting that the above example is not a panacea for all possible problems associated with the operation of USB devices, the reasons can be very different, but nevertheless it can help in situations where the problem is related to the operation of this function.
Sometimes it becomes necessary to disable USB ports on a computer or laptop in order to restrict access to connect flash drives, hard drives and other USB devices. Disabling USB ports will help prevent any storage devices from being connected that could be used to steal important information or cause a virus to infect your computer and spread malicious software over your local network.
Restricting access to USB ports
Consider 7 ways with which you can block USB ports:
- Disable USB through BIOS settings
- Change registry settings for USB devices
- Disable USB ports in device manager
- Uninstalling USB Controller Drivers
- Using Microsoft Fix It 50061
- Using additional programs
- Disabling USB ports physically
1. Disable USB ports through BIOS settings
- Enter BIOS settings.
- Disable all USB controller related items (e.g. USB Controller or Legacy USB Support).
- After you have made these changes, you need to save the settings and exit the BIOS. This is usually done using the key F10.
- Restart your computer and make sure the USB ports are disabled.
2. Enabling and Disabling USB Drives Using Registry Editor
If disabling via BIOS does not suit you, you can close access directly in the Windows OS itself using the registry.
The instructions below allow you to close access for various USB drives (for example, flash drives), but other devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, scanners will still work.
- Open the Start menu -> Run, enter the command " regedit"And click OK to open the Registry Editor.
- Continue to the next section
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ USBSTOR
- In the right part of the window, find the item " Start”And double click on it to edit. Enter value " 4 »To block access to USB drives. Accordingly, if you enter again the value " 3 ”, Access will be re-opened.
Click OK, close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
The above method works only when the USB controller driver is installed. If for security reasons the driver has not been installed, the Start option may be automatically reset to 3 when the user plugs in the USB storage device and Windows installs the driver.
3. Disable USB ports in device manager
- Right-click on the " A 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».
- In the device manager tree, find the item " USB controllers”And open it.
- Disable the controllers by right-clicking and selecting the Disable menu item.
This method does not always work. In the example shown in the figure above, disabling the controllers (the first 2 points) did not lead to the desired result. Disabling item 3 (USB Mass Storage) worked, but it only gives you the option to disconnect a single instance of the USB stick.
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 the presence of drivers and, if they are absent, will offer to install the driver. This in turn will open up access to the USB device.
5. Prevent users from connecting USB storage devices using an application from Microsoft
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 lies in the fact 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 framework 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 noted that this method is not suitable for all versions of Windows.
6. Using programs to disable / enable access to USB storage devices
There are many programs for setting the denial of 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. Also, USB Drive Disabler allows you to configure alerts and access levels.
7. Disconnecting USB from the motherboard
While physically disconnecting the USB ports on your motherboard is nearly impossible, you can disable the ports on the front or top of your computer case by unplugging the cable that goes to the motherboard. This method will not completely close 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
Deny access to removable media through the Group Policy Editor
In modern versions of Windows, it is possible to restrict access to removable storage devices (including USB drives) using the Local Group Policy Editor.
- Run gpedit.msc through the Run window (Win + R).
- Continue to the next branch " Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Access to Removable Storage Devices»
- On the right side of the screen, find the item "Removable drives: Deny reading".
- Activate this option (position "Enable").
This section of local group policy allows you to configure read, write and execute access for different classes of removable media.
If you are faced with a situation where the computer stops responding to commands entered using the connected USB keyboards or mouse, check options USB in settings power plan... Sometimes Windows maybe disconnectUSB devices during downtime which contributes to power saving computer, but not always justified and convenient in terms of work.
Prevent temporary shutdown USB ports if you are faced with a similar situation, in power plan should change power parameters... To do this, click the "Start" button and in the "Find programs and files" field enter the word "Power supply", press "Enter". The "Power supply" icon will appear, click on it with the left mouse button.
Open power plans You can also from by going to it in a way convenient for you and, if necessary, switching to the "Small icons" view mode, select the "Power supply" item.
The "Select Power Plan" window will open, in which opposite current energy saving plan click on "Configure Power Plan".
In the next step, click on "Change advanced power settings."
In the window that opens, find the item "USB Settings" and open it first, and then "Option to temporarily disable the USB port" by clicking on the +.
Click on the "Allowed" value, and a drop-down panel with a choice of options will appear. There are only two of them, select "Forbidden".
Read how to diagnose and fix a not working USB port of a computer or laptop... Ways to solve the problem at home. Recently, the amount of information surrounding us has grown tremendously. We receive information from everywhere: personal computers, mobile phones, the Internet, television, radio, etc. The main types of professional activity are fully, or for the most part, transferred to the use of computer devices. Documentation, archives, correspondence, databases, etc. - this is only a small part of where personal computers are used. The main requirements for computer devices are their speed, reliability and the ability to store a large amount of information.
One of the main roles in the modern world is played by the mobility of information and the ability to access it at any time. Often there is a need to use certain documents in a variety of places, and it is necessary that access to information was constant.
Recently, cloud data storage has become very popular, allowing you to store a large amount of personal information in them and provide access to it at any time. However, if the user, for any reason, does not want to store information in the cloud storage, for example, to protect it from possible access by third parties or possible hacking, then, in this case, he uses external "USB drives" and drives connected to the computer via "USB port".
This is quite convenient, as the manufacturers of computer devices supply their products with a sufficient number of "USB ports"... And the user can always get or download the necessary information to his device through such "USB connection".
However, not in all cases, the process of sharing information through "USB port" may end successfully. It often happens that you connected the day before "USB stick" to the computer, and today it is not detected. However, this drive works on others "USB ports" your computer. Then, probably, the problem can be directly in a certain "USB port".
This is one of those computer problems that happens so rarely that users tend to blame it themselves. "USB stick"... Therefore, they simply switch it elsewhere and continue to work. Without assuming that "USB port" may be defective and overlooked.
but "USB devices" are still at their peak and show no signs of slowing down. "USB flash drives", "USB chargers" for your phone, "USB" to connect "IPod", "USB coffee warmers", "USB" to connect additional devices (for example, a lamp, camera, microphone, etc.) - as you can see, "USB connection" used everywhere! Therefore, it is imperative that all your ports are in working order.
Below we present certain steps to help you check your "USB port" whether there is a problem in determining "USB devices", and offer some tips to fix it. After each step you take, check to see if the problem is resolved. If the action did not help, then move on to the next one.
A prerequisite for testing and troubleshooting "USB ports" is the requirement to log in "Windows" with an administrator account. If the computer is your own personal computer, then most likely you are already logged in with that account. For a work (office) computer, you will have to contact your system administrator for help.
Physical examination
The first thing you need to do is check "USB port" for physical damage.
A simple test is to connect your "USB stick" into the port and see how easily the drive moves in the port connector. But be careful not to cause an additional hardware problem if you don't already have one. If you do not know how strong it should be "USB port", do the same on the test port you know is working and compare both of them.
If the wobble amplitude is large enough and the connector is loose, then go to the end of this article, where we will talk about problems with the equipment. "USB ports"... Otherwise, continue with the following steps.
Reboot your computer
Before taking any steps, try the old technical troubleshooting method: turn off your computer and turn it on again. This sometimes helps by forcing the operating system to scan for hardware, such as "USB port", and restore its performance.
If this method didn't work, then it's time to use the app.
Use the app
The application contains information about all devices connected or installed on your personal computer, and provides the ability to configure, customize and monitor each of them.
The application window can be opened in various ways. As an example, we will show several such methods, and you can use the one that is most convenient for you.
Method one: Open the application window, for example, right-click on the shortcut of the file explorer on the desktop "This computer", and from the pop-up menu, select a section "Control".
This application allows complete control of the computer and related utilities. In the left pane of the application window, select the section located in the folder in the directory Computer Management (Local).
Method two: On "Taskbars" in the lower left corner of your desktop, find the button "Start" and right-click on it, or press the keyboard shortcut together Windows + X... In the pop-up menu that opens, select a section from the list of available applications.
Method three: Press the keyboard shortcut together Windows + R and open the dialog "Run"... Enter in the field "Open" command "Devmgmt.msc" and then press the key "Enter" on the keyboard or the button "OK" to execute the command.
The application will open and you will see the following window:
Testing Universal Serial Bus Controllers "USB"
The application shows all categories of devices installed on your computer. At this point, you need to view the entries for the Universal Serial Bus controllers. Click on the arrow next to the section to expand the attached devices. You will see a list of available controllers, similar to our example:
This list will not mean much to you. However, it is important to pay attention to the following entry: Intel (R) 7 Series / C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller... This is a special type "USB controller" directly for our computer, it will be different for you. But the keywords here are "USB Host Controller"... Find them in your "Device Manager"... If you cannot find them, then this may be your problem.
Checking the hardware configuration
Click the button "Update hardware configuration" on the application toolbar under the main menu ribbon shown in the figure below. This will force your computer to re-check all of your hardware and update it. This action can help and you will see "USB host controller" on your list. If the controller does not appear in the list, then the problem persists.
Deleting "USB host controllers"
Things get a little more complicated at this stage. You will have to remove all controllers in the application. Please note that if you are working on a personal computer and your keyboard and mouse are connected to it "USB ports", then after removing the controllers, they will stop working.
In the section, right click on the first host controller. In the pop-up menu that opens, from the list of available actions, select the section "Remove device".
Repeat this process for each remaining "USB host controller"... Now restart your computer. This will force the computer to reinstall and re-configure those controllers, and may be able to fix the one that is not responding.
Clear
There is a possibility that in "Device Manager" may display previously installed devices that are not already connected to your computer. Sometimes device drivers remain installed on your computer long after the device has been turned off. It's time to check and clean the application by removing old and unused drivers.
If this method did not help you, then proceed to the next steps.
Disable
"Option to temporarily disable the USB port" Is a power saving setting in the operating system "Windows" which suspends power supplied to "USB device" to extend the battery life of your computer. This is a nice feature that allows you to save energy, but on rare occasions, this setting may block the connected "USB device".
You can disable "Option to temporarily disable the USB port" two different methods: using the power settings and via "Registry Editor".
Method one: Using the power parameter settings
Open the application in any of the following ways: We have not described all possible methods, but settled on the most common and most convenient ones.
Method one: Press the button "Start" in the lower left corner of the desktop and open the main user menu "Windows"... In the side menu bar, click the gear icon. Or, using the scroll bar, move the slider down and select a section from the list of installed applications and programs.
Method two: Right click on the button "Start" or press the keyboard shortcut together Windows + X and open the popup menu. Select a section from the list of available applications.
Method three: Click in the lower right corner of the desktop on "Taskbars" button Windows Action Center... A pop-up sidebar will appear at the right edge of the screen. At the bottom of the Action Center bar is a predefined row of Quick Action buttons. In your case, select the button.
Method four: Press the keyboard shortcut Windows + I together and open the app directly.
In the main window of the application, select the section "System" shown in the picture above. Then, in the window that opens, select the section in the left pane. In the right pane, move the scrollbar slider down to the section "Related parameters" and click the text link "Additional power options".
In the opened window "Power supply" select a text link.
Using the scroll bar, find the section in the main options window. "USB Options"... Expand the section using the control (icon "a plus" in a square cell) and then the next section "Option to temporarily disable the USB port"... Specify parameter settings in cells "On battery" and "From the network" by selecting in the pop-up menu, opposite each parameter, the value "Forbidden".
Press the buttons Apply and "OK" to save the parameter settings. Now the system will not temporarily shutdown "USB ports" to save energy.
Method two: using app "Registry Editor"
Note: It is important to remember that any actions with the registry must be performed with great care, as this can lead to irreversible consequences. If changes to the registry are made incorrectly, the operating system may fail, problems may arise with the operation of certain computer services, it may stop loading, or the system may completely fail. Take care of creating a backup of the registry using the built-in capabilities of the application "Registry Editor"... In the ribbon of the main window menu "Registry Editor" click tab "File", and in the menu that opens, select the section "Export…"... Name your copy of the registry and save it anywhere you like. Now, if necessary, you can always use your saved copy.
Open a dialog box "Run"(for example, by pressing together the keyboard shortcut Windows + R), then in the field "Open" enter command "Regedit" and press the button "OK" or key "Enter".
Click the button "Yes" in UAC message "Windows": "Allow this app to make changes on your device?", and the application window "Registry Editor" will be open.
In the left pane of the window, navigate to the following key:
You can manually search and open each item on the path to the specified key, or copy the key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ USB \ DisableSelectiveSuspend) and paste it into the address bar of the window under the main menu ribbon. Thus, you can avoid possible errors, since there are many similar directories in the window and it is quite easy to get lost and select the wrong partition.
If "USB key" does not exist in your registry, then you will have to create it.
To do this, go to the last available section of the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services", then click the tab on the main menu ribbon "Edit"... In the pop-up menu that opens, open the submenu "Create" and select "Chapter".
Give the new section a name "USB"... Then in this section in the right pane of the window you need to create a new parameter "DisableSelectiveSuspend"... To do this, right-click on an empty space in the window, open the submenu "Create" and select a section "DWORD Parameter (32 bit)".
Now click on your newly created parameter "DisableSelectiveSuspend" right-click and select a section from the pop-up menu "Change…".
In the parameter change window "DWORD" enter in the field "Meaning" figure "1"... Then press the button "OK" to save the changes made to the parameter.
Now "Option to temporarily disable the USB port" is disabled on your computer. You will need to restart your computer for the changes you made to take effect.
Check if your faulty one is working now. "USB port"? If not, then the most likely cause is physical damage to your "USB ports".
Fix damaged hardware
If the port is still not working, then it is very possible that the problem is related to the hardware. "USB ports" rather fragile, but "USB flash drives" can act as levers of pressure on them, destroying electrical connectors inside ports. This occurs quite often in laptops, when the user puts the laptop in a bag and forgets to take it out. "USB stick"... Usually such a malfunction can be corrected. You may need to see a computer repair technician to fix the problem, or try doing it yourself by finding repair methods online. However, the second method is suitable for those people who have extensive experience in repairing computer devices.
Conclusion
There are several ways to restore your non-working "USB port"... The cheapest and easiest solution is to fix it "USB port" in case of a driver or operating system problem. Even if the problem is identified at the hardware level, it can still be fixed quite simply and inexpensively.
If you have any other troubleshooting tips for "USB ports" or have you ever had to renovate "USB port", or you are aware of possible software tools that could help you troubleshoot "USB port" then let us know in your comments.
Problems
