Restrict USB access on Windows Home

The following PowerShell script helps the IT Admins to block USB devices like Pendrive, external HDD, SDD.

1. Create a file on your desktop, for example, restrict_usb_access.ps1 and open it in a text editor like notepad++
2. Copy the contents below to the file or click hereto download the file.
   ShellShell

   #This script helps to restrict USB Access
   #Computer restart is required for changes to take into effect (uncomment last line to restart computer via this script)
   
   #Update below variables with value 1 (i.e. enable) or 0 (i.e. disable)
   $Deny_Read = 1
   $Deny_Write = 1
   $Deny_Execute = 1
   $Deny_All = 1
   
   
   $USBStorageRegKey = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices\{53f5630d-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}'
   $USBStorageRegKeyEx = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices\{53f5630d-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}'
   $StorageRegKey = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices'
   $StorageRegKeyEx = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\RemovableStorageDevices'
   $USBRegKey = '{53f5630d-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b}'
   $DenyReadRegName = 'Deny_Read'
   $DenyWriteRegName = 'Deny_Write'
   $DenyExecuteRegName = 'Deny_Execute'
   $DenyAllRegName = 'Deny_All'
   
   $exists = Test-Path $USBStorageRegKey
   if (!$exists) {
       New-Item -Path $StorageRegKey -Name $USBRegKey -Force | Out-Null
   }
   
   if($Deny_Read)
   {
   	reg add $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyReadRegName /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
   }
   else
   {
   	try
   	{
   		$Read = Get-ItemPropertyValue $USBStorageRegKey -Name $DenyReadRegName
   		
   		if($Read -ne $null)
   		{
   			reg delete $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyReadRegName /f
   		}
   	}
   	catch
   	{
   	}
   }
   
   if($Deny_Write)
   {
   	reg add $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyWriteRegName /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
   }
   else
   {
   	try
   	{
   		$Write = Get-ItemPropertyValue $USBStorageRegKey -Name $DenyWriteRegName
   		
   		if($Write -ne $null)
   		{
   			reg delete $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyWriteRegName /f
   		}
   	}
   	catch
   	{
   	}
   }
   
   if($Deny_Execute)
   {
   	reg add $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyExecuteRegName /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
   }
   else
   {
   	try
   	{
   		$Execute = Get-ItemPropertyValue $USBStorageRegKey -Name $DenyExecuteRegName
   		
   		if($Execute -ne $null)
   		{
   			reg delete $USBStorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyExecuteRegName /f
   		}
   	}
   	catch
   	{
   	}
   }
   
   if($Deny_All)
   {
   	reg add $StorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyAllRegName /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
   }
   else
   {
   	try
   	{
   		$DenyAll = Get-ItemPropertyValue $StorageRegKey -Name $DenyAllRegName
   		
   		if($DenyAll -ne $null)
   		{
   			reg delete $StorageRegKeyEx /v $DenyAllRegName /f
   		}
   	}
   	catch
   	{
   	}
   }
   
   #Restart-Computer -Force

   1. Choose the Execution level as: Device level.
      
   2. The script changes the below Registry values of RemovableStorageDevices to 'Enabled':
      'Deny_Read' ; 'Deny_Write' ; 'Deny_Execute' ; 'Deny_All'
   3. Updating the above variables with value 1 means- enable or 0 means- disable. For example, 1 below will block access.
      ShellShell

      $Deny_Read = 1
      $Deny_Write = 1
      $Deny_Execute = 1
      $Deny_All = 1

      
      
   4. So, when you connect a removable USB storage device to your windows computer, you would be able to see the drive in My Computer, but access to it will be blocked. For example, in the below image, there is an SSD connected to the device however the access to the USB in D:\ drive is blocked.
      
   5. Once the script is executed successfully the computer restart is required for changes to take effect.
3. You will be able to see the status of the same in the View Status report on the Scalefusion dashboard.
4. Follow our guide to upload & publish the PowerShell script using Scalefusion Dashboard.