How to Unblock USB Ports Access

There are more than one ways to restrict access to USB ports that most of the schools, collages and offices uses for security reasons. In this post I am going to tell you how to unblock USB ports or in simple words how to enable or disable access to USB port or device.
The basic two methods are:
  • Disabling USB Ports from Device manager
  • Changing Registry values for USB devices

What is USB Port?

By name USB stands for Universal Serial Bus a device developed in the mid-1990s. A USB post is a standard cable connection interface which supplies power to computer peripherals like mouse, keyboard and printers. Its allows such electronic devices to be connected to a computer via. cable.
Besides, supplying power to electronic devices a USB port also allows data to be transferred between devices. It was invented by an Indian-American computer architect Ajay Bhatt.

1.How to Enable USB Port from Device manager

  • Go to Start > Run and type ‘devmgmt.msc’ and press enter to open device manager.
  • Now look for ‘Universal Serial bus Controller’ – Expand the list and find if there is any red colored cross.
  • If yes, simply right click on it and enable it.
Now insert your USB device again, if it works fine, then great otherwise head-on to next solution.
image2 How to disable or enable USB Ports in Windows 7 | 8

2.Changing Registry values for USB devices

  • Go to Start > Run and type ‘regedit’ and press enter to open open registry editor.
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUSBSTOR
  • Double click on ‘Start’ to change its value to 3 and press ‘OK’.

image1 How to disable or enable USB Ports in Windows 7 | 8

3. Now the third method is to Disable or Enable USB Ports on your computer from BIOS. This is a RISKY method. You could do this when you do not want to share your data with any. Some problems may arise due to this. Some got problem like they cannot enter into Bios after doing this. Do at your risk.

1. Reboot your computer
2. Press [F2] or [Del] as told in the mother board manual
3. Enter BIOS by entering BIOS password
4. In BIOS find advance settings or Onboard devices menu(change with BIOS manufacturer).
5. Select USB Configuration and press enter
6. Select the option to disable USB ports
Find USB configurations and Disable USB controllers to disable all USB ports. Change it to Enable if you want to enable. And exit from BIOS.