How to disable a USB port in Windows (XP) and make it available only for charging?

Solution 1:

This is a common solution.

Essentially, you disable USB mass storage. What the device is should not be relevant. A smartphone as storage, an external hard drive and a jump drive all pose the same problems, and use the same drivers.

If a USB storage device is not already installed on the computer, assign the user or the group and the local SYSTEM account Deny permissions to the following files:

• %SystemRoot%\Inf\Usbstor.pnf
• %SystemRoot%\Inf\Usbstor.inf

When you do this, users cannot install a USB storage device on the computer. To assign a user or group Deny permissions to the Usbstor.pnf and Usbstor.inf files, follow these steps:

1. Start Windows Explorer, and then locate the %SystemRoot%\Inf folder.
   
   
2. Right-click the Usbstor.pnf file, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Security tab.
   
   
4. In the Group or user names list, add the user or group that you want to set Deny permissions for.
5. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control.
   
   Note: Also add the System account to the Deny list.
6. In the Group or user names list, select the SYSTEM account.
7. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control, and then click OK.
   
   
8. Right-click the Usbstor.inf file, and then click Properties.
9. Click the Security tab.
   
   
10. In the Group or user names list, add the user or group that you want to set Deny permissions for.
11. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control.
    
    
12. In the Group or user names list, select the SYSTEM account.
13. In the Permissions for UserName or GroupName list, click to select the Deny check box next to Full Control, and then click OK.