Prevent installation of removable devices: registry value DenyRemovableDevicesComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions

Policy ID: DeviceInstall_Removable_Deny
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Vista
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: System › Device Installation › Device Installation Restrictions

Registry

DenyRemovableDevices

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions Current key

Enabled value: 1
Disabled value: 0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DenyRemovableDevices"=dword:00000001
; Disabled
"DenyRemovableDevices"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions" /v "DenyRemovableDevices" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions" /v "DenyRemovableDevices" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions' -Name 'DenyRemovableDevices' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions' -Name 'DenyRemovableDevices' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null