Sometimes we use removable media such as CD-ROMs, floppy disks, and DVDs to install new programs to Windows. This is a common practice, and I think everyone using Windows is familiar with it. But what if anyone else installed some programs to your Windows without your permission, and which compromised your Windows 11/10? In such a case, your Windows installation may get ruined.
Prevent installation of Programs from Removable Media Source in Windows
If we configure Windows in such a way that it should not permit unknown media installation from a removable source, then it will help us to safeguard our Windows from unknown installations, thus achieving high safety. In this article, I’ll show you the way to prevents users from installing programs from removable media. If a user tries to install a program from removable media, a message appears, stating that the feature cannot be found.
Prevent removable media source for any installation
1] Using Local Group Policy Editor
1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type put gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate here :
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Installer
3. In the right pane, look for the setting named Prevent removable media source for any installation and double click on it. You’ll get this:
4. In the above window, select Enabled to prevent users from installing from a removable media source. That’s it! Reboot to get results.
2] Using Registry Editor
1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type put Regedt32.exe in Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer
3. In the right pane of this location, create a DWORD named DisableMedia using Right Click -> New -> DWORD. Double click on the DWORD so created to modify it, you’ll see this:
4. In the Value data section of the above box, input the value equal to 1. Click OK. Close the Registry Editor and reboot to see the results. That’s it!
Hope this helps!
Related: How to prevent the installation of Removable Devices on Windows.
