Disable write access on USB thumbdrives (WinXP SP2)

Windows XP SP2 users can disable the ability to write to a USB thumbdrive by:

1. Start RegEdit: Click Start -> Run -> type RegEdit and click OK
2. Go to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
3. Right-click on that key and create a new key called StorageDevicePolicies
   
4. Right-click on the new key and add a DWORD called WriteProtect with a value of 1

Note: Entering a value of 0 allows write access again

Afraid to edit the registry? Then download a simple to use Reg File (just double click the file and edits are made) from Veign's Registry Hacks section (bottom of the page).