Controlling which kinds of devices can be installed

Windows Vista gives you more control than ever before concerning which kinds of devices you can allow to be installed on your systems and which types you will prohibit installation. You can fine-tune this by editing local Group Policy as follows:

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Start Search box and hit Enter.

2. Click Continue when the UAC prompt appears.

3. Navigate to the following policy location:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Installation Restrictions

4. Enable the following policy setting:

Prevent installation of drivers matching these device setup classes

5. Click Show

6. Click Add

7. Type the GUID for the device class you want to prevent being able to install.

For example, if you want to prevent Bluetooth Devices from being installed, you would specify {e0cbf06c-cd8b-4647-bb8a-263b43f0f974} for the GUID.

For a list of GUIDs for different device types, see here.

Cheers,
Mitch Tulloch, MVP
http://www.mtit.com