Open USB & CD Lock
Run GiliSoft USB Lock and open the USB & CD Lock area where removable-device rules are managed.
Whitelist Trusted USB Drives Across Multiple PCs
USB whitelisting is useful when unknown flash drives should stay blocked, but selected company USB drives, training drives, or approved removable disks still need to work. Instead of adding the same trusted devices manually on every computer, GiliSoft USB Lock lets you build a whitelist once, export it, and import it on other machines.
This page is written for readers who already use GiliSoft USB Lock and need a practical reference for USB & CD Lock whitelist deployment.
Before you begin: collect the USB drives that should be trusted. Each approved device must be inserted and added to the whitelist before you export the list.
How to Create and Reuse a USB Whitelist
Add each trusted USB drive
Insert an approved USB drive, click Add, and repeat the process for every USB drive that should be allowed.
Export the whitelist
After all approved USB drives are listed, click Export to save one whitelist file for reuse.
Import on other machines
On another Windows PC, open USB Lock and click Import to apply the same trusted-device list.
Step-by-Step USB Lock Whitelisting Instructions
Open GiliSoft USB Lock on the Windows PC where you want to build the trusted-device list, then go to USB & CD Lock.
Insert one trusted USB drive and click Add. Repeat this step until all approved USB drives are included in the whitelist.
Click Export to save the whitelist file after the approved USB device list is complete.
Move the whitelist file to another machine, open USB Lock there, and click Import to apply the same approved-device list.
What This Whitelist Process Solves
Allow trusted USB drives while blocking unknown ones
The whitelist lets approved USB devices remain usable without opening the PC to every personal flash drive or removable disk.
Deploy the same device rules to several computers
Export and import are helpful when many office, lab, or shared PCs should use the same trusted-device list.
Reduce repeated manual setup
Build the list once, verify it, then reuse the exported whitelist instead of adding every approved device again on each machine.
Keep USB control separate from USB encryption
This process controls which USB devices can be used on a PC. If the files on the drive itself need password protection, see USB Encryption.
Recommended Whitelist Workflow
Prepare devicesCollect the USB drives that should be trusted before starting.
Add one by oneInsert each drive and click Add so the whitelist includes the right hardware.
Export onceSave the completed whitelist after all approved USB drives are included.
Import carefullyApply the whitelist on other PCs and test one trusted drive plus one unknown drive.
Tips Before Using Import and Export
Name the whitelist file clearly
Use a name that identifies the department, location, or device group so future administrators know what the list contains.
Keep a backup copy
Store the exported whitelist in a controlled admin folder so it can be reused if a PC is reinstalled or replaced.
Retest after importing
After importing, test one approved USB drive and one unapproved USB drive to confirm the policy behaves as expected.
Update the list when devices change
If a trusted USB drive is replaced, add the new drive, export a fresh whitelist, and redeploy it to the required machines.
USB Lock Whitelist FAQ
What does a USB whitelist do?
A USB whitelist allows approved USB drives to work while unknown or unapproved USB storage devices remain blocked by policy.
Can I add many USB drives to one whitelist?
Yes. Insert each approved drive and click Add. Repeat until the whitelist contains all trusted USB drives you want to allow.
Why export the USB whitelist?
Exporting saves the approved-device list so it can be reused, backed up, or deployed to other Windows PCs.
Is this the same as encrypting USB files?
No. Whitelisting controls which USB devices can be used on a PC. USB Encryption protects the files stored on the USB drive itself.
Use USB Lock to allow trusted USB drives and block unknown devices
Build a whitelist for approved USB drives, export it, and import the same list on other Windows PCs that need consistent removable-device control.
Buy USB Lock