Autorun is a feature that has been included in the Windows Operating System (OS) since the deployment of Windows 95. The utility program will automatically launch media such as DVDs, CDs, USB devices, and memory sticks in order to let the end-user automatically view, manipulate, or run programs stored on the devices. The application uses the atorun.inf file that is stored in the rood directory of the media which contains a list of commands for Windows to execute when the device or drive is opened. Although Autorun is designed to be a Windows OS usability feature, there are a number of computer viruses that use the functionality of the autorun.inf file to spread to Windows computers through the automatic execution of the commands stored in this file. A common task for Windows users is disabling the Autorun feature.

How to Disable Autorun in Windows 95/98/Me

Step 1 – Select the “Start,” “Settings,” and “Control Panel” menu options.

Step 2 – Click the “Device Manager” menu tab and click the “CD-ROM” folder.

Step 3 – Choose the “CD-ROM” on your computer and then select the “Properties” menu option.

Step 4 – Click the “Settings” menu tab and turn off the “Autorun Insert” notification menu option.

Step 5 – Click “OK” twice and Autorun will be disabled.

How to Disable Autorun in Windows NT/2000

Step 1 – Open the “MS DOS” prompt by selecting the “Start” and “Run” menu options and enter “cmd” in the search text field followed by the “enter” menu button.
Step 2 – Enter “regedit” followed by the “Enter” key to open the registry editor and navigate to find the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/Cdrom

Step 3 – Edit the value to “0” for Autorun to disable the feature.

Step 4 – Exit RegEdit and Autorun will be disabled.

How to Disable Autorun in Windows XP

Step 1 – Press the “Windows” and “E” keys simultaneously to open Windows Explorer.

Step 2 – Right click the “CD-ROM” drive and choose the “Properties” menu option.

Step 3 – Click the “AutoPlay” menu tab and click the “disable autorun” option on the pull-down menu on each list item it is available on.

Step 4 – Click the “Ok” menu button to disable Autorun on Windows XP.

How to Disable Autorun in Windows Vista

Step 1 – Open the Windows Control Panel by selecting the “Start,” “Settings,” and “Control Panel” menu buttons.

Step 2 – Select the “Play CDs or other media automatically” menu option.

Step 3 – Uncheck the box beside “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices” which will disable Autorun for all media devices on Windows Vista.

How to Disable Autorun in Windows 7

Step 1 – Press the “Win” and “R” keys simultaneously to open the “Run” dialogue box.

Step 2 – Enter “Gpedit.msc” followed by the “enter” key.

Step 3 – Select “Computer Configuration,” “Administrative Templates,” and “Windows Components” menu buttons.

Step 4 – Right click the “Turn Off Autoplay” menu option followed by the “Edit” menu button.

Step 5 – Select the “Disabled” menu option and choose “All Drives” from the drop down menu listing followed by the “Apply” button to disable Autoplay in Windows 7.