Autorun.inf Files - Completely Block

How to Completely Block and Disable Autorun.inf Files in Windows​

   Information

When a CD/DVD disc is inserted or a USB drive is connected to your system, Windows looks in the root directory of the new disc or drive for a file named autorun.inf. If found, Windows executes the instructions (keys) in that file.

For more about: Autorun vs Autoplay – What’s the Difference?

Since Windows 7, Vista, and XP, two important changes were made to help improve security:

NOTE: For more on this, see: AutoRun changes in Windows 7 - MSRC

1. AutoPlay will no longer support the AutoRun functionality for non-optical removable media. In other words, AutoPlay will still work for CD/DVDs but it will no longer work for USB drives. For example, if an infected USB drive is inserted on a machine then the AutoRun task will not be displayed. This will block the increasing social engineer threat highlighted in the SIR. The dialogs below highlight the difference that users will see after this change. Before the change, the malware is leveraging AutoRun (box in red) to confuse the user. After the change, AutoRun will no longer work, so the AutoPlay options are safe.
2. A dialog change was done to clarify that the program being executed is running from external media.

By default in Windows now, the only [Autorun] keys available for USB/removable drives are below. The rest of the keys are ignored.

• label - This key is responsible for displaying a custom name (label) for a CD/DVD or USB drive in Computer when a CD/DVD is inserted or a USB drive is connected.
• icon - This key is responsible for displaying a custom icon for a CD/DVD or USB drive in Computer when a CD/DVD is inserted or a USB drive is connected.

This tutorial will allow you to completely block and disable all keys in autorun.inf files from being able to execute from any location and on any drive. This will affect all users on your XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 computer.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to apply this tutorial.

   Note

If autorun.inf files are set to be blocked below, then the installation startup process of software from any autorunning installation CD/DVD will no longer be automatic. It will be necessary to view the CD/DVD's autorun.inf file, and then execute the appropriate EXE install file manually.

EXAMPLE: Autorun.inf Files Unblocked and Blocked
NOTE: This example is with the icon key.




Here's How:1. To Completely Block and Disable Autorun.inf FilesA) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.Block_Autorun.inf_Files.reg


Download




2. To Unblock Autorun.inf Files Back to Default
NOTE: This is the default setting to allow the icon and label keys to work again for autorun.inf files.A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 3 below.Unblock_Autorun.inf_Files.reg


Download




3. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

6. Restart the computer to fully apply.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Turn AutoPlay On or Off in Windows 7
• How to Turn AutoPlay On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Enable or Disable AutoPlay for Drives in Vista, Widows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Change a Drive Icon in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Rename a Drive in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• Enable or Disable AutoPlay for Non-volume Devices in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[Brink]

That's great news Romiadam. Thank you for posting back with your results and solution.

 

[espatjr]

Thank You Sir.

 

[nen3i]

thank you very much for this solution.

my drives icons were not recognized anymore by w10 and i was desperately looking for a solution without having to reinstall windows. because after looking across multiple sites and nothing worked, this was my last resort, reinstall. but i finally changed the keywords that i was searching for and i found this solution which is great and simple. thank you

 

[Brink]

I'm glad to hear this was able to help Nen, and welcome to Seven Forums.