Autorun.inf Files - Completely Block

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    Autorun.inf Files - Completely Block

    Autorun.inf Files - Completely Block

    How to Completely Block and Disable Autorun.inf Files in Windows
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    Designer Media Ltd


    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 - Security Research & Defense - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

    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.
    Autorun.inf Files - Completely Block-default.jpg

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







  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #1

    Thanks
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    You're most welcome Yashar. :)
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8,679
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    Thank you Brink! Great tutorial!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you Boshko. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 477
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32 Bit, Windows Developer Preview, Linux Mint 9 Gnome 32 Bit
       #5

    Good tutorial as usual from you, Brink.

    Some malware that infect USB flashdrives include an Autorun.inf file that makes the flashdrive's icon go wrong as well as help run or initialize the malware to do its thing. Will blocking Autorun.inf files prevent this from happening as well??
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hello Vertex,

    The tutorial will allow you to block the icon and label autorun items from running, but the other autorun items are already blocked by default. :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10
    windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #7

    thanks for the reg file ...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    You're welcome Kamoteprotocol, and welcome to Seven Forums. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 934
    Windows 8.1 ; Windows 7 x86 (Dec2008-Jan2013)
       #9

    "It is important to note that this applies to any autorun.inf in any location and on any drive."

    "This workaround have the drawback is that installation of software from an autorunning install CD or DVD is no longer automatic. It will be necessary to view the CD's autorun.inf file and then execute the appropriate install program manually."
      My Computer


 
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