Using AutoRun with a USB Flash Drive (USB stick) The AutoRun technology in Windows is often used to start programs and open menu interfaces on a CD or DVD automatically. But it is possible to do the same with a USB flash drive (USB stick)? Can the AutoRun technology be used with a USB flash drive?
How to Create an AutoRun File USB AutoRun is the term used when specific, predetermined digital content is automatically launched from your flash drive as soon as it is plugged into a memory port. The content can include items like a web page, interactive menu, multimedia presentation, a document, or an entire application.How to Make Windows Autorun USB Flash Drives HAL9000 Updated 3 years ago Windows 3 Comments Whenever you insert a CD, DVD, Floppy disk, portable hard drive or USB stick into your computer, the Windows operating system has the ability to automatically launch a program directly from the media or run a game installer etc.Creating an AutoRun-enabled application is a straightforward procedure. This topic uses CD-ROM as an example (it was the first medium to implement this technology) but today there are many different media types that can use it. To enable AutoRun in your application, you simply include two essential files: An Autorun.inf file; A startup application.
An autorun.inf file is a text file that can be used by the AutoRun and AutoPlay components of Microsoft Windows operating systems. For the file to be discovered and used by these component, it must be located in the root directory of a volume.
First we create a blank autorun.inf on the USB key. Even we wanted to load up our own programs via autorun.inf it will not be possible as once the change is done to disk the autorun.inf file cannot be even opened for it to load so therefore best to just keep it blank. Next we use our disk hex editor to open up our USB device in read and write mode.
Remember that you have to create new empty directory not file named with “Autorun.inf” in USB flash root drive using DOS. 12 Once this is successfully done, you don't need to worry about autorun.inf virus, because the folder created in USB flash drive will prevent to make new file by your system and change by any autorun virus.
Autorun.inf is traditionally in the root of a CD or DVD. But since Windows XP SP2 and later they can now be used for removable mass storage devices (i.e. flash drives or external harddrives). So this can also be placed in the root of your flash drive (and hide it).
How to remove autorun.inf virus on USB drive If their is autorun virus in the USB then whenever you insert it and double click to open it the virus will start executing and it will eventually start spreading into the computer in the form of copies of the autorun.inf and .exe files on every drive of your computer.
Just make your USB flash drive write protected and secure the device from getting virus infection. Because, when you insert the USB drive to a virus infected PC, the virus can’t infect your flash drive because the virus script can’t inject any malicious script and files into the targeted device as the device is read only and write protection is enabled in it.
In Windows Vista and higher, AutoRun cannot skip past AutoPlay. If there is an AutoRun.inf file, it will still be read, but instead of the application being launched automatically, a dialog box will pop up with a list of choices, some of which could be from the autorun.inf file. AutoRun vs. AutoPlay Example.
Delete any Autorun.inf files from the root of a mapped network drive. Do not give anyone Create rights to the root of a mapped network drive. Note After you implement this procedure, Autorun features will not be available from network drives. How to prevent users from connecting to USB storage devices.
USB Virus Protection. Direct Download Link. Autorun virus, as the name suggests uses the Autorun.inf feature in the Windows OS that is used for automatic launching of programs stored in removable media such as DVDs, USB Devices, CD ROMs, as well as Memory Sticks.
An action command in the Autorun.inf file of an audio CD or movie DVD is ignored, and these media continue to behave as in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) and earlier. The string displayed in the Autoplay dialog is constructed by combining the text specified in the action entry with hard-coded text naming the provider, provided by the Shell.
I am trying to get my USB Drive to do this automatically, on insert to any host computer. I may not always have admin. privileges. Please contact me if you know of a way to do this, or if you are.
The custom icon of a flash drive can be set with a special file, autorun.inf. Initially, it was developed to start apps from CD drives automatically, for example, to launch the Microsoft Office setup program automatically when you inserted its compact disc into the optical drive. It is a very old feature, first implemented in Windows 9x.
This autorun.inf file will also make itself difficult, maybe impossible, to be overwritten by any other program, thereby preventing any malware from deleting or altering it. Click on this link to download: BitDefender USB Immunizer from Softpedia.