Autorun commands are usually amass in Autorun.inf files. The commands enable applications to begin, establish installation programs, or/and initiate other routines. In all the different versions of Windows (before Windows Vista), when media that contains an “Autorun” command is introduced, the system mechanically runs the program with no user involvement. The code may be run without user’s familiarity or approval; users may wish to render this feature inoperative because of security apprehensions. The configuration settings described in the article give Administrators the facility to select or totally put out of action all Autorun facilities for systems that run selected Windows software such as Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 systems.

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are designed in a way to help the user in knowing when an Autorun command is to be run. An Administrator can wholly halt Autorun commands or regress to the previous Windows Vista activities of routinely executing the Autorun command. In case the facet is configured to stop Autorun facilities, or if a policy is not configured, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 software will carry on to guide the user regarding the Autorun command.

Procedure to disable Autorun features in Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000

Below mentioned is the procedure in which Autorun facility can be stopped in Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista:

  • First of all, go to the Start icon and click it once, now type “Gpedit.msc” in the search. After doing so, execute the command by clicking “Enter”.(If password is asked for, type it and click “Allow”)
  • Expand Windows Components and Administrative Templates, present in Computer Configuration. Now, click Autoplay Policies.
  • Click “Turn off Autoplay” twice.(It can be located in Details panel)
  • After clicking “Enable”, you can choose all the drives on which you want to stop Autorun. Just select those drives in “Turn off Autoplay” panel.
  • After executing the above mentioned process correctly, restart your computer to verify the disabling of Autorun features.

After knowing how to disable Autorun in Windows server or Windows Vista, now let’s see the same feature by using group policy settings in Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional, and Windows 2000:

  • Type “Gpedit.msc” in the Run tab (found in “Start” menu) and click “Ok”.
  • Enlarge “Administrative Template” (in Computer configuration) and find “System” in it. Once found click on the same.
  • Now proceed to “Settings” and right click “Turn off Autoplay” (it can be named as “Disable Autoplay” in some software) in it. Subsequently click on properties.
  • Once you click “Enable”, you can select all the drives in which you wish to disable Autoplay. Just select the drives in “Turn off Autoplay” box appearing on the screen.
  • Now, subsequent to your clicking “Ok” the “Turn off Autoplay properties” dialog box will close down.
  • If all the steps are followed appropriately, then Autorun would be disabled after you restart your computer.