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When using AutoRun Windows can detect and automatically start programs when new media is inserted into a drive. By default, CD-ROM and hard drives will automatically launch, but removable and network drives will not.
Open your registry and find or create the key below.
Create or modify a DWORD value for Windows 2000 and XP or binary value for Windows 95, 98 and Me called "NoDriveTypeAutoRun". This value is an 8-bit number that specifies which drive types AutoRun is disabled on. Each bit represents a different drive type.
| Bit | Drive Types |
|---|
| 0 | Unknown drives |
|---|
| 1 | No root directory |
|---|
| 2 | Removable drives (Floppy, ZIP) |
|---|
| 3 | Hard disk drives |
|---|
| 4 | Network drives |
|---|
| 5 | CD-ROM drives |
|---|
| 6 | RAM disk drives |
|---|
| 7 | Reserved |
|---|
The default value is "149" (decimal) which is equal to "95" (hex) and "" (binary). In binary this specifies that AutoRun should be disabled on Unknown (bit 0), Removable (bit 2), Network (bit 4) and Reserved (bit 7) drive types. (i.e. REG_DWORD: "0x00000095 (149)" or REG_BINARY: "")
Therefore to disable AutoRun on CD-ROM drives as well you would set enable bit 5 so that the value becomes "" (binary), "181" (decimal) or "B5" (hex). (i.e. REG_DWORD: "0x000000B5 (181)" or REG_BINARY: "B5 ")
To disable AutoRun on all drive types you would set this value to "" (binary), "255" (decimal) or "FF" (hex). (i.e. REG_DWORD: "0x000000FF (255)" or REG_BINARY: "FF ")
To enabled AutoRun on all drive types you would set this value to "" (binary), "128" (decimal) or "80" (hex). Bit 7 is left enabled because it is reserved. (i.e. REG_DWORD: "0x00000080 (128)" or REG_BINARY: "")
Restart Windows for the change to take effect.
 |  |  |  |  |
|  | (Default) | REG_SZ | (value not set) | |
|  | NoDriveTypeAutoRun | REG_DWORD | 0x00000095 (149) [Windows 2000, XP] | |
|  | NoDriveTypeAutoRun | REG_BINARY | [Windows 95, 98, Me] | |
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| HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\... |  |
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| Registry Settings |
User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
Value Name: NoDriveTypeAutoRun
Value Data: Bit-mask of Drive Types
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Related Tweaks
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.
Last Modified: August 20, 2002
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