More about disabling AutoRun in Windows XP

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Microsoft blew it big time. The latest issue of Windows Secrets Newsletter just hit my inbox, and Susan Bradley’s thorough analysis of the situation m
[See the full post at: More about disabling AutoRun in Windows XP]

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JB writes:

Because I know so little about computers I don’t even understand what Autorun is or what the problem is. Do I have to worry about something if I put a Costco pictures Cd in my computer with my family photos? Or if I install Hallmark Card Studio?? Or is there a problem with plugging things into USB ports?? Please explain in plain language as best as you can.

JB, until Microsoft sorts it all out, all you really need to do is remember to hold down the Shift key whenever you put something in your computer – USB drives, especially, but it doesn’t hurt to do the same thing with CDs or camera memory cards.

If you hold down the Shift key, Windows won’t come out and ask you if you want to play the music or view the photos, and it won’t automatically start playing songs or movies. In order to do that, you have to use some other part of Windows to open the data on the USB drive, CD, or memory card.

By the way, don’t be bashful! If you don’t follow one of my blog postings, I apologize in advance – I try not to get swept up in all of the confusing terminology, but sometimes I falter. Post a message here on AskWoody and I’ll be very happy to explain.

And if you have general questions about Windows or Office, feel free to click the link on the right to “Ask a question about Windows or Office in the Lounge.” Thousands of people in the Lounge are there to help. Free. No hassles.

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So Woody, what do you think of my method of using TweakUI to turn off Autorun on XP in an older blog related to the Autorun 967715 patches?

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Well, looks like the problem is that the registry key mentioned in the KB article is incorrect.

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I don’t know if it works in all cases. Interesting question.

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Tweak UI and the error in the KB article are covered in the Windows Secrets articles this time and last time. Tweak UI does not cover the problem, and the KB error is that the entry exists only in Vista. Susan Bradley posts in this week’s free Windows Secrets article what XP users should do.

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@Woody:

Only for XP. not all XP users should use TweakUI as I’ve conducted tests on it and confirmed the trick works on my XP machines. The TweakUI method does not apply for Vista & Server 2008.

@Bob Primak:

The TweakUI method only sidesteps or “works around” the problem as I’ve thoroughly tested on my XP computer when sticking in a USB flash drive. Have you yourself done actual testing on the Autorun problems on your computers?

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