HMTech.ca

For security purposes, I always run as a limited user under Windows XP. Although it’s more secure to run Windows this way, it also causes a lot of inconveniences. One of which occurred earlier today, when I tried to disable XP’s autoplay feature.

Autoplay would scan my external hard drive every time I connected it to the computer. Not only is this annoying, it’s also a security risk, because autoplay could inadvertently execute malicious code on any external storage device that connects to my computer.

Autoplay scanning the external drive

After quickly searching Google, I found two solutions. Solution #1 is for WinXP Pro users and Solution #2 is for WinXP Home users.

(more…)

Usually when you insert a CD-ROM, thumb drive, external hard disk, or memory card into your computer, Windows will ask you what you want to do with it. However, sometimes, settings in Windows can be misconfigured causing AutoRun not to work.

There’s a utility called “Autofix” available from Microsoft that will automatically fix any misconfiguration so that Autoplay will work. You can download Autofix from Microsoft’s website:

Autofix Download Link