The automatic program launch feature was developed and implemented by Microsoft with the best of intentions. It was first implemented in the Windows 95 operating system. It is easy to calculate that more than 17 years have passed since then, which means a very long time for the computer field, where technologies change almost every year, so it’s not surprising that many users are wondering “how to disable autostart programs. "
The meaning of autorun is the following: when a new media is connected to a Windows-based computer, whether it be a CD or a flash drive, the operating system scans the media root folder for a special file - autorun.inf. When it is detected, the execution of the command written in it is initialized. Usually, an interactive user shell is launched, allowing you to selectively install the desired program (in the case of a data disk). It may also start playing music or a movie (multimedia disc). In fact, there is a wide variety of programs that run through autorun (autorun). In general, the included autorun function greatly simplifies the use of a computer, which is especially important for beginners and people who do not want to delve into other ways to launch programs. It is quite clear that for this they do not need to figure out how to remove startup programs.
The structure of the autorun file is extremely simple: it contains the path to the application executable file. With proper skill, you can easily tweak it with a text editor for your needs.
When the autorun function is activated in the operating system, but the file is missing from the media, a more complete scan occurs. Based on the detected file types, the user is offered a choice of actions: “view” for images, “play” for audio recordings, etc.
Why do you need to know how to disable autorun programs? The fact is that some bad people, better known as virus writers, decided to use the perfect loophole to spread their malware. There is nothing easier than spreading the virus through avtoran. When a storage medium (flash drive, disk) is connected to an infected computer, the virus copies itself onto them and creates a hidden autorun file. It is enough to connect such a medium to a “clean” computer with the autorun function enabled, such as the autorun file, with the paths prescribed for the virus, performed by the operating system, which causes infection.
Everyone who wanted to disable autorun has long figured out how to disable autorun programs. In principle, this distribution method is designed for beginners who ignore basic computer security, in the form of antiviruses and disabling startup.
In addition to the additional danger of infecting your computer with a virus through autorun.inf, this feature has not been popular for a long time, since the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. The disadvantages that force the user to search for the answer to the question "how to disable autorun programs" are as follows:
- the computer should be controlled by the user, allowing you to intervene in the process, adjusting it. Autostart is performed independently;
- Many discs, especially ones recorded at home, do not have an autorun file. When they are connected, the system scans folders, which sometimes takes a long time;
- some disks from long storage stop reading normally and take a long time to initialize. To consider such a drive with the autorun function turned on is a headache for the user.
There are several ways to disable autorun in WinXP: from editing the registry to third-party programs. It is convenient to use the free XP Tweaker program. Multimedia - CDs - Disable autorun.
In Win 7, the disconnection is made in the Control Panel: autorun (uncheck).
If you need to remove the program from autorun, then press the Win + R combination (or the “Run” command), in the window we type msconfig (Enter). Select "startup" and adjust the list of programs.