Understand why AutoRun no Longer Works for Some USB Devices

AutoRun is the mechanism that proposes a default action when you insert an optical disc in the drive. For

example, the contents of a file called AutoRun on the inserted CD is responsible for suggesting the action

Run index.html.

Because of the rising incidence of malware that uses AutoRun to induce unwary users into running Trojan

horses, the designers of Windows 7 decided to disable AutoRun capability on USB devices other than

removable optical media.

Because of this security change, some devices that executed programs automatically when plugged into a

Windows Vista computer might appear not to work in Windows 7. If your device seems inert when attached

to your Windows 7 system, don’t assume it’s broken. Open Computer in Windows Explorer, and then open

the entry for your device. You will probably find a file there called AutoRun. Opening that file in Notepad will

reveal the name of the program that would run automatically had AutoRun not been disabled for your

device. Run that program from Windows Explorer.