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Disable AutoRun in Windows 8

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

AutoRun used to automatically start programs from USB drives and CDs/DVDs. It’s a security risk, so it’s disabled by default in Windows 8. This guide shows you how to check its status and manage settings if needed.

How to Disable AutoRun in Windows 8

  1. Open Control Panel: Press the Windows key + X, then select ‘Control Panel’.
  2. Navigate to AutoPlay: In Control Panel, type ‘AutoPlay’ into the search box (top right) and click on ‘AutoPlay’.
  3. Uncheck “Use AutoPlay for all media and devices”: This is the main setting. If this box is ticked, AutoRun is enabled for most drives. Untick it to disable AutoRun completely.
  4. Configure Individual Drive Types (Optional): Even with ‘Use AutoPlay…’ unchecked, you can set specific actions for different drive types:
    • Select a drive type from the dropdown menu (e.g., Removable drive, DVD).
    • Choose an action:
      • “Take no action”: This disables AutoRun for that drive type. Recommended for security.
      • “Open folder to view files”: Opens File Explorer when the drive is connected.
      • Other options may be available depending on your system.
  5. Save Changes: Click ‘Save’ at the bottom of the AutoPlay window.

Checking Group Policy Settings (Advanced – Windows 8 Pro/Enterprise)

If you have a professional or enterprise version of Windows 8, Group Policy settings can override your Control Panel changes. Here’s how to check:

  1. Open Run: Press the Windows key + R.
  2. Type ‘gpedit.msc’ and press Enter: This opens the Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. Navigate to AutoRun Policies: In the left pane, navigate to: 
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > AutoPlay Policies
  4. Check “Turn off AutoRun”: Double-click this setting.
    • If it’s set to ‘Enabled’, AutoRun is disabled for all drives.
    • If it’s set to ‘Not Configured’ or ‘Disabled’, Control Panel settings will apply.
  5. Configure if necessary: If the policy is enabled and you want AutoRun, change it to ‘Disabled’. Click ‘Apply’ then ‘OK’.

Registry Editor (Advanced – Use with Caution)

Modifying the registry incorrectly can cause serious problems. Back up your registry before making changes.

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press Windows key + R, type ‘regedit’ and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to AutoRun Key: Go to: 
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
  3. Check NoDriveTypeAutoRun: This DWORD value controls which drive types are affected.
    • A value of ‘0xFF’ disables AutoRun for all drives.
    • Other values represent specific drive types (see Microsoft documentation).
  4. Modify if necessary: Double-click ‘NoDriveTypeAutoRun’ and change the value to your desired setting. Click ‘OK’.

Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

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