NEWS /

Microsoft Pulls the Plug on AutoRun in Windows XP and Vista

10 Feb, 2011, 12:48 pm IST | by Sriram Gurunathan |

Microsoft, along with a host of other security updates, turned off AutoRun with a patch released on Patch Tuesday. AutoRun was the functionality that allowed programs to run directly when CDs, DVDs or USB drives were inserted.

Will no longer AutoRun

AutoRun was removed in order to curb security threats that abused the function. According to Holly Stewart from the Microsoft Malware Protection Centre, five of the top ten most popular malware families used the AutoRun function to proliferate. It wasn’t the only trick they used, but it certainly was the method that led to the most number of infections. Windows 7 has AutoRun turned off natively, and XP and Vista have finally caught up.

However, there are a lot of people who like the AutoRun feature, so Microsoft are also including a FixIt that will reverse the update.

Tags: Microsoft , Windows , Windows XP , Windows Vista , Patch Tuesday , Windows Update , Windows 7 , Malware , CDs , DVDs , USB Drives

RELATED STORIES

Microsoft gains ground in patent feud with Motorola over texting

Microsoft gains ground in patent feud with Motorola over texting

The tech world seems to be busy with lawsuits raining down from the high heavens between all the big players ...

Microsoft goes So.cl

Microsoft builds Kinectacles, Kinect Bridge for the blind and speech impaired

Intel Windows 8 tablets to hit markets in November

Microsoft joins Hybrid Memory Cube consortium to speed-up industry adoption

Dolby signs pact with Microsoft

Motorola scores MS Windows 7 OS and XBox ban in Germany

Googlighting

20 Feb, 2012, 11:48 pm IST

Googlighting

 

Leaked Images, Availability, Pricing,
Specs, Pre-order

Photos

High Court Order - Madras

High Court Order - Madras

17 May, 2012, 04:22 PM

2.3

Trials Evolution

Trials Evolution

12 May, 2012, 10:33 AM

Sniper Elite V2

Sniper Elite V2

09 May, 2012, 10:04 PM

3.6

MORE PHOTOS

OPINIONS

Padmini Harchandrai

The latest "should they-shouldn't they" event with Facebook is the lift of the minimu...

MORE OPINIONS

features

Portable Wi-Fi Drives for your smartphone

Portable Wi-Fi Drives for your smartphone

Fed up of the limited storage on your mobile device? Here are some devices

By Aaron Almeida

Top 5 potential Gmail alternatives

Top 5 potential Gmail alternatives

Google’s Gmail service is arguably the most advanced and feature-packed...

By Naina Khedekar

Five ways to beat the petrol hike

Five ways to beat the petrol hike

Petrol prices went up by a considerable amount post Wednesday, and this...

By Karan Shah

MORE FEATURES

On video: HTC One V

On video: HTC One V

18 May, 2012, 04:44 AM

4.5

On video: Cowon Z2 (16GB)

On video: Cowon Z2 (16GB)

15 May, 2012, 04:58 PM

2.3

On video: Samsung WB150F

On video: Samsung WB150F

08 May, 2012, 04:23 AM

5.0

MORE VIDEOS

776 views

1129 views

630 views

MORE WALLPAPERS