Member Avatar for siskaj

Hello, I'd like to asked you how to enable the windows "popup menu" that is normally launched when the USB, DVD or CD device is inserted because I've had it disabled for about 5 months and I've decided to change it! I think that Kaspersky IS disabled autorun at USB device (during security check it found some like worm "autorun.inf"). I found a lot of articles like "How to disabled autostart in windows XP" where i'd have to change some values in regedit editor or in gpedit.msc - I tried it vice versa in regedit where I have a DWORD of autorun in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINES/..../services/cdrom set on "1", but I want to also autostart of USB and DVD turn back.
How can I get it enabled?

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A short expert summary tied to the thread: the popup asked for in the first post is the Windows AutoPlay dialog (the choice menu), not the low-level AutoRun engine that executes autorun.inf. Several helpful suggestions already appeared — tried Microsoft’s repair tool and pointed to Group Policy, while correctly suggested checking services — but two frequently missed causes explain why the dialog won’t show: Microsoft changed AutoRun/AutoPlay behavior for security, and antivirus can block autorun.inf before the dialog ever appears. (learn.microsoft.com)

Why USB often behaves differently: Microsoft released updates (KB967715 / KB971029) that restrict AutoRun for non-optical media (USB) to block worms, and many security products (Kaspersky, etc.) will suppress or remove autorun.inf during scans. That combination is why a FixIt may not restore the old XP behavior for flash drives. (learn.microsoft.com)

Actionable checklist (in order) that complements earlier replies:

  1. Verify Shell Hardware Detection (service name ShellHWDetection) is present, set to Automatic and running (open Services via services.msc).
  2. Check Local Group Policy (both Computer and User) → AutoPlay Policies; if a policy is forcing Autoplay off, set it back or choose CD/DVD only.
  3. Remove any NoDriveTypeAutoRun / NoDriveAutoRun values under both HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer and HKCU...Policies\Explorer (back up the registry first).
  4. Clear the per-device cache at HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2 (Windows caches device-specific autoplay rules here).
  5. Reboot. Example commands (run as admin): 
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoDriveTypeAutoRun /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoDriveTypeAutoRun /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2" /f

Back up the registry before changes; editing registry and services is what and were pointing toward but the cache and policy precedence are the parts often missed. (learn.microsoft.com)

Safety note: re-enabling autorun/AutoPlay for USB increases infection risk — Microsoft intentionally hardened this behavior and antivirus vendors do so for the same reason. If the popup is required for trusted optical media only, prefer limiting changes to CD/DVD, or use antivirus auto-scan for removable drives rather than permanently re-enabling autorun on USB. (learn.microsoft.com)

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

It would help if you told us what version of windows you are using!!!

Member Avatar for caperjack

hi, i ill assume because you are in the xp /2000 forum,also you mention xp in your post , ,you are using xp, this fixit.exe file from Microsoft will repair the setting automatically .

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for siskaj

caperjack: (correct estimate - I have been writing about Windows xp)I try to use the program from Microsoft from your link but it hasn't worked as I have imagened. It is for repairing of bad settings of the external device's autorun. I need that windows after connect some external device (or insert CD, DVD) will display something like popup window where will propose what I 'll be able to do with it. For example if I'll insert CD with some photos I 'll decide if I'd want to view them as a photo's presentation or open it in folder or without any action - that only close this dialog. Are we understanding each other now?

Member Avatar for caperjack

ok ,now i get it ,try this, go to mycomputer and right click on the cd rom icon go/ properties /auto play ,an choose media type from the drop down/check the radio button for what you want each type of media to do .

if you intentionally used a third party program to stop this action ,you may need to use it to change it back

Member Avatar for siskaj

My default state has been >>Always ask for a selection event<< and I've ticked in >>choose an action that you want to implement<< >>open folder and display files by explorer of windows<< and constantly never been happening after insert CD or DVD.

Member Avatar for caperjack

sorry ,that is the only two suggestions i have for you

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

What happens if you type "gpedit.msc" in the Run box? If the gpedit console comes up then you should be able to set the Autoplay parameters by expanding

Computer Configuration
Administrative Templates
Windows Components

then double clicking on "AutoPlay Policies"

In the right panel, double click on Turn Off Autoplay and disable it

Member Avatar for siskaj

However it was in subfolder >>System<< (not Windows components how you wrote) and I've disabled it and only one thing that happened if I insert USB device - Kaspersky IS found autorun.inf and mentioned "popup window" of what I want to do didn't display. (By the way: when I inserted the USB device second time, never happened not even check-up Kaspersky IS).

Member Avatar for Member #127113

Please check 'Shell Hardware Detection' service is enable or not by right clicking My computer > Manage > Services.

Member Avatar for siskaj

I tried it but I've never found any service like that (for check-up (local translates) right click on My computer/manage/services and applications/services) - only recognition of hardware (it is setting on enabled (of course, because without it I wouldn't be able to open root of any external device through explorer of windows)). What do I do in correct or where is the service Shell Hardware Detection, please?

Member Avatar for siskaj

I didn't find it there (right click on My computer/manage/services and applications/services) but only similar item was hardware recognition set on enable (of course, because otherwise I can't view content of root of connecting device).

Edited by siskaj because: n/a
Member Avatar for caperjack

the services are listed in alphabetical order ,so scroll don to the shell h d

i doubt that it will be of any help anyway,and will likely enabled.

Member Avatar for benmar

try the link above hope it works....

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