As a newcomer, I have just installed PortableApps to a USB flash drive together with some of my favourite apps.
When I plug in the drive, Windows 7 thinks it just contains pictures for some reason and only gives me two options: "Import Pictures and Videos" or "Open folder to view files". Is there anything I can change on the drive to force Windows to autorun the Start.exe program?
PS: I did a search on 'autorun' first (of course!), but didn't find anything relevant.
PPS: First heard of PortableApps a couple of days ago via piece on BBC Click (TV technology programme).
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Microsoft disabled autorun function definitely on w7 and via updates also on their other operating systems.
This was very vise I think, as the usb devices became very big source of spreading malware and the start with one simple file did open door to any kind of misuse.
Otto Sykora
Basel, Switzerland
The autorun feature (or lack of) has been discussed quite a lot here, but to sum up the bits important to you, Windows 7 cannot autorun programs from a USB drive, and unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to or on the drive to change that.
You could create a desktop shortcut (if it is your own computer) which will run Start.exe from the drive.
If it isn't your computer, there is nothing that can be done about it, sorry.
Thanks for the explanations.
You might want to check out USBDLM. One of the options you can configure is to auto-run your USB drives. You can also "secure" the auto-run function to specific drives that include an autorunkey=somethingorother in the autorun.ini file on the USB drive. It's not a perfect solution as someone with access to your USB drive or machine could figure out what to put on their USB drive to auto-run whatever they wanted.
I have USBDLM in use throughout the school district I work at as it also does drive letter management (this is actually the main point behind the development of USBDLM) so that Windows doesn't try using networked mapped drive letters for the USB drives. It automatically assigns a valid drive letter to whatever USB drive gets plugged in.
I also have it block U3 style partitions.
Thanks for the USBDLM tip. Looks like a neat app.
There was another app that someone developed and posted here, https://portableapps.com/node/29307, that provided autorun type functionality that you might be interested in also.
And being a user of some U3 devices I don't think you need to block the U3 CD partition. It's non-writable and provides security for the files on the writable partition. Which in my opinion is the major advantage of U3 devices.
Ed
Granted, I don't need to block U3. I just prefer to.
Hey,
I know you posted this about 2 years ago, but how exactly do you get USBLDM to work?
I downloaded the program, but all that happens is the help file opens when I run it.
I'm assuming I need to run it as a batch file or configure something?
If you could PM me(I don't know how to do that on this site >
Hi,
I found an useful article which helped me to create own autorun USB : http://visualdesigning.com/articles/how-to-create-autorun-usb-drive/
Nice find JimPol! I used it to create myself an autorun USB. In case anyone else sees this... I followed the instructions using the link JimPol provided except instead of using the cd image creator in the tutorial I did the following:
**First make a backup of your USB drive because you will format it.**
1. Create an Autorun.inf with the following in it:
2. Create a .bat file named LaunchPortableApps.bat with the following contents:
*It will need to be edited to match whatever you choose to name your drive keep it short for ease and make sure you use ALL CAPS.
*Also if you don't have PortableApps on your root directory you will need to edit the START line to the correct path.
3.Copy the usb.ico from PortableApps\PortableApps.com\App\Graphics\usb.ico and place with other new files.
4.Using an .iso creator (I used ImgBurn) create an iso image containing the above 3 files.
5.Continue following the tutorial and use the newly created iso image for the CD-ROM Image for step 4. Also change the secure label under the partition 2 section to the name you chose in the .bat file you created above also ALL CAPS.
6.Finish the rest of the tutorial then move all of your usb contents back to the new usb partition and you'll have an auto playing usb drive on any older machine and you can also check the check-mark to auto launch on any windows 7 PC when you replug.
PROFIT!!
This isn't general, but JTH made a system for PA.c platform - I use this on my home system to autostart my PA stick whenever I plug it in. https://portableapps.com/node/13770 (note: rename the exe in the drive root to StartPortableApps.exe to make it work - it has changed name in latest release)
a neat little free program that works from your usb drive to autorun portableapps.com.exe. Or any other files you choose.
http://download.cnet.com/MyPendrive/3000-2094_4-10589782.html?tag=api
Since the program is 5 years old and Microsoft has disabled the autorun on insertion I was curious if this still works for you? PortableApps has its own autorun, Windows will not allow it.
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss
Enable autorun for USB drives on Windows 7, no changes are needed on the USB drive, works with the standard autorun.inf:
http://leelusoft.blogspot.com/2013/04/apusb-47-10.html
UrbanMan
Only the Windows default has been disabled.
There is nothing to stop a 3rd party application monitoring the connection of drives and to interpret and run the file stated in the autorun.inf.
It is a basic security measure, to restrict malware transmitted via removable media.
If at first you do not succeed, use more sticky tape.