First, it makes it much more difficult for end users to be able to access software that they themselves have installed to their portable device like the Platform. While it does address the Conficker problem, Microsoft's solution has several shortcomings. CDs and DVDs would still be able to present users with the option to run content to end users. Users are given no indication that runnable content is on the drive. Microsoft's solution is to remove autoplay's ability to use an autorun.inf entirely for removable rewriteable drives. Windows 7 RC1 Approach: Disable It For USB/Hard Drives Only Users mistakenly select it and the malware installs itself on the local PC. It's designed to trick users into thinking they are opening the drive as usual by using an icon for a windows folder and setting the open text to 'Open folder to view files' just as Windows presents it. Background - ConfickerĬonficker and other malware is spread by 'infecting' a removable drive's autorun file. There is a better solution involving signed files which will make software distributed on CDs more secure as well. Unfortunately, this makes it more difficult for users to use portable environments like the Platform and other portable software and doesn't address malicious software on other media.

This is mainly due to the Conficker malware which spreads by tricking users into thinking they are opening the drive to explore folders. Microsoft recently announced changes to AutoPlay in Windows 7 that removes the ability for normal removable drives (USB flash drives, portable hard drives, etc) to be able to present users an option to autorun.

Usb autorun windows 7