Security — AutoPlay in Windows 7

One of the features that has impressed me in Windows 7 has been very evident as I have been installing software into the Windows 7 RC (Release Candidate) that I've installed as a dual-boot on my notebook computer. I'm dual-booting with Windows XP Professional.

When you insert a software CD or DVD, Windows pops up an AutoPlay dialog box that allows you to install or run programs from the media or to open a Windows Explorer folder to view the files.

It also has a checkbox that says "Always do this for software and games:" — do not put a checkmark in the box! This security check is too valuable to you &mdsah; it prevents the CD/DVD from automatically installing something.

To install, as indicated in the image on the left below, click on the Run option. Notice that it tells you the name of the program that will run and who publishes the program.

In the image on the right, notice that the bottom link in the dialog box will show you the options for all the AutoPlay functions.

In the dialog box below, first notice the headers. The "Hardware and Sound" is telling you where you can find this dialog box in the Windows 7 Control Panel. "AutoPlay" indicates which option on the Hardware and Sound dialog box will give this screen.

I've picked a few of the options so far. I may change them at any time, but I probably won't.

Notice also that I have not set the default handling for Blank CD's, blank DVD's or Blank BlueRay Disks. I need to do that. I haven't tested to see what happens if it's not set — but I imagine it will ask me what to do.

Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.