I installed VMWare player last week on my PC. Using their player software, I was able to create a partition for my Ubuntu Linux system that can be run from within Windows.
The installation went great, but I realized that some problems do not show up immediately.
Today I put my SD card in my memory card reader, expecting the Autorun menu to appear. Instead, I had nothing. I also did not have an “Autoplay” on the menu when right-clicking on the memory card in “My Computer.” Finally, the title of my card was no longer being displayed in My Computer.
Fortunately, the solution to these problems is simple. But first, the problem needs to be explained. When VMWare is installed, it modifies the Windows Registry to prevent Autorun.
This is probably a good idea. If you had your favorite Ubuntu distribution running from within Windows, and decided to put in a CD, you don’t want both Operating Systems to try to load the disc simultaneously. The easiest way to solve the problem is by disabling the Autorun feature.
Personally, I like Autorun. I take pictures all the time, and I like the convenience of popping my memory card into the computer and clicking the program I use to download my pictures and movies. Maybe it is not the coolest way to download pictures, but it certainly makes my life easier.
To re-enable the autorun feature in Windows XP (I heard that Vista is similar, but having never used the OS, except at the store, I have no guarantee that this works in Vista):
- Go to Start -> Run
- Type in “regedit” (No Quotes). This will bring up the Windows Registry Editor.
- As a side note, registry edits can hose your computer. Be very careful. Your edits are at your own risk.
- In the registry, delete the following keys:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutoRun
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoDriveTypeAutoRun
- Finally, ensure that HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CDRom\AutoRun has a value of “1.” Otherwise your DVDs and CDs will not Autoplay.
I have also created a script to accomplish these tasks. You can download Terry Pearson’s AutoRun Restore Script here.
- To Run the script, first download and save the zip file to your desktop.
- Unzip the file.
- Double click on the script.
- Windows will display a warning message. Click “Yes.”
A dialog box will then display telling you that the changes have successfully been entered into the registry.- Your Autoplay feature should work now.
Please note that I have made every attempt to ensure that this script is safe and work correctly, but it is ultimately your responsibility to check the safety and usability of any script you download on the internet.
You can learn more about registry scripts by going to WindowsITLibrary’s artivle on Registry Edits at http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/Content/237/1.html
Just to confirm the script is exactly the same for vista; although depending on your autoplay setings (because it’s autoplay in vista now) there may be a default value in there; but you can go into the control panel autoplay applet and reset everything how you like.
Hi Terry, Thanks for the nice comment, I have had this similar problem some days back.
Terry, can you fix the link to your Autorun Restore Script? I’d like to download it for safe-keeping and future use since your info fixed my post-VMware Autorun dilemma. Thanks.
Tried your ‘fix’ with no luck. Also tried the link to your Autorun Restore Script. That didn’t work either. I guess you just don’t care anymore. Seems to be very typical of MS Experts anymore.
HELLO,Terry,I really thanks for these message you written.I faced these problem for days.I just knew the problem happened because that I used VMware to installed Windows 7 RC.Although my OS is Vista,it has no second key you list.
Finally,I need to thank you for write this blog,and I need to say sorry to you. My English is poor,I can’t use fluent English to make my writings clear.
Very helpful tip! Helped solve a head banger of an issue.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We didn’t install the VMware, but had a bad virus problem instead. After all of the virus purging was done, autoplay was too. Thanks to you it is restored! A million thanks!
Joseph B. may also need to run Autofix.exe on whatever devices are not autoplaying. I think this can be done before or after he deletes the registry files. It worked for another person whose thread I followed to find yours. I ran it before I did the registry deletions and after I rebooted, autoplay came right up!!!