Can USB autorun be enabled on Windows without installing third-party software? Tried adjusting autoplay settings and registry tweaks, but no luck. Any suggestions?

Hello,Aalif Ahmed

Thank you for raising your question in the community about the USB autorun function in Windows systems.

According to your description, you want to automatically open a specific file when a USB drive is plugged in, but you encounter a problem that cannot be achieved automatically without installing third-party software. You have tried to solve the problem by adjusting the autoplay settings and modifying the registry, but it does not seem to have the desired effect.

In order to better assist you in solving your problem, I would like to know some further details:

1. What specific version of Windows operating system are you using? For example, Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.
2. What specific tweaks have you tried in the registry? Can you provide details of the registry key you are trying to modify?
3. Are there specific types of files that you want to autorun (like documents, executables, etc.), or are there specific applications that you want to launch automatically when USB is plugged in?

Typically, USB autorun on Windows for arbitrary files, such as executable programs, has been intentionally restricted for security reasons, especially from Windows 7 onwards. This restriction is in place to prevent malware from automatically executing when a USB drive is inserted into a computer.

However, there are some limited ways to work within the existing framework of Windows to achieve similar outcomes, depending on the exact requirements and the version of Windows you are using. It's crucial to proceed with caution and ensure that any changes you make do not compromise your system's security.

Always looking forward to hearing from you so we can discuss further, thank you!

Chandy |Microsoft Community Support Specialist