[HELP] Disabling Autoplay functionality to avoid malware?

Question

I have a USB drive that is potentially infected with virus/malware, since I inserted it in a computer at my university library. I now wish to use it in my laptop, but under no circumstances want my it to be infected. If I disable the Autorun/Autoplay functionality and then scan the USB using Windows Security, is there any probability of the virus still infecting my laptop? Or is there any other way I can run the scan without the USB infecting my laptop?

For reference, my laptop is running the latest Windows 11.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi Vanaj,

Sorry, I was offline.

Rest assured inserting a USB drive and having it open in File Explorer, is not counted as an AutoPlay that can affect your system, it is only if an AutoPlay.inf file is executed that can cause malware to spread to your PC, and Microsoft have deliberately blocked the execution of that type of AutoPlay in Windows 10 and 11, because that is how malware is spread.

Rest assured, your PC cannot be infected by just opening the drive in File Explorer, you do not need to worry about that, you are safe.

Answer 2

Hi Vanaj

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Microsoft disabled AutoPlay for all USB drives by default in Windows 10 and 11. if that is already enabled manually, then please disable that.

Rest assured, it is okay to have that set to do nothing or to open the USB drive in File Explorer when it is inserted, that will not cause any executable code on the USB to be active.

Then insert the USB and scan that with Defender or your preferred anti-virus.

Answer 3

Hi Dave! Thanks for your reply.

Just to clarify- the moment I insert any USB pen drive into the port, the File Explorer pops up with the files and folders of the newly-inserted USB drive. I am not sure if that qualifies as Autoplay- but I'm apprehensive if plugging in alone could lead to malware or virus entering the PC.

My laptop is fairly new, and I cannot afford any virus infection, due to the nature of my work. At the sake of repetition- could you please confirm you are fairly certain that plugging in the USB drive would not lead to any virus or malware entering my PC?

Thank you so much, really appreciate the help!