AUTORUN.INF

Autorun.inf, What is it?

Autorun.inf is the primary instruction file associated with the Autorun function. Autorun.inf itself is a simple text-based configuration file that tells the operating system which executable to start, which icon to use, and which additional menu commands to make available. In other words, autorun.inf tells Windows how to deal open the presentation and treat the contents of the CD. The entire sequence is initiated when the "disk change notifcation" polling discovers a new disk in the CD or DVD ROM drive. Then, if the "Auto insert notification" feature is enabled (it is by default), Windows checks in the new disk's root directory for the existence of an "autorun.inf" file. If found, Windows then reads and follows the specific instructions this file defines. If no autorun.inf file is found, then Windows refers to the new disk by its serial number and executes the default actions associated with the (data or audio) content on the disk. The Autorun.inf file defines the following: The process or application that will automatically run when a disk is inserted Optionally, one can define the process or application that will run for specific Operating environments. The icon that will represent your application's CD or DVD when the drive is viewed with My Computer or Explorer. Menu commands displayed when the user right-clicks the CD-ROM icon from My Computer or Explorer. How to Test Autorun.inf Without Burning to a CD It is possible to test an Autorun.inf file without burning all the necessary files onto CD-ROM, as long as the computer has autorun enabled on at least one of its removeable devices. More information on such procedures to enable autorun can be found here. By utilizing the following methods, constant refining of the Autorun.inf file is possible without the need to burn multiple CDs. Using removable media (Floppy/Zip/etc...) 1. Enable autorun on the desired removable media drive. 2. Copy the autorun.inf and all dependant files onto the removable media. 3. Remove and insert the media. Using a Virtual Drive 1. Download and install a virtual CD/DVD-ROM emulator, such as the tool available from Daemon-Tools. 2. Using CD-Burning software, such as provided by Nero or Roxio, create a CD project with the Autorun.inf file inserted into the root directory of the CD. 3. Save the project to a CD project file, usually with a .bin or .iso or .cdi extension, with the CD-Burning software. 4. Using the CD/DVD-ROM emulator, load the project file into the virtual drive. This has the same effect as physically inserting the CD with the Autorun.inf into the CD/DVD-ROM. A simple Autorun.inf example: [autorun] open=autorun.exe icon=autorun.ico A complex Autorun.inf example: This example is used in the following section for complete definition and descriptions. [autorun] open=filename.exe /argument1 icon=\foldername\filename.dll,5 [autorun.mips] open=filenam2.exe icon=filename.ico [autorun.alpha] open=filenam3.exe icon=filename.ico [autorun.ppc] open=filenam4.exe icon=filename.ico shell\install = &Install shell\install\command = setup.exe shell\uninstall = &UnInstall shell\uninstall\command = Uninstall.exe shell\readme = &Read Me shell\readme\command = notepad readme.txt shell\help = &Help shell\help\command = helpfilename.hlp This section describes the configuration of the Autorun.inf file and each of the potential items. Example Autorun File: Description: [autorun] [autorun] is the primary, required section name. open=filename.exe /argument1 Open is the keyword to determine what action to take upon insert notification. filename.exe is the value defining the application that will be automatically started. /argument1 is the argument, parameter or switch passed to the application being run. Logically, any command line parameters used must be supported by the application. icon=\foldername\filename.dll,5 Icon is the keyword to determine the icon used for the disk. filename.dll is the value defining the file containing the icon. ,5 is the argument to the icon resource defining which icon to display. Note: By default, the system looks for the file in the root directory of the inserted disk. If you want to access a file located in a specific folder or subdirectory, specify a path relative to the root. Example: open = foldername\filename.exe This will not change the current directory. Although AutoPlay is the default menu item, you can define a different command to be the default by including the following line. shell = verb When the user double-clicks on the icon, the command associated with this entry will be carried out. Note: a more common method of defining the icon resouce is an explicit reference to a .ico file. Example: icon=autorun.ico Note: The icon defined representing your application's CD or DVD is the drive icon as viewed with My Computer or Explorer. Valid file types containing icons include .ICO .BMP .EXE .DLL If the file includes more than one icon, by default, the second icon in the files icon resource will be displayed. Example Autorun File: Description: [autorun.mips] Defining the autorun items for a mips machine open=filenam2.exe The platform specific application to run icon=filename2.ico The platform specific autorun icon [autorun.alpha] Defining the autorun items for a DEC Alphamachine open=filenam3.exe The platform specific application to run icon=filename3.ico The platform specific autorun icon [autorun.ppc] Defining the autorun items for a Power PC open=filenam4.exe The platform specific application to run icon=filename4.ico The platform specific autorun icon shell\install = &Install The Keyword defining a menu item and the Hot key for that item shell\install\command = setup.exe The keyword defining the operation to perform when the user selects this item shell\uninstall = &UnInstall Additional menu item example shell\uninstall\command = Uninstall.exe Additional menu item example shell\readme = &Read Me Additional menu item example shell\readme\command = notepad readme.txt Additional menu item example shell\help = &Help Additional menu item example shell\help\command = helpfilename.hlp Additional menu item example