Why You Should Disable AutoRun and AutoPlay Permanently?

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AutoRun and AutoPlay are Windows OS enabled features that allow an inserted drive (e.g. USB memory) to run a script upon insertion. This is plain dangerous since an infected drive could lead to a Virus or Malware being installed on your PC.

How Can I Protect My Windows Machine?

Just permanently disable AutoPlay and AutoRun on your Windows machine.
Follow these steps:

Step #1: Disable AutoPlay

Click the MS key, type “AutoPlay” and select AutoPlay Settings, then click the “Off” toggle (see (1) below), then select “Take no action” from the Removable drive select box and “Take no action” from the Memory card select box.

Step #2: Disable AutoRun from the “Edit group policy”

1. Click the Microsoft Key button and type “Edit group policy” then click on the “Edit group policy” icon that shows up.
2. Open “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > AutoPlay Policies”
3. Double click on the entry “Turn off Autoplay”
4. From the Dialog that gets displayed click on “Enabled” and keep “All drives” selected from the Options section then click “OK” to save changes.
5. Next, double click on the entry “Set the default behavior for AutoRun”
6. From the Dialog, click on “Enabled” then select from the Options “Do not execute any autorun commands”
7. Click on the “Enabled” radio button.
8. Then keep “do not execute any autorun commands” selected then click OK to close the dialog and save your changes.

“Turn off Autoplay” from Edit group policy of Windows 10

“Set the default behavior for AutoRun” from Edit group policy of Windows 10

You’re all set now!

References: TechRepublic Article — How to disable AutoPlay and AutoRun in Windows 10