Autorun.inf is the primary instruction file associaded 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 munu commands to make available. In other words, utorun.inf tells window how
to deal open the presentation and treat to contents of the CD.

The entire sequence is initiated when to "disk change notification" 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 chechs
in the new disk's root directory for the existence of an "autoinf" 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 ist serial number and exxcutes the default actions associated with the (data ro 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 enviroments.
The icon that will represent your applications's CD or DVD when the drive is viewed whit My Computer or
Explorer.
Menu commands displayed when the user right-clicks the CD-Rom icon form My Computer or Explorer.

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.mlps]
open=filename2.exe
icon=filename.icon
[autorun.alpha]
open=filename3.exe
icon=filename.ico
[autorun.ppc]
open=filename4.exe
icon=filename.ico
shell\install\=&install
shell\uninstall=&uninstall
shell\uninstall\command=uninstall.exe
shell\readme=&Read me
shell\readme\command=notepad redme.tex
shell\help=&Help
shell\help\command=helpfilename.hlp

This section describes the configuration of the Autorun.inf file and each of the potential items.

Eaample Autorun File: Description:

[autorun] [autorun]is the primary, required section name.

Open=filename.exe/argument1
icon=\foldername\filename.dll,5
Open is the keyword to determine what action to take upon
insert notification
filename.exe is the valve defining the application that will
be automaticall 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 is the keyword to determine the icon used for the disk.
filename.dll is the value defining the file containint 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 AutopPlay is the default menu item, you can define a different command to be the default by
including the follwoing line. shell = berb

When the user double-clicks on the icon, the command associated with this entry will be carried out.

Note: The icon defined representing your application's CD or DVD is the drive icon as viewed with My
Computer or Explorer. Vaild 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.tex Additional menu item example
shell\help=&Help Additional menu item example
shel\help\command=helpfilename.hlp Additional menu item example

Eelow are some of the commands\entries in the Autorun.inf file described beriefly. A more detailed descrip-
tion can be found at the following Microsoft page: Autorun.inf Entries

OPEN=
The OPEN command specifies the path and file name of the application that AutoRun launches when a user
inserts a disc in the drive. You can also specify parameters/arguments to the application.

ICON=
The ICON command specifies an icon which represents the AutoRun-enabled drive in the Windows user
interface. The icon is normally an .ico file, but can also be a .bmp, .exe or .dll file containg icon information.
The icon file must be in the same directory as the file specified by the OPEN command.

LABEL=
The LABEL command specifies a text label which represents the AutoRun-enabled drive in the Windows
user interface. This text label is for example in Windows Exploreer showed to the right or below the drive
icon.

SHELLEXECUTE=
The SHELLEXECUTE command starts an application or opens a doucment. Works only in newer Windows
systems.

SHELL=
The SHELL command specifies a default command for the drive's shortcut menu. The shortcut menu of the
drive is the menu that is opened when the user right click on the drive icon.

SHELL\VERB=
The SHELL\VERB command adds a custom command to the drive's shortcut menu. This custom command
can for example be used to launch an application on the CD\DVD
ACTION=
ACTION is a relative new command that was introdeced in Windows XP SP2. It is not supported in earlier
Windows. This command specifies a text that should be shown as the first option in the Windows Autoplay
dialog, together with the icon specified by the ICON. This option is always selected by default and if the
user accepts the option, the application specified by the OPEN or SHELLEXECUTE entry in the media's
Autorun.inf file is launched.

Run Commands:

ciadv.msc - Indexing Service

certmgr.mcs - Certificate Manager
compmgmt.msc - Computer Management
devmgmt.msc - Device Manager
diskmgmt.mcsc - Disk Management
dfrg.mcs - Disk defrag
eventvwr.msc - Event Viewer
fsmgmt.msc - Shared Folders
gpedit.msc - Group Policies
lusrmgr.msc - Local Users and Groups
ntmsmgr.msc - Removable Storage
ntmsoprq.msc - Removable Storage
ntmspprq.msc - Removable Storage Operator Requests
perfmon.msc - Performance Monitor
rsop.msc - Resultant Set of Policies
secpol.msc - Local Security Settings
Services.mcs - Various Services
wmimgmt.msc - Windows Management Infrastructure

accwiz - Accessibility Wizard

control admintools - Administrative Tools
calc - Calculator
command - Opens Command Prompt
charmap - Character Map
clipbrd - Clipboard Viewer
control - Control Panel
control desktop - Display Properties
control color - Display Properties (w/ Apperance Tab Perselected)
control printers - Printers and Faxes
control schedtasks - Scheduled Tasks
comcnfg - SQL Client Configuration
chkdsk - Check Disk Utility
dialer - Phone Dialer
diskpart - Disk Partition Manager
ddeshare - DDE Shares
dxdiag - Direct X Troubleshooter
drwtsn32 - Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility
eudcedit - Private Character Editor
fonts - Fonsts Folder Control
folders - Folders Properties
fsquirt - Bluetooth Transfer Wizard
helpctr - Help and Support
hypertrm - Hyper Terminal
iexpress - Iexpress Wizard
icwconn1 - Internet Connection Wizard
iexplore - Internet Explorer
inetwiz - Internet Setup Wizard
mrt - Malicious Software Removal Tool
mstsc - Remote Desktop
msconfig - System Configuration Utility
magnify - Windows Magnifier
msmsgs - Windows Messenger
msinfo32 - System Information
migwiz - Files and Settings Transfer Tool
moviemk - Microsoft Movie Maker
mspaint - Microsoft Paint
mobsync - Microsoft Syncronization Tool
mailto: - Opens default email client
msimn - Outlook Express
notepad - Notepad
osk - On Screen Keyboard
pbrush - Paint
printers - Printers Folder control
packager - Object Packager
regedit - Registry Editor
rasphone - Remote Access Phonebook
sysedit - System Edit
syskey - Windows System Security Tool
sigverif - File Signature Verification Tool
taskmgr - Task Manager
tcptest - TCP Tester
tourstart - Windows XP Tour Wizard
telnet - Telnet Client
utilman - Utility Manager
verifier - Driver Verifier Utility
wab - Windows Address Book Import Utility
win.ini - Shows current version of windows
winchat - Microsoft Chat
wmplayer - Windows Media Player
wupdmgr - Windows Update Launches
winver - Windows Version (to show which version of win
dows)
write - Wordpad

Run Commands To Access The Control Panel:

access.cpl - Accessibility Controls
appwiz.cpl - Add/Remove Programs Control
desk.cpl - Display Properties Control
findfast.cpl - Find Fast Control
firewall.cpl - Windows Firewall
hdwwiz.cpl - Add Hardware Wizard
inetcpl.cpl - Internet Proerties Control
intl.cpl - Regional Settings
joy.cpl - Game Controllers
mmsys.cpl sounds - Sound Properties Control
main.cpl keyboard - Keyboard Properties Control
main.cpl - Mouse Properties Control
mmsys.cpl - Multimedia Properties Control
netcpl.cpl - Network Setup Wizard
ncpa.cpl - Network Connections
nusrmgr.cpl - User Account Management
odbccp32.cpl - ODBC Data Source Administrator
password.cpl - Password Properties Control
powercfg.cpl - Power Configuration
sysdm.cpl - System Properties Control
sitcpl.cpl - Scanners and Cameras
timedate.cpl - Date/Time Properties Control
telephone.cpl - Phone and Modem Options
wuaucpl.cpl - Atomatic Updates
wscui.cpl - Security Center

Dos Command Prompt:

ANSL.SYS Defines functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reas-
sign keys.
APPEND Causes MS-DOS to look in other directories when editing a file or running a com-
mand.
APR Displays, adds, and removes arp information form network devices.
ASSIGN Assign a drive letter to an alternate letter.
ASSOC View the file asociations.
AT Schedule a time to execute commands or programs.
ATMADM Lists connections and addresses seen by Windows ATM call manager.
ATTRIB Display and change file attributes.
BATCH Recovery console command that executes a series fo command in a file.
BOOTCFG Enable/ Disable CTRL + C Feature.
CACLS View and modify file ACL\'s.
CALL CAlls a batch file from another batch file.
CD Changes Directories.
CHCP Supplement the International keyboard and character set information.
CHDIR Changes directories.
CHKDSK Check the hard disk drive running FAT for errors.
CHKNTFS Check the hard disk drive runnint NTFS for errors.
CHOCE Specify a listing of multiple options within a batch file.
CLS Clears the Screen.
CMD Opens the command interpreter.
COLOR Easily change the foreground and background color of the MS-DOS window.
COMP Compares files.
COMPACT Compresses and uncompress. files.
CONTROL Open control panel icons from the MS-DOS prompt.
CONVERT Convert FAT to NTFS.
COPY Copy one or more files to and alternate location.
CTTY Change the computers input/output devices.
DATE View or change the systems date.
DEBUG Re-arrange the hard disk drive to help with loading programs.
DEL Deletes one or more files.
DELETE REcovery console command that deletes a file.
DELTREE Deletes one or more files and/ or directories.
DIR List the contents fo one or more directory.
DISABLE Compare a disk with another disk.
DISKCOPY Command to view and execute commands that have been run in the past.
DOSSHELL A GUI to help with early MS-DOS users.
DRIVPARM Enables overwrite of original device drivers.
ECHO Displays messages and Enables and Disables Echo.
EDIT View and Edit Files.
EDLIN View and Edit Files.
EMM386 Load Extended Memory Manager.
ENABLE Recovery Console Command to enable a disable service or Driver.
ENDLOCAL Stop the localization of the environment changes enabled by the setlocl command.
ERASE Erase files from computer.
EXIT Exit from the command interpreter.
EXPAND Expand a M*cros*ft Windows File back to it\'s original format.
EXTRACT Extract files from the M*cros*ft Windows cabinets.
FASTHELP Displays a listing fo MS-DOS commands and information about them.
FC Compare files.
FDISK Utility used to create partitions on the hard disk drive.
FIND Search for text within a files.
FINDSTR Searches for a string of text within a files.
FIXBOOT Writes a new boot sector.
FIXMBR Writes a new boot recoard to disk drice.
FOR Boolean used in batch files.
FORMAT Command to earse and prepare a disk drice.
FTP Command to connect and operate on a FTP server.
FTYPE Displays or modifies file types used in file extension associations.
GOTo Moves a batch file to a specific label or location.
GRAFTABL Show extended characters in graphics mode.
HELP display a listing of commands and brief explanation.
IF Allows for batch files to perform conditional processing.
IF SHLP.SYS 32-bit file manager.
IPCONFIG Network command t view network adapter settings and assigned values.
KeYB Change loyout of keyboard.
LABEL Change the label of a disk drive.
LH Load a device driver in to high memory.
LISTSVC Recovery console command that displays the services and drivers.
LOADFIX Load a program above the first 64k.
LOADHIGH Load a device driver drive.
LOGON REcovery console command to list installations and enable administrator login.
MAP Displays the device name of a drive.
MD Command to create a new directory.
MEM Display memory on system.
MKDIR Command to create a new directory.
MODE Command to create a new directory.
MORE Display one page at a time.
MOVE Move one or more files from one directory to another directory.
MSAV Early M*cros*ft Virus scanner.
MSD Diagnostics utility.
MSCDEX Utility used to load and provide access to the CD-ROM.
NET Update, fix, or view the network or network settings
NETSH Configure dynamic and static network information from MS-DOS.
NETSTAT Display the TCP/IP network protocol statistics and information.
NLSFUNC Load country specific information.
NSLOOKUP LOok up an IP address of a domain or host on a network.
PATH View and modify the computers path location.
PATHPING View and locate locations fo network latency.
PAUSE Command used in batch files to stop the processing fo a comand.
PING Test/ send information to another network computer or network device.
POPD Changes to the directory or network path stroed by the pushd command.
POWER Conserve power with computer protables.
PRINT Prints data to a printer prot.
PROMPT View and change the MS-DOS prompt.
PUSHD Stores a directory or network path in memory so it can be returned to at any time.
QBASIC Open the QBasic.
RD REmoves an empty directory.
REN Renames a file or directory.
NENAME Renames a file or directory.
RMDIR Removes an empty directory.
ROUTE View and confiure windows netwok route tables.
RUNAS Enables a user to excute a program on anther computer.
SCANDISK Run the scandisk utility.
SCANREG SCan registry and recovery registry froom errors.
SCANREG Scan registry and revover registry from errors.
SET Change one variable or string to another.
SETLOCAL Enables local environments to be chaged without affecting anything elase.
SETVER Change MS-DOS version to trick older MD-DOS programs.
SHARE Installs support for file sharing and locking capabilities.
SHIFT Changes the position of replaceable parameters in a batch program.
SHUTDOWN Shutdown the computer from the MS-DOS prompt.
SMARTDRV Create a disk cache in conventional memory or extended memory.
SORT Sorts the input and displays the output to the scren.
START Start a separate window in windows from the MS-DOS prompt.
SUBST Substitute a folder on your computer for another drive letter.
SWITCHES Remove add functions form MD-DOS.
SYS Transfer system files to disk drive.
TELNET Telnet to another computer/device from the prompt.
TIME View or modify the system time.
TITLE Change the title fo their MS-DOS window.
TRACERT Visually view a network packets route across a network.
TREE View a visual tree fo the hard disk drive.
TYPE Display the contents of a file.
UNDELETE Undelete a file that has been deleted.
UNFORMAT Unformat a hard sisk drive.
UNLOCK Unlock a disk drive
VER Display the version information.
VERIFY Enables or disables the feature to determine if files have been written properly.