Why Doesn’t Microsoft Allow USB Flash Drives to Autorun Programs?

Can USB Flash Drives Autorun From Windows? The short answer is NO. Microsoft disabled USB autorun functionality on standard USB flash drives primarily for security reasons, following several high-profile malware outbreaks that exploited this feature. Here’s why this change was necessary:

Autorun Was a Major Malware Vector

Before 2011, when a USB drive was inserted, Windows’ autorun feature could automatically execute files (like autorun.inf) stored on the drive. Malware creators exploited this by placing malicious executables on USB drives that would launch automatically when inserted into a computer. This made it easy for viruses and worms, such as the infamous Conficker worm, to spread rapidly between systems without user interaction.

USB Drives Are Easily Shared and Untrusted

Unlike CDs or DVDs, which are typically read-only and distributed from trusted sources, USB flash drives are read-write devices. They are frequently passed between multiple users and computers, making them a prime target for malware. Any infected computer could unknowingly weaponize a USB stick, allowing malicious code to spread instantly upon insertion.

Security Patch KB971029 Disabled Autorun

In 2011, Microsoft released security patch KB971029, which permanently disabled autorun for USB flash drives on Windows XP, Vista, and later versions to match Windows 7’s safer behavior. After this patch:

• USB sticks no longer autorun programs automatically.
• The system only shows a menu to “Open folder to view files” or “Play media.”
• Autorun for CDs and DVDs was not changed because these media types are generally considered safer and are typically read-only.

CD-ROM Emulation Still Allows Autorun

USB drives that emulate a CD-ROM device can still trigger autorun because Windows treats them like optical media. This is useful for software distribution, marketing content, or protected applications that need an autorun experience.

A professional solution for this is the Nexcopy Disc License USB drive. These drives feature a permanent, hardware-based CD-ROM partition that allows autorun to function exactly like a traditional CD, while maintaining a second partition for standard flash storage. Because the CD-ROM portion is read-only, it is safe from malware infections and trusted by the Windows autorun process.

So what does this all mean?

Microsoft removed autorun from standard USB flash drives to stop self-spreading malware and worms that thrived on this feature. If you need legitimate autorun capabilities for distributing software or presentations, using a Nexcopy Disc License USB drive is a secure and reliable solution.

Why Does Windows Allow Autorun from a USB CD-ROM Device?

Windows allows autorun from a USB CD-ROM device because the hardware identifies itself as an optical disc drive, and Windows is designed to trust read-only media. Here’s a detailed explanation of why this behavior exists and how it works:

1) Windows Trusts Optical Media by Default

The autorun feature was originally created for CDs and DVDs, which are read-only media. Because the content on a physical disc cannot be modified by malware, it was considered safe for Windows to execute instructions from the autorun.inf file automatically. This design choice made software installations seamless and secure for optical discs.

2) USB CD-ROM Devices Use a Different USB Descriptor

All USB devices report their device type to the operating system through a descriptor. A USB stick configured as a CD-ROM device reports itself as a Mass Storage Device ? Subclass: SCSI Transparent ? Protocol: CD-ROM (0x05). To Windows, this looks identical to plugging in a real optical disc drive.

Because Windows cannot tell the difference, it applies the same rules for autorun as it would for a physical CD or DVD drive. The firmware of the USB device essentially “masks” its true nature and convinces the OS it is optical media.

3) Autorun Works Because the Partition is Read-Only

Windows checks whether the device is read-only before permitting autorun. A properly configured USB CD-ROM emulation device has a hardware-protected, non-writable partition that mimics a pressed CD. This read-only characteristic assures Windows that the autorun.inf file has not been altered or infected by malware, making autorun safe to execute.

4) Using a Nexcopy Disc License USB Drive for Safe Autorun

A professional solution for creating a USB with autorun capabilities is the Nexcopy Disc License USB drive. These drives feature:

• A permanent, hardware-based CD-ROM partition that is read-only and recognized by Windows as an optical disc.
• A second, writable flash partition for storing additional files and content.
• Reliable autorun behavior identical to that of a physical CD or DVD, without malware risks.

Conclusion

Windows allows autorun from USB CD-ROM devices because their firmware tells Windows they are optical discs, and optical media is inherently safer due to its read-only nature. Standard USB flash drives are blocked because they are writable and could easily carry self-propagating malware. If legitimate autorun functionality is required, using a Nexcopy Disc License USB provides a secure and professional solution.

USB 3.0 is gaining momentum with every new product launch, and millions of PCs and peripherals are expected to ship with the SuperSpeed interface this year. That makes the timing of the Nexcopy SSUSB160PC USB duplicator especially relevant, offering users a high-speed solution to manage modern peripherals without relying on slower legacy USB 2.0 systems.

The SSUSB160PC is a 16-target duplicator designed to take full advantage of USB 3.0 technology, with theoretical transfer rates up to 5 Gbps. However, keep in mind that a USB 2.0 flash drive won’t automatically benefit from faster speeds just by being plugged into a USB 3.0 port—data transfer is always limited by the slowest link in the chain. That said, the SSUSB160PC excels when paired with modern USB 3.0 drives and hard disks, now common in professional environments.

Encased in a lightweight anodized aluminum housing, this duplicator is built for performance and portability. With an integrated 120-watt power supply, active cooling system, and support for data transfer at each device’s max speed, Nexcopy claims it can copy 32GB of data in as little as six minutes.

Who Needs a High-Speed USB Duplicator?

The SSUSB160PC is especially valuable for industries that demand rapid, secure content distribution—such as software publishers, government agencies, media production companies, and IT departments. When time-sensitive firmware, training materials, or confidential files need to be deployed across dozens of devices quickly and reliably, a professional-grade duplicator like this one becomes essential. Unlike cloud distribution, which requires stable internet access and setup on each machine, USB duplication delivers instant, offline access with full data integrity and copy protection options.

Released in the early 2010s, the SSUSB160PC quickly became one of the most trusted PC-connected USB duplicators for government agencies, publishers, and tech manufacturers. It ships with Nexcopy’s proprietary Drive Manager software and supports features like binary copy, write protection, data streaming, and USB CD-ROM emulation (in the Pro version). These capabilities, combined with its durable design, helped Nexcopy earn a leading position in the USB duplication market.

Source: UberGizmo

About Ubergizmo: Ubergizmo is a consumer technology news website founded in 2005 by Silicon Valley tech veterans Hubert Nguyen and Eliane Fiolet. Known for visually rich coverage and an accessible tone, the site gained recognition for product reviews, previews, and global tech event coverage, especially at trade shows like CES and MWC. Ubergizmo carved a niche by blending user-oriented design analysis with insightful reporting on innovation and usability.

Introducing the Nexcopy Standalone USB Duplicator

We’ve reported about Nexcopy several times before, ranging from their USB duplicators to SD and Compact Flash duplicators. Today, we’re here to highlight the Nexcopy standalone USB duplicator.

Nexcopy, Standalone USB Duplicator

With flash drives growing in both capacity and affordability, it’s no surprise that data loads are also increasing. A few years ago, it was common to load a PDF or PowerPoint presentation onto a promotional USB stick for trade shows. Today, with the ease of creating videos and the popularity of platforms like YouTube, promotional content has become much larger.

Between 2010 and the mid?2010s, average MP4 video file sizes grew by roughly 30%, as creators embraced higher resolutions. In the past three years alone, they’ve expanded another 20%, driven by increased use of 4K and 8K content—a cumulative >50% increase over 15 years. Source: MASV – How Big Will Video Files Get?

The Nexcopy standalone USB duplicator supports copy speeds up to 30MB per second—that’s about 1,800MB per minute. While most standard USB drives won’t hit those speeds, higher-end flash memory can certainly take advantage of it. Taking this a step further, if you have 16 USB sticks on the system and each port is receiving 1,800MB per minute, this means the entire unit is actually copying 28.8GBs per minute as an overall throughput.

Real-World Impact on Productivity

A large software company is preparing a nationwide training program for 1,000 new employees across 50 regional offices. Each employee must receive a USB flash drive preloaded with 4GB of onboarding videos, security protocols, and software installation packages.

Without a High-Speed Duplicator:
Using a standard PC and manual copy process, it takes 10 minutes to copy 4GB to one USB drive. Copying 1,000 drives would require 10,000 minutes (over 166 hours) of labor. This could take an entire week even with multiple staff involved.

With the Nexcopy Standalone USB Duplicator:
Each port delivers up to 30MB/sec, or 1.8GB per minute. With 16 drives copying in parallel, 28.8GB is transferred every minute. Copying 4GB per drive means each batch of 16 takes just about 2.5 minutes. To duplicate 1,000 drives:
1,000 ÷ 16 = 62.5 batches
62.5 batches × 2.5 minutes = 156.25 minutes (~2.6 hours total)

Productivity Gain:
From 166 hours down to just 2.6 hours. This results in reduced labor costs, faster turnaround, and the ability to reallocate staff to other tasks. It also gives the organization immediate scaling capability for future projects.

Summary:
The Nexcopy standalone duplicator’s 30MB/sec per port speed translates to 28.8GB/min total throughput, which enables massive productivity boosts for businesses distributing digital content at scale—especially for training kits, product launches, software deployments, and marketing promotions. This technology doesn’t just save time—it transforms how companies manage USB-based data distribution.

The Nexcopy standalone duplicator line includes two models: a 16-port system and a 32-port system. Each system dedicates one port for the master device. That’s likely why the models are named USB115SA and USB131SA—one master and 15 or 31 targets, respectively.

We couldn’t find specific pricing on the Nexcopy website since the products are only available through authorized dealers. The release date for these standalone duplicator models was the first week of September 2010.

To learn more about Nexcopy’s standalone USB duplicators, visit the official Nexcopy site.

Source: EverythingUSB.com

2025 Update: Nexcopy Enhances USB 3.0 Duplicator with Higher Capacity Drives and Advanced Drive Manager Software

Nexcopy, a leader in USB duplication technology, has been shipping its USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Duplicator for over 15 years. The 16-port USB 3.0 Duplicator remains one of the most reliable solutions for high-speed USB flash drive and hard drive duplication. With peak transfer speeds of 65MB/s per device and up to 72MB/s with multiple drives connected, the duplicator can efficiently handle demanding data loads. For USB 3.0 hard drives, transfer rates reach a consistent 95MB/s, regardless of whether a single device or eight devices are connected.

Since its initial release, Nexcopy has expanded its USB 3.0 flash drive lineup, now offering capacities up to 256GB with optional custom branding. These high-capacity drives are ideal for industries requiring large data sets, secure distribution, and reliable performance.

The USB 3.0 Duplicator is powered by Nexcopy’s proprietary Drive Manager software, which receives regular updates to enhance speed, improve user experience, and add new functionality. Drive Manager updates are always free and require no license fees. For professional applications, the PRO version of Drive Manager enables advanced features such as:

• USB write protection (hardware-based read-only mode)
• Configuring USB drives as USB CD-ROM devices
• Partitioning flash drives at the controller level
• Editing USB device serial numbers

Nexcopy continues to focus on providing enterprise-grade duplication solutions with ongoing software innovation and long-term product support.

Source: EverythingUSB.

Nexcopy recently introduced an upgraded line of microSD duplicators supporting media capacities from 16 to 60 port configurations—no adapters required. These systems are built from the ground up for high volume deployments and advanced flash memory control.

PC Based Solution: mSD160PC (16 Port)

The mSD160PC is a USB 3.0, PC connected duplicator featuring:

• 16 targets per run with maximum card write speed utilization
• Six copy modes: File Copy, Copy Add, Device Copy (short/full), IMG Copy, and Unique Data Streaming
• CID (Card ID) reading capability with CSV export—ideal for content encryption tied to unique serials

This PC based unit excels in custom data workflows and streaming content uniquely per card. Supported by Drive Manager software running on Windows 10+, it offers unlimited free software updates and support.

Standalone Duplicator: mSD115SA (15 Port)

The mSD115SA operates independently—no PC needed—and is ideal for on-the-go use at trade shows, field sites, or telecom recycling centers:

• 15-port standalone unit with synchronous or asynchronous copy modes
• High-speed binary copying (including bootable devices) at up to 1,800 MB/min
• Built-in functionalities: Copy, Verify, Compare, Erase (including D.o.D. Secure Erase), H2 integrity test, speed benchmarking, and auto-start capability
• Real-time LCD feedback, rugged design, and compatibility with FAT, NTFS, Ext2–4, proprietary formats

Documented in Nexcopy’s 2016 press release, this model offers both simplicity and durability for 24/7 industrial use.

High Volume Option: microSD131SA (31 Port Standalone)

The microSD131SA builds on the mSD115SA architecture to support 31 targets and is priced at approximately $3,399:

• No PC required—supports FAT, exFAT, NTFS, Linux formats, and proprietary systems
• Fast synchronous/asynchronous copying, CRC-32 verification, memory benchmarking, D.o.D. erase, and automatic job start
• Rugged hardware built for extended production with real-time performance feedback and compatibility with 110/230V power

This system is engineered for industrial-scale duplication where speed and accuracy matter most.

Why This Matters

Compared to earlier adapter-based copying systems popular in the 2010 era, all new Nexcopy microSD duplicators eliminate the need for micro-to-SD adapters—reducing labor, improving throughput (up to 30%), and enhancing reliability in telecom, recycling, and promotional content use cases.

“The microSD duplicator is ideal for telecom recycling centers who need to process and format microSD media left in cell phones … formatting, erasing, verifying and data loading is a very simple and straightforward process.”

To learn more or request a quote, please visit Nexcopy’s mSD160PC, mSD115SA, or microSD131SA product pages.

Source: Content compiled from Nexcopy’s product pages and official press releases.

Nexcopy unveiled an all new CF Duplicator System

Nexcopy Corporation unveiled its latest range of flash memory duplication systems, introducing the CF Duplicator 150PC, 300PC, and 450PC models. These PC-based solutions offer an ideal method for efficiently handling bulk data loading onto Compact Flash cards.

Nexcopy’s CF duplication systems boast unique features designed to streamline data loading tasks. For instance, users can easily assign unique files to each CF card using the Unique Data Copy function. Additionally, bootable Compact Flash cards can be copied effortlessly using the bit-for-bit Short Image copy function. This function ensures that only the data clusters used on the CF card are copied to the target devices, rather than the entire contents.

Moreover, Nexcopy offers a Full Image copy function for scenarios where it is required. This feature proves beneficial for Ext2 or Ext3 Linux formats, where files could potentially reside in any sector of the CF media.

Nexcopy Inc.’s CF Duplicator line begins with the CF150PC model priced at $1,200, with an upgrade path available to the 30-port and 45-port systems. Thus, the CF Duplicator boasts a modular design.

Nexcopy also highlights the flexibility to mix and match duplicator boxes. This enables users to copy to SD media, CF media, and USB sticks simultaneously through a single software interface, providing convenience and efficiency.

CF Duplicator Copy Modes

The Drive Manager software offers six copy modes to cater to various user needs. These modes include:

• File Copy
• File Copy Add
• Image File Copy (.img)
• Unique Data Streaming to each card
• Device Copy – short
• Device Copy – full

For more information, visit the product page: CF Duplicator by Nexcopy.
https://www.nexcopy.com/cf-duplicator/

CompactFlash (CF) cards serve various purposes, primarily for storing digital data in a myriad of devices requiring high-capacity and high-performance storage solutions. Although their popularity has somewhat diminished with the rise of other storage formats like SD cards and SSDs, CF cards find utility in diverse applications, including:

Digital Cameras: CF cards have long been the choice of professional photographers and enthusiasts, used in digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras and high-end digital cameras. Their ample storage capacities and rapid read/write speeds make them suitable for capturing high-resolution images and recording high-definition video.

Video Cameras and Camcorders: CF cards are commonplace in professional video cameras and camcorders, facilitating the recording of high-quality video footage. Their swift data transfer rates and reliability make them perfect for capturing high-definition video in demanding production environments.

Embedded Systems and Industrial Applications: CF cards find frequent use in embedded systems, industrial computers, and electronic devices necessitating robust and dependable storage solutions. Their resilience, generous storage capacities, and resistance to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures render them fitting for use in harsh operating conditions.

Data Storage and Transfer: CF cards are employed for general-purpose data storage and transfer across various devices, including computers, laptops, digital audio recorders, and handheld devices. They can store documents, music, videos, software, and other digital files.

Gaming Consoles and Arcade Machines: CF cards have been integrated into certain gaming consoles, arcade machines, and gaming peripherals for storing game data, firmware updates, and other content. While not as prevalent as SD cards or internal storage, CF cards have carved out niche applications in select gaming systems.

Medical Devices and Equipment: CF cards find utility in medical devices and equipment, such as medical imaging devices, patient monitoring systems, and diagnostic equipment. Their reliability, compatibility, and storage capacity render them suitable for storing medical data and images.

Data Recovery and Forensics: CF cards are occasionally employed in data recovery and forensic applications, where they may be used to salvage data from damaged or corrupted storage media, scrutinize digital evidence, or conduct forensic inquiries.

Source: GetUSB.info.

UPDATE: USB Scrub by Nexcopy now supports Win7, Win10 (32/64bit) and Windows 11

USB Registry Cleaner Tool which is FREE!

Did you know Windows can make over 260 registry entries with a single enumeration of a USB stick? This means for those with multiple flash drives, your registry will get extremely cluttered and bogged down.

With flash drives dirt cheap these days, you’ll find at least a couple dozen going into your computer throughout the year. That would be over 6,240 registry entries.

USB Scrub is a free utility from Nexcopy which performs a deep cleaning of those unused drivers and registry edits.

We gave USB Scrub a try, and it worked great. We went from enumerating a single USB stick in 45 seconds to enumerating that stick in less than 12 seconds.

In addition, if you have a USB stick that doesn’t perform correctly or the Windows OS doesn’t see it, chances are the USB Scrub will clear up those problems and your drive will work once again. This is because a registry entry can become corrupt, and simply clearing it out will resolve your issue.

So let’s take a closer look.

Using RegShot (a free application which takes a snapshot before and after an event and compares only the changed registry values), I took a snapshot before and after a USB stick was connected and ejected. The result was this:

• 78 Registry Keys created
• 183 Registry Values added
• 261 Registry edits in total!

Here is a snapshot. Click the image to get the full text file:

Next, I took a snapshot of the registry before a stick was connected, then ran USB Scrub, then took the second registry snapshot. This is what I got:

• 1 Registry Key added
• 3 Registry Values added

Clearly we have a big difference. Clearly we have a great cleaning tool for USB devices in Windows.

If you have a USB flash drive not working correctly, a slow computer, or you are a heavy user of removable drives, give USB Scrub a try. You’ll see a noticeable difference in USB enumeration.

As a closing note, when the enumeration speed went from 45 seconds to 12 seconds, USB Scrub reported that it cleared over 9,000 registry entries.

USB Scrub is a free utility. There is no malware or spyware.

Unfortunately, USB Scrub only supported Windows XP in the past. The maker, Nexcopy, has now updated support for Windows 7 and Windows 10. (Does not support Windows 8.)

UPDATE: Download link now supports Windows 7 and Windows 10 (32/64bit).

Download USB Scrub. Source: EverythingUSB.com.