CD-ROM May Not Run Automatically in Windows XP (314855)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional

This article was previously published under Q314855
For a Microsoft Windows 2000 version of this article, see 173584.

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM or the DVD-ROM drive, the CD-ROM may not automatically run.

CAUSE

The Autorun.inf file and the programs that the Autorun.inf file is designed to run may not run if you are logged on to Windows XP as a user without either Power User or Administrator rights.

By default, only users who are logged on to Windows XP with Power User or Administrator rights are allowed to install software. In Windows XP, files that have an .inf extension are considered to be setup information files. As a result, the Autorun.inf file does not run if you do not have Power User or Administrator rights.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, log on to Windows XP as either a Power User or an Administrator.

MORE INFORMATION

When a CD-ROM is detected, Windows XP is notified that a new volume is available and the drive is checked for an Autorun.inf file. A user who is neither a Power User nor an Administrator is prompted with an "Install Program as other user" message when the CD-ROM autorun is processed.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:11/4/2003
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbSecurity kbsetup KB314855