Make an Autorun CD

Autorun is a feature within Microsoft Windows that detects when a CD is inserted into the CD-ROM and runs the applications on the disc automatically. It is a convenient way to create an installation CD for anything from video games to integral system programming.

Steps

1. Open Windows Notepad. To begin making an autorun CD, click open the start menu followed by a folder named "Accessories." Open Windows Notepad, which will be located within that folder. Alternatively, you can also type "Notepad" into the search or run bars on your Start menu in order to launch it directly.
2. Create an Autorun.inf file, which is a text file that Windows automatically looks for when a CD-Rom is placed into your system. Type the following into Notepad:
   
   [autorun]
   
   open=Filename.exe
   
   icon=Filename.ico
3. Replace both 'filenames' with the actual name of the program's .exe and .ico that you are trying to burn to the autorun CD. After finishing that, save the file. However, instead of saving it as a .txt file, choose "All Files" from the "Save As" drop down menu. Name the file Autorun.inf and save it to your desktop. If the program you are trying to make an autorun CD out of doesn't have an .exe file, it may have a .msi file instead. If this is the case, replace the open=Filename.exe with open=Filename.msi.
4. Burn the Autorun CD. Start your CD burning program and follow the instructions for burning the type of disc you are trying to make. Now that you have the Autorun.inf saved to your desktop, find it and add it to your CD. Place it in the main directory of the CD itself, as this is where Windows will look for the file.
   • Check the burning software's options thoroughly. Some types of CD burning software have an option to make the disc autorun capable or bootable automatically. If you are using this tutorial in order to make an installable copy of a computer operating system, you need to find the option to make your CD bootable, as just making it an Autorun CD will not fulfill that on its own.
5. Place the CD in your disc tray. Make sure to test your newly made Autorun CD before you delete any of the program materials. The CD will launch automatically if the steps were followed correctly and the burning process completed without errors.

Tips

• If the finished Autorun CD doesn't launch automatically, go to the My Computer section and double click your CD ROM drive. If the disc still doesn't launch, review the steps to insure that they were done correctly. It is likely there was an error either in the disc burning process or a typo in the .inf file.
• If you are still having problems, there are programs available that create an Autorun.inf and disc for you. However, many of these are spyware or malware programs attempting to make you spend more money or gather information about you. If you decide to use an automated Autorun CD creator and burner, research the program you plan on downloading thoroughly before selecting a program.

Things You'll Need

• Windows Notepad
• Blank CD/DVD
• CD/DVD burner and CD/DVD burning program

Related Articles

• Configure CD and DVD Autoplay in Windows XP
• Copy a Copyprotected CD
• Make an Audio CD With Windows 7
• Make a Professional Quality CD

Sources and Citations

• http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818804
• http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000670.htm

See also

• Make a Professional Quality CD
• Put Photos on a CD That Will Play on a DVD Player
• Print DVD Labels
• Make a CD Sleeve from Paper
• Fix a Scratched DVD
• Create an ISO File
• Fix a Scratched CD
• Transfer VHS Tapes to DVD or Other Digital Formats
• Spot Fake DVDs
• Burn a DVD

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