Disabling automatic startup of CDs

By Andy Walker

Question: I have some CDs with clip art and pictures, and when I try to access them through another application, such as MS Word, the CD will automatically start its built-in review program as soon as I put it in the drive. Is there any way to set up the computer so that when I put a CD in the drive so the startup program does not run? - S.C.

Answer: There is an easy way to get around your problem, if you don’t mind doing it each time you put in a CD. Simply hold the SHIFT key down when you load the CD into the drive.

For a more permanent solution, visit Microsoft’s Knowledge Base, and search for ways to disable both the automatic running of CDs and the automatic playing of audio CDs.