How To Get Rid Of Autorun.inf.exe Virus

What is Autorun.inf.Exe?

The Autorun.inf.exe file contains instructions that tell the Windows operating system about the processes or applications that need to start automatically when you insert a CD or attach any other external device, such as a USB drive to the computer.

When you insert an external device, such as CD, the operating system checks if the Autorun.inf file is located in the root folder of the CD or not. If found, Windows follows the instructions contained in the Autorun.inf file to run a program.

This file also defines the icon that represents your external device, in My Computer or Windows Explorer.

Issues with Autorun.inf.exe

The file is used and exploited by viruses and worms to automatically start their processes when you attach an infected external device to your computer.

If you find the autrun.inf file in any of the following locations, your computer is likely to be infected with malware:

  • A:\autorun.inf
  • B:\autorun.inf
  • C:\autorun.inf
  • C:\autorun.inf
  • C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\My Documents\autorun.inf
  • C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\My Documents\My Music\autorun.inf
  • C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\My Documents\My Pictures\autorun.inf
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\Autorun.inf
  • D:\autorun.inf
  • E:\autorun.inf
  • E:\AutoRun.inf
  • F:\autorun.inf
  • G:\autorun.inf
  • H:\autorun.inf
  • I:\autorun.inf
  • J:\autorun.inf
  • K:\autorun.inf
  • L:\autorun.inf
  • M:\autorun.inf
  • N:\autorun.inf
  • O:\autorun.inf
  • P:\autorun.inf
  • Q:\autorun.inf
  • R:\autorun.inf
  • S:\autorun.inf
  • T:\autorun.inf
  • U:\autorun.inf
  • V:\autorun.inf
  • W:\AUTORUN.INF
  • X:\autorun.inf
  • Y:\autorun.inf
  • Z:\autorun.inf

Listed below are the names of known malware which abuse the autorun.inf.exe file to spread themselves on an unprotected computer:

  • Zlob.DNS Changer
  • Baidu (BDSearch)
  • Aurun

Steps to remove the Autorun.inf virus from your computer and external device:

Note: To ensure complete removal of the Autorun.inf virus you need to remove the virus both from your computer and the external device that is infected. 

Method 1: Delete the Autorun.inf File from Command Prompt

  1. Click Start and then select Run.
  2. In the Open box, type the cmd command and press Enter.
  3. In the Command Prompt window that opens, type the following command and press Enter.

    del /a:rhs [driveletter]:autorun.inf

    Note: [driveletter] refers to the drive of the attached device.

  4. Remove the external device.
  5. Finally, restart your computer.

Method 2: Change the Attributes of Autorun.inf File And Delete It

Note: Before proceeding, close all open Windows Explorer window.

  1. Attach the infected external device to your PC.
  2. Start Command Prompt.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one         

    F:
    F:attrib -s -r -h *.*

  4. Next, type the following in the Command Prompt to delete malicious exe files

    F:del autorun.inf

  5. Remove your external device

To prevent future virus infections via any external device, we recommend you scan your external devices, with a reliable antivirus tool, such as STOPzilla Antivirus before opening them.