Earlier, I posted a HowTo on using Autorun TrueCrypt from a USB drive. I recently upgraded to version 5.1a. Here is how to accomplish the same thing, using the built in “Travler Disk Setup” in TrueCrypt.
I suggest you read the 7 Applications I carry on my TrueCrypt USB drive, to help you decide what goes into your encrypted volume and what stays out.
The current version of TrueCrypt is 5.1a. There are many bug fixes! Make sure you are using the most current code. Get a fresh copy here.
Follow the instructions and install TrueCrypt to your system. We are then going to create the volume and finally, use the Traveler Disk Setup to install TrueCrypt to the USB and have it create the AUTORUN.INF.
Run TrueCrypt and from the menu pick File -> Create New Volume. Select Create a file container, next, Create a Standard Volume, next and use the select file button to select your USB drive, make a folder called TrueCrypt, select it, then type in a filename of your choice (hint: TrueCrypt.tc), next, select your encryption algorithm (hint: take the defaults), next, select the size. You can use almost the entire USB drive. You will need about 1.5 meg for the TrueCrypt programs. On a 2 gig USB drive, I left 500meg for anti-virus, anti-spyware and repair programs, so I can check out a machine before I open my encrypted volume.
When TrueCrypt is done creating the volume, go back and complete the Traveler Disk Setup. From the TrueCrypt menu, pick Tools -> Traveler Disk Setup. Use the first Browse button to navigate to the root directory of your USB drive. Uncheck the “Include TrueCrypt Volume Creation Wizard”, Click the Auto-mount TrueCrypt volume, use the lower Browse button to navigate to your file (TrueCrypt\TrueCrypt.tc). I suggest checking the “Open Explorer window for mounted volume”. Click “Create”. TrueCrypt should pop up a windows telling you that it was successful. Then click Close. You will have to eject the USB drive then reinsert to test it.
For more information on Traveler Mode, see the TrueCrypt documentation.
Microsoft Developer network (MSDN) has an article, which covers all the options in a AUTORUN.INF file and DailyCupofTech an article AUTORUN.INF Tweaking.
A number of people (including me) have had trouble with Autorun NOT working. First, make sure you have the latest patches and drivers.
Then, go into the registry with REGEDIT (Start->Run->RegEdit)
Look at this information:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CDRom
If this is 0 (Zero) set it to 1 (One)
Then check (Windows 95 through XP, not Vista)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
If this is 95 (0×5F hex) set it to 91 (0×5B hex)
For details on the above information, check out document, KB 330135. It details things to try when AUTORUN or AUTOPLAY do not work and document, KB 136214 which details the second registry edit.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330135
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/136214
Microsoft has more hits than I can catalog when searching for AUTOPLAY at search.msdn.microsoft.com
http://search.msdn.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?query=autoplay&brand=msdn&locale=en-us&refinement=
I did have a machine that never ran my AUTORUN file. I eventually made it into a print server…
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on Jul 20th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Thanks a lot for the tutorial.
on Jul 31st, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Hey this is really cool, but I am having a problem with the autorun in that it won’t. My PC settings for autorun etc are all OK. any ideas?
on Aug 1st, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Microsoft has more hits than I can catalog when going to search.msdn.microsoft.com
http://search.msdn.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?query=autoplay&brand=msdn&locale=en-us&refinement=
This document, KB 330135, does detail some things to try when AUTORUN or AUTOPLAY do not work.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330135
I did have a machine that never ran my AUTORUN file. I eventually made it into a print server…
on Sep 23rd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Time to work on a writeup for TrueCrypt 6.0!
on Sep 24th, 2008 at 7:26 am
I thought about it Charles, but the 5.1 to 6.0 changes to TrueCrypt primarily internal, so my notes above should still apply.
on Oct 2nd, 2008 at 7:38 am
The AUTORUN.INF runs on the non-encrypted side of my USB drive but not the mounted encrypted volume. Does the mount TrueCrypt Volume support AUTORUN.INF function?
on Oct 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 am
Everrett:
I have had a few machines “AUTORUN” from inside the encrypted volume, but not been able to duplicate the success. I believe that it is a feature of the OS and not TrueCrypt. Try taking a look at the links I have in my Aug 1, 2008 comment. Maybe one of those will help.
Perhaps if you set the TrueCrypt volume to mount as a removable drive, then tweak the OS to AUTORUN/AUTOPLAY removable drives.
I’d love to know how it works for you
-Eric
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Thank You , Thank You , Thank You
I was very sad because i bought a 32GB USB and there was no password protect program on it . I did a little search and found your “How To” guide and it works . I used the USB on XP Professional SP2 , Vista Ultimate and Windows 7 Ultimate (i have them all 3 installed with MultiBoot) and AUTORUN works 100% without no problems . It’s easy to make it and fast . Thanks again and Good Luck !
on Feb 27th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Thank you for this superior work!
on Feb 28th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
JustMe & Charles: Thanks for the comments. Glad to help.
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Hi Eric,
this is great, many thaks. Do you know if there is a way to mount the encrypted drive on a computer (say at work) where one does not have administrator priviledges?
Thanks in advance for your answer/views.
miguel
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 10:08 am
From the TrueCrypt .org website, it appears that you need Administrator privelages to run TrueCrypt.
I have however seen a Linux distro what will run from a USB drive, inside Windows. Once that was booted, you should be able to open the TrueCrypt volume in Linux.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/portable-qemu-persistent-pendrivelinux/
on Oct 25th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Ничего не получилось…
Сделал все как написано, но почему то просто открывается окно как обычно… и ничего более… =(
on Nov 6th, 2009 at 6:23 am
When i fill in the “truecrypt traveler disk setup” the system says that it has no access to the file cause it is in use!
Anyone knows what i’m doing wrong?
Gr.
on Nov 6th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Find it, TC was running from the USB device instead of my pc..
on Nov 6th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Find=found…