How do I automatically copy data when attaching external storage?

Question

If I am correct to assume that once I place a DVD/disk in my optical drive (or use a USB flash drive or external HDD for that matter; for arguments sake) that this action would in effect trigger an 'event' in Windows.

I would like to use this 'triggered event' to enable an entire copy of that device.

Example:

if my optical H: reads a disk OR the user closes the tray OR ...
then xcopy /S H: "F:\Copy of H"

ADDED: I am working with Windows XP; if any one could give me more of a push in the right dirrection that would help; I don't see how the autorun could help me; do I need to write some script for the autorun to use once this event is triggered? Or a program? Not sure what to do, thank you!

Answer 1

You can use VBScript (and other languages that use COM objects) with the FileSystemObject and its Drives property.

You would check the Drives object regularly for new drives (with a for statement) and then do something for each drive matching the criteria.

Then you can use the program execution functions from Windows Script Host to run a batch file to copy the files; or you can copy the files in the same drive detection script.

Here is a very useful help CHM for Microsoft's vbscript and jscript.

Answer 2

Best i can find is autorun.

i know autorun is disabled by default on writable (i.e. USB, but not CD/DVD) media; but i also know that somewhere in the machine security policy (secpol.msc) is the option to reenable it.

Windows 7 completely removed the ability to have AutoPlay on writable media. You're not even allowed to have an option appear on the dialog.

That's because millions of users would see the following dialog, and think clicking Open folder to view files is harmless:

That's because they're running Open folder to view files.exe.