REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf]
@=”@SYS:DoesNotExist”
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
“NoDriveTypeAutoRun”=dword:000000FF

Download disable.reg here: http://uploading.com/files/VXNCGZ34/disable.reg.html

A friend asked me to remove the U3 software from three Cruzer Micro 1.0 disks. He said he wanted to use the disk on any

computer and as a standard USB disk to store and play music.

The first Cruzer Micro USB uninstalled perfectly leaving me with a regular thumb drive with no U3 software. I used the U3

removal tool that I downloaded from the Internet.

The other two did not. I kept getting a message that the software would only work the first time or something similar. I

would click on the executable file on the Cruzer but it did nothing.

I tried something counterintuitive. I downloaded the upgrade software for the Cruzer USB, re-installed the U3 Launchpad

software. After installation, I could click on the red square U3 icon on my desktop and I could see the options on the left

screen. I selected uninstall. The U3 Launchpad asked if I wanted to save the data or format the data and it would be lost.

I chose to save the data but uninstall U3. It worked without a hitch. His data was saved and the software, U3 Launchpad that

drove him crazy was gone.

I found that the U3 Sandisk Cruzer removal tool works only if the software on the Cruzer USB is still installed. I had three

Cruzer USBs with U3 technology on them.

The tool can be found on http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/09/11/disable-remove-and-uninstall-u3-launchpad/

Nowadays, USB storage is very popular and cheap. No doubt USB thumb drive give us many convenience, but it can also be used by data thieves to leak sensitive information. Worst case is others might
spread virus into your computer without your knowledge…

“once you uninstall and remove the U3 Launchpad from the USB U3 smart drives storage device, it’s not possible to download the U3 Launchpad to install the U3 Launchpad into the ‘used-to-be-U3-smart-drives’ USB flash drive again.”

I made the mistake of buying one of these. I’m an IT professional, but I wasn’t aware of this U3 nonsense. I just needed a device to move files, not some monolithic app that interrupts me every time I plug the USB stick in. If you’re reading this you’re probably like me…

Unfortunately this solution is not good for me since I use it quite promiscuously …but as a simpler/elegant solution to the above:

Disable the virtual CD in your device manager by:

1) Plug in the U3 drive
2) Start->Run compmgmt.msc
3) Go to device manager under CD/DVD Drives
4) Right click on Verbatim/Memorex CD ROM and select disable.
5) Unplug U3 drive, and test again!

This is will prevent plug and play from re-detecting the virtual CD drive that boots U3. This leaves you with just a regular old stick, provided its not your first time on the computer.

U3 is like a solution looking for a problem. Why on earth is this software not simply installed by choice on first run? Not everyone needs help maintaining a portable profile.

Wish they would hurry and make an update for this drive.. I know Kingston has one, as well as Verbatim, that updates the drivers to work with Vista, but sadly, memorex does not!!!