How can I stop Windows Server 2003 from automatically mounting new volumes?

A. By default, Windows 2003 automatically mounts and assigns a drive letter to any new volume introduced to the OS. (If the new volume is a dynamic volume, the OS attempts to assign the current drive letter unless that letter is already in use.) You can prevent Windows 2003 from automatically mounting new volumes using either of two methods.

The first method is to use the Mountvol command with the /n switch; go to the command prompt and type

mountvol /n

The second method is to use the Diskpart command with the automount disable option; go to the command prompt and type

diskpart

When the utility starts, you'll see the DISKPART> command prompt. At the prompt, type

automount disable

Your computer will display the message "Automatic mounting of new volumes disabled." To exit the utility, type

exit