What is the point?

Thanks for that clarification Tesla. As my M17x is dead I'm currently using my old Inspiron 1720 which runs Vista.

I was not aware that autorun posed any threats. Indeed, I have a USB pen drive with Xplorer2 portable and Roboform Pass2Go portable set to automatically launch when the drive is inserted. This update would put an end to that functionality however, both can still be launched manually. Just seems like a step backwards to me.

It says what it is for on that link.

It's my understanding that they are just upgrading the older OSes to the more secure functionality of Windows-7. I'm all for it. It will still "pop-up" with a prompt, it just won't install anything without your permission.

http://www.thesecurityblog.com/2011/02/restrict-usb-autorun-update-for-windows-kb971029/

You must be on an older machine running XP or Vista.

Just wait until you come across a virus that likes to write itself the flash drives (getting pretty common these days) and then you will be glad you did it.

Here is a good explaination.

http://autorun.synthasite.com/index.php

Thanks Tesla, that's a great explanation with several options for protecting oneself.
Naturally, I have put a couple of those into action. ;)