Why won't Win10 actually auto play disks?

I don't mean "why isn't autoplay activated" because it is activated.

Nor do I mean "why doesn't autoplay pop a box asking me what to do" because that is not what I want.

What I want is the same old functionality that has been in Windows since at least Win95 but missing from the last 2 iterations ... I want to put a cd into the cd drive and have Windows automatically play the darn thing without asking me or popping up a box.

For example, I would like to install a game from cd ... there is an 'autorun.inf' file, and 'autorun.exe' file, and 'setup.exe' which the autorun executable points to, all on that disk. In Ye Olden Tymes, you put the game install disk into the drive, Windows sees the autorun files and simply runs that dang setup program. I shouldn't have to click anything until and unless the actual setup file itself prompts me after being started by Windows.

Is there any way to actually get Windows 10 do do that?

dalchina said:

Hi, wonder if you've looked at Control Panel, Autoplay? If you configure this together with the limited options in Settings, you might get close to what you want.

Thanks for trying to help, but that didn't really help.

The AutoPlay configuration panel doesn't even have a selection specifically for the built-in optical disk drive, so I have to assume the cd/dvd drive is lumped under the rubrik of "removable drive" (the other choices being "memory card" of which I have none installed, and a USB attached device).

So, for removable drives the *only* options are 'take no action' 'open folder' 'ask me every time' and a couple other equally worthless options. There is no RUN or PLAY option visible in the AutoPlay configuration panel:



It just annoys me to no end that they call this service "AutoPlay" when in fact does not play or run anything at all. So far, not one software disk I've used has automatically run when inserted into the disk drive, so it's not like it's just one game that the OS won't run properly ... it simply is not even attempting to run the autorun executables found on each and every installation disk I have.

I want all software installation disks to automatically launch into setup when inserted into the drive, and I also want music cd's to automatically begin playing in my default music player when inserted.

The AutoPlay configuration panel does not have any settings for that. Any other ideas?

Edit to add:

I looked closer at your screen shot ... based on the round windows button seen in the lower left, you don't seem to be running standard Win10. The choices in your configuration panel are completely different from the choices in mine. Do you have one of those interface mods installed (i.e., stardock or something like that)?

dalchina said:

Hi, scroll down a bit. Do you see CD as I do? Various types of CD?

That's in the Control Panel (not Settings).

Doh!

Thank you, by the way, for pointing out Control Panel versus Settings ... just one more idiot move on Microsoft's part to make things absurdly difficult. And now I have successfully found the settings page just like your screen shot shows, and the settings for the cd drive. You have saved my day .

I honestly cannot even begin to imagine what the point of the "Settings" panel is when it appears to be a very dumbed-down subset of system controls found in the "Control Panel". I googled the problem several times before posting here, rephrasing each time in case I was stating something stupid, and the top results always pointed to the 'AutoPlay' settings, some explicitly pointed to the Settings panel, and absolutely NONE mentioned the Control Panel. Even on Microsoft's website (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...s-10#v1h=tab01 ) they do NOT actually say either Settings or Control Panel, but the screenshot is the Settings AutoPlay panel, not the Control Panel version.

Some day, maybe someone at Microsoft will pull their heads out and link ALL configuration items, tasks, and subsystems into one single collection (view, folder) so that users don't have to memorize a billion different locations, paths, or labels in order to find the tools they need.

grumpyoldmen said:

I don't mean "why isn't autoplay activated" because it is activated.

Nor do I mean "why doesn't autoplay pop a box asking me what to do" because that is not what I want.

What I want is the same old functionality that has been in Windows since at least Win95 but missing from the last 2 iterations ... I want to put a cd into the cd drive and have Windows automatically play the darn thing without asking me or popping up a box.

I bought a new desktop two days ago. Put a CD in — nothing happens. Tried everything. Not even a box appears to ask me how I'm doing... Nothing. I have a thirty-year experience of computers. Why are they making everything to be crap deliberately these days? What sort of people are working in these (software) companies today?!

Go to a help forum — be it Google/YouTube or Microsoft. This is how it goes...

Me: Why isn't CD-autoplay working?
"Expert": Is your autoplay-setting set on ON?
Me: Yes, my problem — as I just very clearly, sufficiently and articulately elaborated — is that CD-autoplay is not working.

Frustrating.

grumpyoldmen said:

Thanks for trying to help, but that didn't really help.
It just annoys me to no end that they call this service "AutoPlay" when in fact does not play or run anything at all. So far, not one software disk I've used has automatically run when inserted into the disk drive, so it's not like it's just one game that the OS won't run properly ... it simply is not even attempting to run the autorun executables found on each and every installation disk I have.

One World and the New Order is coming, people. We cannot decide for ANYTHING in a really short time. Maybe people who just watch TV-shows, porn and play some online poker on their PCs won't mind, but they are the people who don't care about their individual rights, information safety or personal usability experience too much to begin with. It's going to be a gloomy, gloomy future.