How to Backup and Restore AutoPlay Settings in Windows 10


AutoPlay lets you choose an action for different kinds of media when you plug in a device or insert media. You can set AutoPlay to open different kinds of content, such as photos, music, and video on different kinds of media, such as drives, CDs, DVDs, cameras, and phones. For example, you can use AutoPlay to select an app that will automatically open photos on a removable drive when you plug it into your PC. With AutoPlay, you don't have to open the same app or reselect preferences every time you plug in a certain device.

Once you have AutoPlay set how you want, you may want to backup your settings to be able to quickly restore your settings as needed to any account on any Windows 10 PC.

This tutorial will show you how to backup your AutoPlay settings and restore as needed to any account on any Windows 10 PC.


Contents




EXAMPLE: AutoPlay settings in Windows 10
Backup and Restore AutoPlay Settings in Windows 10-autoplay_in_control_panel-1.png Backup and Restore AutoPlay Settings in Windows 10-autoplay_in_control_panel-2.png Backup and Restore AutoPlay Settings in Windows 10-autoplay_in_settings.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Backup AutoPlay Settings using a BAT file


1 Sign in or switch user to the user account you want to backup its AutoPlay settings.

2 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the .bat file below.

Backup_AutoPlay_settings.bat

Download

(Contents of .bat file for reference.)
Code:
:: To create "AutoPlay Settings Backup" folder on your desktop.
mkdir "%userprofile%\Desktop\AutoPlay Settings Backup"


:: To export these two registry keys to .reg files into the "AutoPlay Settings Backup" folder on your desktop.
REG EXPORT HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlersDefaultSelection "%userprofile%\Desktop\AutoPlay Settings Backup\EventHandlersDefaultSelection.reg"

REG EXPORT HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\UserChosenExecuteHandlers "%userprofile%\Desktop\AutoPlay Settings Backup\UserChosenExecuteHandlers.reg"

3 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

4 Unblock the .bat file.

5 Run the .bat file.

6 A AutoPlay Settings Backup folder has now been created on your desktop that contains the EventHandlersDefaultSelection.reg and UserChosenExecuteHandlers.reg files as your AutoPlay settings backup. You can move this folder to where you want to keep it saved at.






OPTION TWO

To Restore AutoPlay Settings


1 Sign in or switch user to the user account you want to restore a backup of AutoPlay settings to.

2 Open the AutoPlay Settings Backup folder created from Option One. (see screenshot below)

Backup and Restore AutoPlay Settings in Windows 10-autoplay_settings_backup.jpg

3 Double click/tap on the EventHandlersDefaultSelection.reg file to merge it.

4 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

5 Double click/tap on the UserChosenExecuteHandlers.reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.


That's it,
Shawn


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