How to Turn On or Off AutoPlay 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.
- You will only see an AutoPlay notification when you have AutoPlay turned on and connect a device, media, or content that you chose Choose a default (default) or Ask me every time as its AutoPlay default.
- You can turn off AutoPlay for specific media or devices by choosing Take no action as its AutoPlay default.
- If you connect a storage device to your PC (for example, a USB flash drive or other external drive), that device won't appear under Devices in AutoPlay. AutoPlay will only show non-storage devices, such as some digital cameras, video cameras, and phones. You can view storage devices in the This PC window in File Explorer.
- You can press and hold the Shift key when you insert devices or media into your PC to open an AutoPlay notification, regardless of the default setting.
This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off using AutoPlay for all media and devices in your account in Windows 10.
Contents
- Option One: To Turn On or Off AutoPlay in Settings
- Option Two: To Turn On or Off AutoPlay in Control Panel
- Option Three: To Turn On or Off AutoPlay using a REG file
EXAMPLE: AutoPlay notification for "Ask me every time"
1 Open the Settings app, and click/tap on the Devices icon.
2 Do step 3 (on) or step 4 (off) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on AutoPlay on the left side, and turn on Use AutoPlay for all media and devices under AutoPlay on the right side. (see screenshot below)
B) Under Choose AutoPlay defaults on the right side, select the default action per listed media and device you want AutoPlay to perform when they are first connected, and go to step 5 below.
A) Click/tap on AutoPlay on the left side, turn off Use AutoPlay for all media and devices under AutoPlay on the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
5 When finished, you can close Settings if you like.
1 Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the AutoPlay icon.
2 Do step 3 (on) or step 4 (off) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Check the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices box. (see screenshot below)
B) Select the default action per listed media and device you want AutoPlay to perform when they are first connected, and go to step 5 below.
You can click/tap on the Reset all defaults button at the bottom left corner to be able to quickly set Choose a default as the AutoPlay default for all media and devices.
A) Uncheck the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices box, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
5 When finished, click/tap on Save.
6 You can now close the Control Panel if you like.
The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers
DisableAutoplay DWORD
0 = On
1 = Off
1 Do step 2 (on) or step 3 (off) below for what you would like to do.
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_On_AutoPlay.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Turn_Off_AutoPlay.reg
Download
4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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