This post shows students and new users how to change or update Windows 11 AutoPlay settings to automatically display pop-ups and take certain actions when devices are inserted or attached to the computer.
By default, Windows 11 will display a pop-up and ask you to select what actions to take when you insert media or attach a new device. This works if you haven’t changed anything.
However, if something has changed and nothing happens when a new media disc or device is attached, you may have to reconfigure its AutoPlay settings to restore the default behavior.
To simplify things, you can customize the AutoPlay feature to automatically detect the kind of disc or media inserted and take actions based on the settings you defined, so you don’t always have to choose what to do when a disc is inserted.
You can also turn off the AutoPlay feature so that disc and flash drives are not automatically read or executed. This can help prevent malicious content found on drives from being executed.
In Windows 11, these settings have been recategorized into new groups and sections. We’ll show you how to access and configure the AutoPlay settings below.
To get started with changing or reconfiguring Windows 11 AutoPlay settings, follow the steps below:
How to update or reconfigure AutoPlay settings in Windows 11
Windows 11 has a centralized location for the majority of its settings. Everything can be done, from system configurations to creating new users and updating Windows from its System Settings pane.
To get to System Settings, you can use the Windows key + I shortcut or click on Start ==> Settings, as shown in the image below:
Alternatively, you can use the search box on the taskbar and search for Settings. Then select to open it.
Windows Settings pane should look similar to the image below. In Windows Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, and select AutoPlay on the right pane of your screen, shown in the image below.
On the AutoPlay settings pane, you can turn off AutoPlay settings by toggling the button under Use AutoPlay for all media and devices to the Off position.
When the AutoPlay feature is disabled, you must manually launch media content or external devices when inserted or connected to the computer.
You can choose to leave AutoPlay On and customize individual settings. Choose the type of media you want to modify and select the action you want AutoPlay to perform when you connect each type of media or device.
These are the settings you can choose:
Removable drive:
- Take no action
- Open the folder to view files (File Explorer)
- Ask me every time
- Configure storage settings (Settings)
Memory card:
- Import photos and videos (Photo)
- Play (Windows Media Player)
- Take no action
- Open the folder to view files (File Explorer)
- Ask me every time
You can select these actions whenever a particular media is inserted into the computer.
How to set AutoPlay settings in Control Panel
Windows Control Panel gives you granular control settings for different media formats. You can fine-tune settings for specific media.
Search Control Panel from the Start menu, then select Open it. In the Control Panel app, select Hardware and Sound group and go to AutoPlay.
You can select what should happen when you insert each media or device into your computer. You can configure an action for each media type by changing the default.
When you’re done, save your changes and exit.
That should do it!
Changing the Windows 11 AutoPlay setting is incredibly easy. Whether changing it for security reasons or simply trying to automate the opening of content from the inserted disc, you simply need to set it and forget it.
Conclusion:
This post showed you how to change Windows AutoPlay settings. If you find any error above, please use the form below to report.
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