In this post, you will learn how to enable or disable AutoPlay in Windows 10. AutoPlay is a feature that automatically runs a program or opens a file on a removable drive and, based on content such as pictures, music, or video files, launches an appropriate application to play or display the content. Autoplay begins reading from a drive as soon as you insert media in the drive. As a result, the setup file of programs and the music on audio media start immediately.
Enable or Disable AutoPlay Using Windows Settings
- In Windows 10, Open the Start menu. Click Settings > Devices.

- Click AutoPlay, toggle switch to turn On or Off the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.

- Under Choose AutoPlay Defaults, you can set the default action for AutoPlay.
Use the Removable drive drop-down menu, Select the new default action when connecting a Removable (USB) drive –
Take no action.
Open folder to view files (File Explorer).
Ask me every time.
Configure storage settings (Settings).
Use the Memory card drop-down menu, select the new default action when connecting a memory card –
Import photos and videos (OneDrive).
Import photos and videos (Photos).
Pay (Windows Media Player).
Take no action.
Open folder to view files (File Explorer).
Ask me every time.

- After you complete the steps, based on configuration system will automatically take action for each media type.
Enable or Disable AutoPlay Using Registry
Important – You must be logged in as an Administrator on the computer. We recommend you create a backup before editing the registry.
Enable AutoPlay Using Registry
- Open Notepad, Copy and paste the registry value below into the text editor.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers]
"DisableAutoplay"=dword:00000000
- In the File menu, select Save As and click Browse to your preferred folder or location. In the File name box, provide the appropriate name “FileName.reg” with .reg extension and Choose Save as type “All” from the drop-down list. Click Save.
- The registry file will appear on your saved location. Double click or Right-click and select the Merge option on the saved .reg file content to merge into the local registry to start the execution.
- A warning box with the following messages prompted, Click Yes to continue.

- Once Information in the path of the .reg file has been successfully entered into the registry below prompt will appear. Click OK.

- Once you complete the steps, you need to sign out and sign in to your user account. This will turn on the AutoPlay option.
Disable AutoPlay Using Registry
- Open Notepad, Copy and paste the registry value below into the text editor.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers]
"DisableAutoplay"=dword:00000001
- In the File menu, select Save As and click Browse to your preferred folder or location. In the File name box, provide the appropriate name “FileName.reg” with .reg extension and Choose Save as type “All” from the drop-down list. Click Save.
- The registry file will appear on your saved location. Double click or Right-click and select the Merge option on the saved .reg file content to merge into the local registry to start the execution.
- A warning box with the following messages prompted, Click Yes to continue.

- Once Information in the path of the .reg file has been successfully entered into the registry below prompt will appear. Click OK.

- Once you complete the steps, you need to sign out and sign in to your user account. This will turn off the AutoPlay option.
- Test your changes on the local computer. If the changes work as expected, you can distribute the Registry file (.reg) you created to other computers.
Resources
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