How to Disable AutoPlay in Windows 10. Windows 98 was the first version of Windows to include the AutoPlay feature, which scans the contents of any plugged-in storage device or inserted media (such as a CDROM or USB) and prompts you to select the appropriate application to show the content (music, films, software, etc.).
How to Disable or Enable AutoPlay In Settings
The easiest way to enable or disable AutoPlay using Windows 10 Settings menu.
- Press Windows key + R and then, type “ms-settings:autoplay” in the open box and press enter to open the AutoPlay tab of the
- Devices section inside the Windows 10 Settings menu.
- In the AutoPlay option, enable or disable the toggle under Use AutoPlay for all media and devices to turn the feature on and off.
- If you want to enable AutoPlay, you can take advantage of this screen by changing the defaults of under Choose AutoPlay Defaults: Removable drive, Memory cards other devices that you might have plugged in.”
- No need to reboot your computer.
Disable or Enable AutoPlay in Windows 10 via Control Panel
- Select search bar, type “control” and then press Enter to open Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel, change the View by drop-down menu and then click on AutoPlay.
- In order to disable AutoPlay, uncheck the box associated with Use AutoPlay for all media, devices and then press the Save button.
- If you wish to enable AutoPlay for all devices and media, you can check the box associated with Use AutoPlay for all media and devices and select the Save Button.
Note: It’s important to remember that we can customize our default actions by device or media type using the available choices. If you need to return AutoPlay’s settings to their factory defaults, go here. Click the “Reset all defaults” option after scrolling down the page. There is no need to restart your PC.
Disable or Enable AutoPlay via Registry Editor
Note: Bear in mind that operating other changes via Registry Editor might affect the overall health of your PC. For the purpose of avoiding any unpleasantries, please make sure that you follow up step 2 where we backup the registry for the purpose of ensure a fail-safe method.
- Press Windows key + R and then, type “regedit“, press Enter, and then click on Yes.
- In the Registry Editor, select File and then Export. Then, select a name, location for the Registry backup and press the Save button.
- Using the left pane of Registry Editor, go to the following location.
- Double-click on DisableAutoplay.
- Type 0 in the Value data box to enable AutoPlay or type 1 to disable AutoPlay.
Disabling/Enabling AutoPlay via Local Group Policy Editor
This method is to be preferred if you are trying to enforce a rule that will apply to all users that are using the machine.
- Hold Windows key + R, type “gpedit“,
- press Enter, and click the Yes button at the UAC (User Account Control) prompt to open the Local Group Policy Editor with administrative privileges.
- Local Group Policy Editor
- Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, AutoPlay Policies.
- Double-click on Turn off Autoplay.
- Enable Autoplay, Disabled or Not Configured and select OK.
- Disable Autoplay, set the toggle to Enabled and select OK.
- Close the Local Group Policy Editor and then reboot your computer to force the changes to take effect.