How to Change AutoPlay Settings in Windows 11?

How do I change AutoPlay settings in Windows 11? We all know when you plug any external drive into your PC, Windows automatically display a pop-up and take specific actions. The default configuration of Windows 11 displays a pop-up window and prompts you to select your desired action when you insert a media or attach a new device to your PC.

AutoPlay is a good option, as it lets you select the desired option. Without your permission, your PC will not execute any file or media. But, what you will do when you have messed up with the settings and Windows does not pop up for any action when you plug any external device into your PC. We expect a simple answer from all of you that we need to reset the settings to restore the default behavior of AutoPlay.

Microsoft understands everything and also provided an option on Windows 11 to reset these settings. On Windows 11, you can easily configure the AutoPlay feature to decide which action to take when you insert an external drive to your PC. For your information, the AutoPlay feature of Windows 11 automatically detects the disc or media inserted on the PC and takes action based on the pre-defined settings. Once you have configured the AutoPlay, Windows will make decisions based on your settings.

Once you disable the AutoPlay feature on your PC, when an external disc or USB flash drive is inserted on your PC, Windows will not automatically read or execute any file. This way, you can prevent your PC from malicious content being executed.

Once you have decided to configure the AutoPlay feature behavior, you can proceed with the below-mentioned steps.

How to reconfigure AutoPlay settings in Windows 11?

Step 1. Simultaneously press Windows + I keys from your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Alternatively, press the Windows key from the keyboard to open the Start menu and then click on the Settings gear icon.

Step 2. In the Settings, select Bluetooth & devices category from the left sidebar, and then click on the AutoPlay tab on the right-hand side of it.

Step 3. If you don’t want to play any media or pop-up window when you insert your external drive to a PC, simply turn the toggle switch to the Off position next to Use AutoPlay for all media and devices.

Once you disable the AutoPlay feature, you need to manually open the contents of external devices when you insert or connect to your computer.

Step 4. However, if you want to customize individual settings, let Use AutoPlay for all media and devices turned on. Now, choose the media type that you would like to modify. Select the default action you want AutoPlay to perform when you connect every kind of media or device.

Clicking on the Removable drive drop-down, you can select from the following options:-

• Configure storage settings (Settings)
• Take no action
• Open folder to view files (File Explorer)
• Ask me every time.

While clicking on the Memory card drop-down menu, you will have the following options to choose from:-

• Import photos and videos (Photos)
• Play (Windows Media Player)
• Take no action
• Open folder to view files (File Explorer)
• Ask me every time.

Select your desired options according to your needs. Next time, when you connect your external media to your PC, Windows 11 will perform your chosen option.

How to configure AutoPlay settings in Control Panel?

Control Panel is still alive on Windows 11, and AutoPlay settings are possible to configure. It would be best if you did the following:-

Step 1. Open Control Panel.

To launch Control Panel on Windows 11, first press Windows + R keys simultaneously from the keyboard to access the Run dialog box. In the Run box, type the control panel and then click on the OK button.

Step 2. On the Control Panel window, click on the Hardware and Sound category.

Step 3. Now, click on AutoPlay link on the right-side pane.

Step 4. Once you perform the above steps, you can configure AutoPlay on the upcoming window. Unlike the Settings app, which allows you to configure Removable drive and Memory card only, you can configure many types of devices here. From here, you can configure the following types of external devices:-

• Removable drive
• Memory card
• DVDs
• Blu-ray discs
• CDs
• Software
• Phones (if you have connected to your PC)

Step 5. Once you set the default behavior for the specific types of devices, click on the Save button in the bottom right corner.