AutoPlay is a feature in Windows that will automatically scan a device when it is connected to your figurer and based on your settings, will either perform a specified activity or practise null at all. In order to understand AutoPlay, though, yous also have to empathize some other very similar characteristic called AutoRun.

About people remember AutoRun and AutoPlay are just 2 terms for the aforementioned affair, simply that is not accurate. AutoRun is a feature that first came out in Windows 95! What was the point of it exactly? To make installing apps for non-techies easier. If a CD contained a file called autorun.inf in the root directory, Windows would detect it automatically and follow the instructions in that file.

This file is usually very unproblematic and basically only points to a file on the disc, normally the setup file or install file. Here is an example of one below:

autorun file

In Windows XP and earlier, the file would be read and automatically run without any kind of prompt. If you have ever popped in an install CD/DVD for a piece of hardware or a programme in Windows XP or earlier, information technology would but kickoff running the setup programme.

This manifestly posed serious security risks and Microsoft introduced AutoPlay as a way to gear up the trouble. AutoPlay's job is to examine a newly continued media device, make up one's mind what kind of content is on information technology, and and so brandish a dialog that allows the user to launch an awarding to play, run or brandish the content.

Now depending on the operating system yous are running, AutoRun and AutoPlay will piece of work differently. In all versions of Windows before than Windows Vista, AutoRun is executed before AutoPlay, unless AutoRun is disabled. If it'due south non disabled, AutoRun will execute and it will search for the AutoRun.inf file.

In Windows XP, if the autorun.inf file is found, AutoRun tin go ahead and bypass AutoPlay birthday and launch the application without asking the user start.

In Windows Vista and higher, AutoRun cannot skip past AutoPlay. If there is an AutoRun.inf file, information technology will still exist read, but instead of the application existence launched automatically, a dialog box will pop up with a list of choices, some of which could be from the autorun.inf file.

AutoRun vs. AutoPlay Example

To make this totally clear, let'due south go through an case. I accept a MSI driver CD with me that I volition pop into Windows XP, Windows vii and Windows ten to run into what happens. The AutoRun.inf file is the simple ane shown in the higher up screenshot.

In Windows XP, the disc is read, an autorun.inf file is institute and the MSI setup programme automatically pops upward on the screen.

windows xp autorun

However, when I popular the aforementioned CD into Windows 7, I instead get the following AutoPlay dialog:

autoplay windows 7

Every bit you can come across, it'due south trying to run the DVDsetup.exe file mentioned in the autorun.inf file, simply now you get the choice to choose. The same is truthful for Windows 10. Here you first get a notification on your screen.

tap to choose

If you click on that, information technology will bring up the AutoPlay dialog where y'all can cull what action to perform.

choose action disc

Overall, even though yous can disable the AutoPlay feature in Windows vii and college, it's not going to harm your calculator because no program can be executed without your permission. All AutoPlay does is observe the media and brandish the options for you.

If y'all're running Windows XP, on the other hand, information technology might exist a good idea to disable AutoRun because on that operating system, programs can still be run without user consent.

Configure AutoPlay in Windows 7

It's worth noting that in Windows 7 you tin can change the AutoPlay settings so that they mimic how it works in Windows XP. This is probably non something you would desire to exercise, only it's an selection.

To configure AutoPlay, click on Start and blazon in autoplay. Select the commencement option at the top.

autoplay windows 7

This will bring up an absolutely behemothic list of items that y'all can individually configure. Thankfully, this listing has been greatly reduced in Windows ten as yous'll see below. Note that if you want to turn off AutoPlay completely in Windows vii, only uncheck the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices box at the very pinnacle.

windows 7 autplay configure

The reason I got the popup dialog when putting in my software CD was because Software and games was ready to Ask me every time. Y'all tin can change this to Install or run program from your media, Open up folder to view files, or Have no activeness.

autplay options

The listing of options to choose from will vary depending on what type of media is connected. For example, an audio CD or DVD motion-picture show will have the choice to played using Windows Media Role player. If you connect a device with pictures or videos, you'll have the option to automatically import the items. In addition to the standard items, if y'all always continued other devices to your computer like a smartphone or tablet, those will evidence up at the very bottom.

Configure AutoPlay in Windows ten

In Windows 10, click on Start and type in AutoPlay to open the AutoPlay Settings dialog. Equally y'all can see, at that place are but two options instead of the numerous in Windows 7. As with Windows 7, if you connected any other external device, those volition prove upwards after Removable Drive and Memory Carte.

autoplay windows 10

The options are pretty much the aforementioned in terms of the actions you lot tin have. For me, every time I connected my iPhone, it would try to import them into OneDrive, which I did not want to happen. This is the place where you tin can plow that off.

From my testing, it seems like the options for Memory Menu are used when you popular in a DVD or CD.

autoplay options windows 10

Since well-nigh people are using the latest versions of Windows, you lot really no longer have to worry about anything other than AutoPlay. It's also a straight-forward process to disable or enable AutoPlay in Windows if y'all like. If you lot accept any questions, feel costless to annotate. Bask!