How to change AutoPlay settings in Windows 10

Ian

When you connect a flash drive to your computer, you may want it to automatically open up and show you the contents. You might want the SD card from your camera to automatically import photos or for CDs to automatically start playing. What your computer does when you connect or insert a device can be controlled by changing the AutoPlay settings.

1. Open Windows Settings by opening the start menu and selecting the gear symbol in the left column

2. Once in Settings, select Devices.

3. Find and select AutoPlay in the left column.

4. Make sure AutoPlay is set to On here.

5. You can select a default behavior for Memory cards and for Removable Drives.

The behavior for removable drives applies to Flash Drives, External Hard drives, and CD/DVDs

6. Removable Drives can be set to your choice of the following:
  a. Take no action: The computer will basically ignore the new device and you will have to manually perform any
     action

  b. Open folder to view files: a window will open showing you what's on the device

  c. Ask me every time: a small alert will appear at the bottom of your screen asking you to choose what to do

7. Memory Cards can be set to any of the following choices:

  a. Import photos and videos: Pictures will be imported using your default photo viewing program

  b. Play video files: any videos on the device will start to play using your default video player program

  c. Take no action: The computer will basically ignore the new device and you will have to manually perform any
     action

  d. Open folder to view items: a window will open showing you what's on the device

  e. Ask me every time: a small alert will appear at the bottom of your screen asking you to choose what to do

8. Once you have made your selection, simply close Windows Settings. You do not need to Save or Apply your changes, they are saved automatically.