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October 2004

Windows XP AutoPlay

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A while back, my Windows XP CD-ROM and DVD AutoPlay feature quit working. I read the Microsoft articles "The AutoRun feature or the AutoPlay feature does not work when you insert a CD-ROM in the drive" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330135) and "The AutoPlay Function Does Not Work and the Current Media Does Not Appear in My Computer When You Insert a CD or DVD" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=817357), but neither article helped me solve the problem.

Finally, I tried inserting a CD-ROM, selecting My Computer, right-clicking the drive that contained the CD-ROM, and selecting Properties. I clicked the AutoPlay tab and selected the Select an action to perform option, then double-clicked the program I wanted to use to run the CD-ROM. This action launched the program on my CD-ROM. Note that simply highlighting the program you want to use and clicking OK or Apply doesn't work; you must double-click the program and force it to launch on the CD-ROM or DVD in the drive. My CD-ROM then ran automatically, using the program I associated with it on the AutoPlay tab.

End of Article



Reader Comments
More important would be clarificationof how to DISABLE autoplay, once only, for all removeable types, on both XP Home & Pro (& why one's a reg fix while the other's a policy). Ever plugged a large USB drive into XP and watched the nonsense that happens automatically?

drwtsn32 October 04, 2004 (Article Rating: )


That nonsense you talk about is what I want to happen with my USB Gizmo drive. But it doesnt. Cant find a fix

Anonymous User January 16, 2005


Have followed suggestion for CD Auto Play to no avail. What program should you consider using to run Pro show gold?. When I double click on any of the programs appearing in drop down window nothing happens.

Hope you can help

Anonymous User February 25, 2005


I'm afraid I can't help with the original problem but I'm glad to have found a way to get rid of autoplay on my system, once and for always (at least I hope so ;).
------------------------------------
I've found the how to at the following URL:
http://www.pcbuyersguide.com/software/system/WinXP-tips.html
------------------------------------
You can disable autorun features under Windows XP with the option to easily re-enable them again later on, using the "Turn Off Autoplay" function in the Group Policy Editor, gpedit.msc. You'll find it under Administrative Templates > System. An even easier (and more basic) way of controlling Autoplay is found simply by right-clicking the CD icon, choosing Properties and then selecting various options in the Autoplay tab. You can disable or enable autoplay for individual file types, or restore default settings easily.
------------------------------------

Anonymous User March 19, 2005 (Article Rating: )


Please see the following post to get to Tweak UI for XP. This is a utility from Microsoft that allows you to display autoplay drive by drive.
Tweak UI is here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/whistler/Install/2/WXP/EN-US/TweakUiPowertoySetup.exe

The post where I found this advice is here:
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1036775953

Anonymous User March 20, 2005 (Article Rating: )


to DISABLE autoplay for all drives you can simply disable the "Shell Hardware Detection" service.

control panel -> administrative tools -> services:
select "Shell Hardware Detection" press the stop button.
for after next reboot: doubleclick and set startup type to Manual

Anonymous User May 18, 2005 (Article Rating: )


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