Troubleshoot AutoPlay problems
Here are solutions to some common problems with AutoPlay.
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To see the options one time, right-click the device or drive, and then click Open Autoplay. If the device isn’t plugged in, hold down Shift and plug in the device. You can also hold down Shift while inserting a disc to see the list of options.
To see the options every time you plug in a device or insert a disc, follow these steps:
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Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button 
, and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.
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In the list next to the device or type of disc, click Ask me every time.
AutoPlay must review the types of content on the storage device or disc before it can assign a default program to open with. If there is a lot of content, the dialog box appears while AutoPlay is finishing its review. This is normal, and the AutoPlay dialog box closes by itself.
Follow these steps:
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Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.
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Clear the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box.
Follow these steps:
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Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.
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To never see the AutoPlay dialog box, click Take no action next to the device or disc. To choose an action each time you plug in a device or insert a disc, click Ask me every time.
There are several reasons for this problem. AutoPlay might be restricted by Group Policy, it could be canceled by a program that is running, or the service that AutoPlay needs to start might not be running.
Here are some things to try:
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Ask your network administrator if AutoPlay is restricted by Group Policy, and if so, what to do instead.
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Close other programs that might be interfering by accessing the device or media directly.
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Follow these steps:
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Click the
Start button
,
click
All Programs, click
Accessories, right-click
Command Prompt, and then click
Run as administrator.
If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. -
At the command prompt, type net start shellhwdetection, and then press Enter.
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Restart your computer.
It's possible that AutoPlay has been turned off for those types of media or devices. To check this, follow these steps:
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Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.
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In the list next to the device or media, click Ask me every time or select a specific action from the list.
Holding down the Shift key opens the AutoPlay dialog box regardless of the default setting. To prevent the AutoPlay dialog box from appearing for a specific storage type (such as a disc or device), follow these steps:
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Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.
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In the list next to the device or media, click Take no action.
The device probably contains a large number of files or a deep folder structure.
