What is AutoPlay
AutoPlay is a useful feature in Windows 11 that automatically displays or plays content from removable drives and memory cards when they are connected. You can even use AutoPlay to automatically import photos and videos when you insert a memory card.
AutoPlay is enabled in Windows 11 by default. You can change your AutoPlay settings to disable AutoPlay completely, or to change how Windows accesses your removeable drives and memory cards when they are connected.
How to change AutoPlay settings in Windows 11
- Click on Start ⊞ and select Settings.
- Click on Bluetooth & devices and select AutoPlay.
- Switch the toggle by Use AutoPlay for all media and devices to On or Off according to your preference.
- Choose your AutoPlay defaults for Removable drive and Memory card by selecting one of the options from the drop-down menu. A description of each setting is provided below.
Removable drive
Allows you to choose what AutoPlay does when you insert a USB drive. Clicking the drop-down menu gives you the following options:
- Take no action: Will do nothing when you insert a drive.
- Open folder to view files: Opens File Explorer when you insert a drive, allowing you to view the contents of a USB storage device.
- Ask me every time: Opens a pop-up menu with the above options when you insert a drive.
- Configure storage settings: AutoPlay will open Storage Settings when you insert a drive.
Memory card
Allows you to choose what AutoPlay does when you insert memory cards. This is particularly useful if you are a photographer or videographer.
- Import Photos and Videos: Automatically uploads photos and videos into either the Windows 11 Photos app or OneDrive.
- Play: Automatically opens and displays photos on your memory card with Windows Media Player.
- Take no action: Will do nothing when you insert a drive.
- Open folder to view files: Opens a File Explorer window to allow you to manually select specific photos to export.
- Ask me every time: Opens a pop-up menu with the above options when you insert a drive.
