The Windows AutoPlay feature allows a computer to automatically run a program or video on a CD or DVD that’s inserted into a computer disc drive. If AutoPlay is disabled, nothing automatically happens with a CD or DVD until you explore the disc.

By default, Autoplay is enabled in Windows, but may be disabled by a user or another program. To enable or disable the Windows AutoPlay feature, follow the appropriate steps below.

Disable Microsoft Windows AutoPlay

To disable AutoPlay in Microsoft Windows, follow these steps.

  • Disable Microsoft Windows AutoPlay.
  • Enable Microsoft Windows AutoPlay.

If you want to permanently disable the AutoPlay feature, follow the steps below for your version of Microsoft Windows.

You can temporarily disable the AutoPlay feature by holding down the left Shift as the CD begins to run. Also, to browse the contents of the CD, open My Computer, right-click the CD-ROM drive, and choose Explore.

Disable AutoPlay in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

  • Open the Windows Registry Editor.
  • In the Registry Editor, open the below registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Cdrom\

  • In the Cdrom folder, change the Autorun string value from a ‘1’ to a ‘0’.
  • Close the Registry Editor.

Disable AutoPlay in Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can disable AutoPlay by configuring Windows Explorer.

  • Disable AutoPlay in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
  • Disable AutoPlay in Windows XP.
  • Disable AutoPlay in Windows 95, 98, and ME.
  • Disable AutoPlay in Windows NT and 2000.

To perform the steps below, you must edit the system registry. Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system errors, and there is no undo function. Before editing your registry, create a backup of the current registry state. If something goes wrong, you can restore the registry to this state, to try to fix the problem. For more information, see: How to back up and restore the Windows registry.

  • Open My Computer or Explorer
  • Right-click the CD-ROM drive and click Properties.
  • Click the AutoPlay tab. In this section, you can specify all Windows AutoPlay features.

Disable AutoPlay with TweakUI

On multiple versions of Windows, you can disable AutoPlay with the TweakUI utility.

  • Download and install TweakUI.

  • Where can I get TweakUI for Microsoft Windows?

  • From the TweakUI interface, click the + next to My Computer

  • Click the + next to AutoPlay

  • Select Drives and uncheck each drive you want to disable AutoPlay on.

Disable AutoPlay in Windows 95, 98, and ME

In Windows 95, 98, or ME, follow these steps to disable AutoPlay.

  • Open the Device Manager.
  • Click the + next to CD-ROM and double-click the currently installed CD-ROM drive.
  • In the CD-ROM properties, click the Settings tab and verify that there is not a check in the Auto Insert Notification section.

Disable AutoPlay on audio CDs only

To disable AutoPlay for audio CDs only, follow these steps.

  • Click Start, Programs, Windows Explorer
  • In Windows Explorer, click View, then click Folder Options.
  • Click the File types tab and locate " CD Audio Track" category in the list of available file types.
  • Highlight " CD Audio Track" and click Edit or Advanced.
  • In the Actions category, change the default from Play to Open or None.

Disable AutoPlay by editing the Windows registry

If the My Autorun or AutoPlay feature still does not work after following the above recommendations and you are running Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows 98, try the below solution.

  • How to back up and restore the Windows registry.

In Regedit, navigate into the below folders.

Before editing your Microsoft Windows registry, we recommend you create a backup of the entire registry. Any improper registry changes can cause the operating system to malfunction. Only proceed if you’re confident in what you are doing, and are prepared to restore the registry if necessary.

HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CURRENTVERSION\POLICIES\EXPLORER\

Once in the Explorer folder, double-click the entry NoDriveTypeAutoRun if present and change the value to “95 00 00 00”.

If NoDriveTypeAutoRun is not present, follow the steps below.

  • Click Edit from the drop-down menu.
  • Click New.
  • Click Binary value.
  • Enter “NoDriveTypeAutoRun” as the name.
  • Enter “95 00 00 00” as the value.

Once the above is completed, exit Regedit and reboot the computer. Autoplay should now be disabled.

Disable AutoPlay in Windows NT and 2000

In Windows NT or 2000, follow these steps to disable AutoPlay.

  • Click Start, Run, type Regedit and press Enter.

  • In the Registry Editor, open the below registry key:

  • In the Cdrom folder, change the Autorun value from a ‘1’ to a ‘0’.

  • Close the Registry Editor.

Enable Microsoft Windows AutoPlay

To enable AutoPlay in Microsoft Windows, follow these steps.

Performing the steps below require you edit the system registry. Make sure you know the issues that could occur if the incorrect registry entry is made.

Enable AutoPlay in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10

In Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10, follow these steps to enable AutoPlay.

Before attempting the instructions below, verify the CD not AutoPlaying can do this. Not all CDs are capable of being auto played. CDs for Microsoft Windows that are AutoPlay data have an “autorun.inf” file in the root directory of the CD.

  • Enable AutoPlay in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10.

  • Enable AutoPlay in Windows XP.

  • Enable AutoPlay in Windows 95, 98, and ME.

  • Enable AutoPlay in Windows NT and 2000.

  • When in the Cdrom folder, change the Autorun string value from a ‘0’ to a ‘1’.

  • Close the Registry Editor.

Enable AutoPlay in Windows XP

Enable through Windows Explorer

  • Open My Computer or Explorer
  • Right-click the CD-ROM drive or another disc drive and click Properties.
  • Click the AutoPlay tab. In this section, you can specify all Windows AutoPlay features.

Enable AutoPlay on CD and DVD drives

  • From the TweakUI interface, click the + next to My Computer
  • Click the + next to AutoPlay
  • Select Drives and check each drive you want to AutoPlay.

Enable AutoPlay in Windows 95, 98, and ME

  • Open the Device Manager.
  • Click the + next to CD-ROM and double-click the currently installed CD-ROM drive.
  • In the CD-ROM properties, click the Settings tab and verify that there is a check in the Auto Insert Notification section. If there is no check in this box, place a check into the box, then click Ok and restart the computer.

Disable AutoPlay for Audio CDs only

  • Click Start, Programs, Windows Explorer
  • In Windows Explorer, click View and then Folder Options.
  • Click the File types tab and locate “CD Audio Track” category in the list of available file types.
  • Highlight “CD Audio Track” and click Edit or Advanced.
  • In the Actions category double-click the option listed Play; if this is not listed, see the next paragraph.
  • If you want to use the default Windows CD player, ensure that in the “Application used to perform the action” section is “c:\windows\cdplayer.exe -play”.
  • Once set, make sure this action is the Default.

If Play was not an option listed when following the above steps, in the “Edit File type” window click New. After that, type Play for the action type, then under “application used to perform this action” type c:\windows\cdplayer.exe -play.

Enable AutoPlay in Windows NT and 2000

  • Click Start, Run, type Regedit and press Enter.

  • In the Registry Editor open the below registry key:

  • When in the Cdrom folder, change the Autorun from a ‘0’ to a ‘1’.

  • Close the Registry Editor.

The above steps are for setting audio CDs to be played with the default Microsoft Windows CD player. If you have a different CD player, you need to edit the play to point to the program you want to play your CDs.

  • How to make a Windows AutoPlay CD.
  • For additional information about the AutoPlay feature, see our AutoPlay definition.
  • CD-ROM help and support.
  • Microsoft Windows help and support.