Learn how to disable USB autoplay in Windows 10 to prevent interruptions, protect your system from malware, and enjoy a smoother computing experience.
Disabling USB autoplay in Windows 10 is a great way to further protect your computer from potential viruses, malware, or other external agents. And although this version has Windows Security, it never hurts to be careful. Also, many people dislike and really get in the way of USB opening automatically.
In order to save and transfer your information from one computer to another, you can also use your iPhone as a USB memory stick .
How to disable USB autoplay in Windows 10
To disable USB autoplay in Windows 10, you can follow these steps presented in a tabular guide format:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard to open the search bar. |
| 2 | Type Control Panel and open it. |
| 3 | In the Control Panel, click on Hardware and Sound. |
| 4 | Under Hardware and Sound, click on AutoPlay. |
| 5 | In the AutoPlay settings, uncheck the box that says Use AutoPlay for all media and devices. |
| 6 | You can also customize the AutoPlay settings for different types of media and devices by selecting an action from the dropdown menus next to each item. |
| 7 | After making your changes, click on Save at the bottom of the window. |
| 8 | Close the Control Panel. Your settings will now be applied. |
These steps will help you manage or disable the AutoPlay feature for USB drives and other media in Windows 10.
- The most direct and comfortable way to disable USB autoplay in Windows 10 is through the Settings application of this version. To do this, you must open the “Start” of your Windows 10 computer. You can do it by pressing the button located at the bottom left of the taskbar.
- Within this menu, locate and press the gear icon that will take you to “Settings”, this can be found on the lower left side. Then you will have to select the second option, from left to right, in this new window, the one indicated is called “Devices”.
- In this window, and in the left side menu, you will choose the option “Automatic play”. To completely disable USB autoplay in Windows 10, you must uncheck or slide the activation button to the left and until it is gray .
On the other hand, in this window you will also find different modes of settings that you can customize according to your wishes and according to the specific removable device. Sure, as long as you turn on automated playback.
If you had the bad luck to connect an infected USB memory but you do not know what it was, you can go to the option to recover history of connected USB devices and in this way be able to identify which one it was and avoid using it again or formatting it if necessary.
Through the Control Panel
- Another effective method to disable USB autoplay in Windows 10 is through the popular Control Panel. First, you will have to locate the mentioned Panel, which you can do by doing a quick search in the “Start” menu , typing in the name.
- When you place it, click on the item to open it, now, within the “Control Panel” you must select by clicking the specific section for “Automatic Play”. To access the adjustment options you want.
- Here you can view all the available options regarding this aspect, the first item being a checkbox to enable or disable automated USB playback in Windows 10.
- In this case, you have to remember to press the “Save” button that is located at the bottom right of the screen. However, and as in the previous case, you will also have other specific and customizable options to configure the actions that are carried out with each device inserted in the computer.
Can I turn autoplay back on?
Yes, if you have changed your mind and want to re-enable it, you can do so, just as if it was disabled by default. You just have to do the exact opposite.
- To do this, you will only have to follow the procedure, which you have seen before, which seems better or more comfortable and faster to carry out. In order to do so, you can activate the function from the sliding button or with the checkbox, depending on the case and the mode you chose.
- In addition to this, you may also want to apply specific settings for certain types of devices, such as memories or a Smartphone, and even the same pendrive. And you can do this by exploring the other available options, both in the settings and in the Control Panel.
- You can choose whether you want to automatically import photos and videos (if it is a multimedia device), synchronize with OneDrive, or decide to do nothing for a single computer.
- If you fear that a USB stick has some malicious component affecting your computer, you can install Windows Defender and program it to scan the USB sticks you connect automatically.
- You can also choose to have the system ask you what you want to do each time you insert a new drive. As well as if you want to automatically scan only that device whenever you use it.
- Another way to share information from your computer to another is by connecting them through a USB cable, of course in this case it is more complicated because it is necessary to have both computers at hand.
