AutoPlay when USB HDD is connected

[bawldiggle]

Laptop (Lenovo) with External USB3 HDD for data storage
Partion #1 50* GB NTFS
Partion #2 250* GB unallocated
* approx.
The external HDD stores mixed data (4,800+ files): txt, png, pdf, odt, doc, docx, etc
Current data occupies 34% of partition #1 ... 17GB

When the data drive is connected (USB3) AutoPlay runs, analyzing the data type.
All I want is the data HDD to open in WinExp without AutoPlay running.

From my research a registry tweak of NoDriveTypeAutoRun could/might(?) streamline connecting Data HDD and obviously any USB data storage devices ...but I am unsure of the value based on Registry Values for NoDriveTypeAutoRun Win-7 table.

ie sum of: Unknown types, removable drives either 13 or 93 or 80 ?
I am confused by two Disables AutoPlay on drives of unknown type values 0x1 and 0x80

My Control Panel settings:
Mixed content = "Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer"
... but AutoPlay still runs when I reconnect the USB data HDD

Does this mean I have to disable AutoPlay (Control Panel) completely or will tweaking NoDriveTypeAutoRun stop AutoPlay for all connected USB drives (HDDs and SSD thumb drives)
I am trying to avoid a blanket disabling of AutoPlay ... eg, to allow movie DVD, music CDs to run automatically.

Would appreciate any guidance ... thank you

References:
Win-7 AutoPlay
Vista AutoPlay

 

[file3456]

Just turn it off in group policy. It is much more effective.

Type gpedit.msc in the Run box, and then press ENTER to open the Group Policy Editor. Under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Click Autoplay Policies.

Never mind. I guess you still want auto play. Well, I'm not sure how to make that selective.