There may be more than one causes that result in AutoPlay function no longer been used in Windows 7. In order to fix AutoPlay not working issue in Windows 7, try the following solutions or tricks in the guide below, which also points to possible error or reason to affect AutoPlay.
1. Ensure that AutoPlay is used for all media type and devices
Go to
Control Panel ->
Programs ->
Default Programs, and select
Change AutoPlay settings, or
Control Panel ->
Hardware and Sound ->
AutoPlay.
Ensure that the check box for
Use AutoPlay for all media and devices is ticked (enabled).
Then, make sure that for the devices and media that you want AutoPlay dialog to prompt,
Ask me every time is selected. If other option is selected, Windows will automatically performing the action without prompting for selection.
Alternatively, just click on
Reset all defaults to reset and return AutoPlay settings to its original factory defaults.
2. Ensure that Shell Hardware Detection service is running
Type
service.msc in Start Search to run Services console. Locate
Shell Hardware Detection, and ensure that the “Service Status” is
Running, and “Startup Type” is
Automatic.
Else, start the service and change the Startup Type setting accordingly.
3. Ensure that CD-ROM AutoRun is not disabled in registry (for optical drive issue only)
For users facing AutoRun or AutoPlay doesn’t work or display when inserting a disc into optical drive, run Registry Editor (regedit), and navigate to the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CDRom
Locate the
AutoRun registry value in the right pane, and check that the value data for AutoRun is set as
1 (one), representing enabled. If it is 0 (zero), which mean disabled CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive AutoRun process, re-enable the AutoRun by changing the value to 1.
4. Ensure that NoDriveTypeAutoRun and/or NoDriveAutoRun policy registry value data is correct
For most users, the main culprit of AutoPlay not functioning is NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry key, where its value has been modified unknowingly. Some third-party software program, especially disc imaging or image editing program such as Nero, PowerISO, MagicISO, and even some other application programs such as Rhapsody and
VMWare virtualization products intentionally disable AutoPlay feature by changing system’s policy to avoid conflict with the program. The problem is after uninstalling the software, the AutoPlay feature does not re-enable or restore. User has to rely on trick below to re-enable the AutoPlay.
If you’re facing the drive won’t Auto Play or Auto Run issue after installing certain software, try to uninstall the software to see if it fixes the problem. Better still if it’s possible to roll back the system using System Restore to earlier Restore Point when the software is not yet installed.
NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry key is used by Group Policy to configure whether to disable the Autoplay feature on all drives of the type specified. To check this setting, run Registry Editor (regedit), and navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
or (note that above registry value, if exists, will always supersede the below user-specific key),
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Locate the
NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry entry on the right pane. The registry key is in DWORD hexadecimal value, which each bit determines which type of drive to disable or enable AutoPlay feature. There are many possible value for NoDriveTypeAutoRun, some possible NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry value data includes:
- 0×00000000 (0) enable all AutoPlay and AutoRun.
- 0×00000080 (128) disable AutoPlay on unknown reserved file type.
- 0×00000091 (145) default in Windows Vista and Windows 7.
- 0×00000095 (149) default in Windows XP.
- 0×000000B5 (181) disable AutoRun on CD-ROM drives, plus default unknown drive, removable drive (meant for floppy or ZIP), network drive and reserved drive type.
- 0×000000FF (255) disable AutoRun/AutoPlay on all drive types.
Thus, if the NoDriveTypeAutoRun registry value data is set to 0x000000B5 (181) or 0x000000FF (255), which disables AutoRun/AutoPlay on most or all drive types, the AutoPlay won’t work when a drive is connected.
The best bet is to set NoDriveTypeAutoRun to default value as set by Windows 7 and Vista, which is
0×00000091 (hexadecimal) or
145 (decimal). Previous Windows version such as XP uses 0×00000095 (hexadecimal) or 149 (decimal). To enable AutoPlay on all drive types, set NoDriveTypeAutoRun to 0 (zero) or 0×00000080 (128) which only disable AutoPlay on unknown reserved file type.
NoDriveAutoRun registry key, which stored at the same registry location, meanwhile determine whether a particular connected drive should run AutoPlay function or not. When AutoRun is enabled on the drive, media is automatically started when it is inserted in the drive.
By default, Windows 7 and Vista does not add any NoDriveAutoRun registry subkey. And you probably don’t want to block any drive from AutoPlay too. So remove and delete all
NoDriveAutoRun key in the registry.
