Change default action on connecting a USB device

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15

I've a device I connect to my windows computer (in this case it is an iPod but I don't believe that matters). Often when I first connect such devices a dialog will pop up giving a list of actions with a check box saying something like "do this as the default" or "always do this".

For some reason when I first used this device I selected open a folder to view files and had the always check-box checked. I wish I'd pressed do nothing, now when I connect the device this annoying file folder pops up and I just have to close it.

How can I get the default USB action for this device to change?

Hogan

Posted 2012-03-15T15:11:23.373

Reputation: 1 284

What OS are you using? XP, 7, 8 CB? – wizlog – 2012-03-15T15:14:29.567

I'm using Vista but I was guessing it did not matter -- judging by your answer it doesn't. – Hogan – 2012-03-15T15:45:46.547

Answers

158

Microsoft explains all about autoplay here.

  1. Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type autoplay, and then click AutoPlay.

  2. In the list next to the device or type of media, click the new action you want to use.

wizlog

Posted 2012-03-15T15:11:23.373

Reputation: 12 320

The stored device name is shown in the Autoplay window. You can reset all defaults too. That's what I did. @wizlog Thanks for the info. – noob – 2014-09-25T13:11:02.437

5btw/fyi - This same explaination works with Windows 10 – None – 2015-08-24T16:30:01.873

This blog post by Rahul Saigal has some screenshots to illustrate this, which might help particularly on non-English systems. – MvG – 2017-04-23T18:47:52.680

Very useful, I'm not sure why I can't just find stuff like this in Windows but I always end up googling :) And I'm the guy who most ppl know ask for help! – Rob11311 – 2017-11-27T14:27:21.887

@Rob11311 I'm also that guy! Glad this game up on Google haha – wizlog – 2017-11-28T19:49:59.337

I'll check this out when I get home. Is there where it stores defaults for a specific device? It seems only my iPod takes this action. – Hogan – 2012-03-15T15:47:03.773

@Hogan - The default is stored in the registry. There are ways to basically forget about the device. I suggest just using wizlog's advice. – Ramhound – 2012-03-15T16:17:29.710

1This solved my problem and the display contains device specific settings at the bottom. Thanks! – Hogan – 2012-03-16T19:18:26.137

Asked: 2012-03-15T15:11:23.373

Viewed: 281 890 times

Active: 2015-10-07T18:12:08.790