How to Stop Windows Media Player from Automatically Playing Files

When using Windows Media Player, especially on devices like Lenovo computers running Windows 10 or 11, you might encounter issues where files are automatically played. This can be frustrating, especially if you are not expecting any media to play. Fortunately, there are several methods to stop this behavior and regain control over your media playback settings.

Understanding the Issue

Windows Media Player was designed to automatically play files when they are inserted into the CD drive or when a specified folder is set as a media library. This feature can be toggled off to prevent unwanted playback.

Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Automatic Play

Instructions for Windows 10 and 11

Deleting a specific registry key can help you disable the automatic play feature in Windows Media Player. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Open the Registry Editor. Press Win R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter. You will be prompted for an administrator password or confirmation; type your password and click Continue.

Navigate to the Relevant Key. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer

Create or Modify the Value. Look for a value named AutoplayHandlersTrust. If it doesn't exist, right-click on Explorer and select New DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it AutoplayHandlersTrust. If it does exist, right-click on it and select Modify.

Set the Value. Change the value data to 0. This disables the autoplay feature for all drives (including CD drives and USB drives).

Confirm and Exit. Click OK to close the dialog box, then close the Registry Editor. Reboot your computer for changes to take effect.

Note: Be cautious when editing the registry. Incorrect changes can cause system instability. Always make a backup before making any changes.

Alternative Solutions

Another approach is to change the autoplay settings in the device's properties. Here's how to do it:

Right-click on the CD/DVD drive in File Explorer. Select Properties.

Navigate to the ‘ autoplay ’ tab. Here, you can choose the default action when a disc is inserted (such as not to do anything, open a folder, or play the disc).

For USB drives, you can right-click on the drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and navigate to the Tools tab to set autoplay options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I reset my Windows Media Player settings?

To reset Windows Media Player settings to their default state, you can also use the 'QuickRestore' feature provided by Windows Media Player. Open Windows Media Player, go to Tools Check Media Player for Updates Advanced Options QuickRestore. This will help to revert your settings to default.

Q: I have updated Windows 10 or 11, but the autoplay settings are still not working. What should I do?

If you have recently updated your system and autoplay settings are not working, you may need to check for any update conflicts. Ensure that your system is fully updated and reboot the computer. You can also try rolling back recent updates to see if that resolves the issue.

Conclusion

Stopping Windows Media Player from automatically playing files can be done through several methods, including modifying the registry, changing autoplay settings in device properties, and using QuickRestore. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to regain control over your media playback, making your computer experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.

If you continue to experience issues, please consult the official Microsoft support or the Lenovo support website for additional troubleshooting steps and resources.

Keywords

Windows Media Player, Automatic Play, Lenovo, Windows 10, Windows 11