External drives wont auto open


M

mx5

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Windows 11 24H2 All external drives all of a sudden will not auto open when connected. Ive triple checked all setting are turned on and set to open drive and show files. ive ran sfc /scannow, and it showed no corrupt files. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11Intel I7 870032gb DDR4Nvidia 1060
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
dell
CPU
Intel I7 8700
Memory
32gb DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 1060
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 28" 4k
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
1tb Samsung 990 Pro
Internet Speed
gigabit
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Bitdender
Here are suggestions of things to try, courtesy of ChatGPT. Test the issue after each one.

1. Check AutoPlay Settings
  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > AutoPlay (or search "AutoPlay" in the Settings search bar).
  3. Make sure:
    • Use AutoPlay for all media and devices is ON.
    • Under Removable drive, choose "Open folder to view files (File Explorer)".
2. Control Panel AutoPlay Settings
  1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
  2. Go to Hardware and Sound > AutoPlay.
  3. Ensure the correct action is selected for each device type:
    • For Removable drive, select "Open folder to view files using File Explorer".
    • Click Save at the bottom.
3. Check Drive-Specific Setting
If AutoPlay works for some drives but not others:
  1. Insert the drive.
  2. Open This PC.
  3. Right-click the drive > Properties > Hardware tab.
  4. Select the device > Properties > Change settings > Policies tab.
  5. Make sure it’s set to Quick removal (no caching).
  6. Safely eject and reinsert the drive to see if AutoPlay responds.
4. Restart the AutoPlay Service
  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Find Shell Hardware Detection.
  3. Right-click it > Restart.
  4. If it’s not running, right-click > Start.
5. Check Group Policy (if you're on Pro/Enterprise)
  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > AutoPlay Policies
  1. Double-click Turn off AutoPlay and make sure it’s Disabled or Not Configured.
6. Registry Fix (Advanced Users)
  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  1. Look for a key called NoDriveTypeAutoRun.
    • If it exists, right-click it > Modify.
    • Set the value to 91 (hex) or 145 (decimal) — this enables most AutoPlay features.
  2. Restart the PC.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Mine also do not auto open but do show in File Explorer. I usually get a prompt about how I want to open and I always choose which choice to use, seems a history is stored when I've opened a previously opened drive always get the prompt on new connections or when plugged into a different port.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
    OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Tried all the posted suggestions, still no joy :(
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11Intel I7 870032gb DDR4Nvidia 1060
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
dell
CPU
Intel I7 8700
Memory
32gb DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 1060
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 28" 4k
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
1tb Samsung 990 Pro
Internet Speed
gigabit
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Bitdender
Sometimes a little foolery works when something doesn't work as it is supposed to. Open control panel>autoplay>removeable drives>change it to "ask me every time." If that works then try changing it back to "open folder to view files"
Other than that, I have nothing else to offer as a fix except to try a repair install. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
glasskuter i have done both, did the windows 11 repair this morning, nada! iam glad iam bald or id be pulling my hair out.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11Intel I7 870032gb DDR4Nvidia 1060
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
dell
CPU
Intel I7 8700
Memory
32gb DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 1060
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 28" 4k
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
1tb Samsung 990 Pro
Internet Speed
gigabit
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Bitdender
After a long time, pulling out what little hair i have left over my external drives not opening, i found a registry file posted on site here, that fixed my issue :)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

11Intel I7 870032gb DDR4Nvidia 1060
OS
11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
dell
CPU
Intel I7 8700
Memory
32gb DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia 1060
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 28" 4k
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
1tb Samsung 990 Pro
Internet Speed
gigabit
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Bitdender
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