External drives wont auto open


M

mx5

Member
Local time
3:42 PM
Posts
3
OS
11
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

System One

  • 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 970 evo plus......
    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

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    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
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm 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
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    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
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    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 26100.4061
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

System One System Two

  • 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
  • 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

System One

  • 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 970 evo plus......
    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

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    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
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm 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
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.4061
    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
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    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 26100.4061
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

System One

  • 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 970 evo plus......
    Internet Speed
    gigabit
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Bitdender
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Solved How to enable notification for external, removable drives?
Replies
3
Views
222
garlin
G
File Explorer showing multiple external drive when there is only one
Replies
3
Views
1K
Spunk
Spunk
Unable to Connect to any External Drives
Replies
9
Views
695
Ed McCauley
E
Solved Set up external drive for restoring
2
Replies
34
Views
1K
Scannerman
Scannerman
File History doesn't recognize external drive
Replies
5
Views
1K
XxXxX
XxXxX

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom