USB not showing content on monitor.

My main PC is an Asus Z490, Intel core i7 10700k running Windows 11 23h2 – build 22631.4037. I have 3 other PC’s all running the same PC build. My problem with my main PC is not able to see the content of external HDDs or USB files when I plug them in. I do not have this problem with any of the other three.

However, the device icon appears on the taskbar and I get an advice from ESET that a device has been added to the system. I am able to go into the File Manager and access the USB attachment but would like to really be able to use the facility of seeing the content of the USB attachment when I do attach it.

I have checked the “Device Manager” and the USB device appears in the Disk Drives. There are no warning flags appearing. I have deleted Device Manager the “Universal Serial Bus controller” in its entirety, rebooting and letting the system rebuild the USB files but no change. I have checked the Settings and made sure Autorun is turned on. I have used Safe Mode but no change.

To check that the problem was not with the MB/CPU, I have installed a fresh copy of Windows 11 and have no problem seeing USB on this copy. I am wondering if one of my TP programs might be interfering with the USB. I am not prepared to try a new build and adding programs to it, I can live with a work around but wonder if there might be a fix (Registry maybe). I have another PC running all of my programs (exact setup to my problem PC) without the USB problem.

When first setting up a PC and adding a USB, an advice appears asking how you would like to view the content of the USB. How can I get this to reappear?

Bryan,

Forgive me but I don't fully understand. I know it's just me, but this is where I am getting hung up:

You say that "I am able to go into the File Manager and access the USB attachment" but I am not following when you say "but would like to really be able to use the facility of seeing the content of the USB attachment when I do attach it."

Is it the preview pane that you are missing as in this screenshot?



If so, you can enable the Preview window like this:

The preview option has been checked. Sorry, that's not the problem.

Bryan said:

The preview option has been checked. Sorry, that's not the problem.

Click to expand...

In that case, could you please help me to understand what it is that you seek? Tell me like I am a moron, because I am .

Sorry about not being succinct. When a USB is attached, it should immediately show the USB content on the monitor. In my case, this is bypassed. No content of the USB is displayed. However, the content is available if I go to File Manager and access the USB from there, just like the other attached HDDs can be.

Bryan said:

Sorry about not being succinct. When a USB is attached, it should immediately show the USB content on the monitor. In my case, this is bypassed. No content of the USB is displayed. However, the content is available if I go to File Manager and access the USB from there, just like the other attached HDDs can be.

Click to expand...

Have you checked the settings from screenshot below?

Yes, I have set the option to "Open folder to view files"

Have you set 'Auto Play' for that drive?
If not you'll have to open Windows Explorer, not Drive Manager, to view the files on the drive.

good luck,
TM

Thanks for helping me to understand. I'm a little slow sometimes .

I believe that what @OAT pointed out should do the trick. In addition, you can find settings related to Auto Play here:

NOTE: I am on Win 11, 24H2, Release Preview build 26100.1586. I have "Take no action" selected, that is NOT what you want.

As in #7, I have set this already to "Open folder to view files" and I have tried "Ask me every time" both without any change.

It's probably corruption in your your user account. You can prove it by creating another account to test with.

Glasscutter you are wonderful. Precisely the problem. Now, how do I fix my user account corruption?

Make autoplay set to open with explorer for all device types
Go into Computer Management, on the left click Disk Management, change the drive letter to your USB and try again. Change it from D to F or F to G or something. (Whatever the drive letter may be, change it to the next letter if not in use)

This has worked for myself and I have seen this work for others.

I think you can also open Disk Management, right-click (or long-press) the Start button and select Disk Management.

Thank you antspants. Did not work for me, I will go with Glasskuter's solution and see what happens.

Out of interest Brian, did you try switching it to “Ask Me Every Time” to see if the option shows when plugging in your USB?

Yes, that's what it is set too at present. Having used my wife's user account and found that hers works, I am convinced that my user account is corrupt. I now have see about rebuilding it. Thanks for the interest and I will report back once I have fixed the user account. It would be nice to know how the corruption occurred.

Bryan said:

Yes, that's what it is set too at present. Having used my wife's user account and found that hers works, I am convinced that my user account is corrupt. I now have see about rebuilding it. Thanks for the interest and I will report back once I have fixed the user account. It would be nice to know how the corruption occurred.

Click to expand...

A new account is a good idea, but what you’re experiencing is something that pops up randomly, often.

The two things (That I have already mention and you tried) that work in my experience is A) Changing the drive letter & B) Setting to Always Ask, and after the first time that works, go back to the settings and change it back to “Open folder to view files (File Explorer) )

As these apparently aren’t working for you, you obviously have to try other options.

glasskuter could probably help you, otherwise

Add Local User Account - ElevenForumTutorials (Option two maybe?)
Change Account Type (Std-Admin) - ElevenForumTutorials

Created another Admin User Account, transferred all data etc and created a sign on. All works well and thanks for the help.