Solved Can't set Auto Play for SD Flash Memory Cards

TechnoMage

Active Member
Power User
Messages
710
Location
Central Florida
I have Windows 8.1 on several PC's, but only on this one PC do I NOT have Windows recognizing a SD camera card or flash drive, and opening up a window to allow me to see the card....
I have to go into My PC and click on the card, drive letter, to open it.

Evidently, I did something wrong on this one PC, but I don't know what it was.

Any help would be great!

:cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
To me, this PC is set right. Autoplay for memory cards is a security risk, and a serious one if these memory devices are ever used on other system not 100% of the time under your control, or if this computer is not 100% of the time under your control. You don't want someone (even you) sticking an infected memory card/flash drive into your computer and have it automatically play malware.

FTR, mine (with W10) behaves exactly as yours does. When I plug in a flash drive, I hear the little "dum ditty dum" jingle telling me a USB device just connected and then I have click on My PC and tell Windows what I want to do from there.

My recommendation is to leave it as it is.

That said, if nobody else EVER uses your computer, and these memory sticks are NEVER connected to other devices that are NEVER used by anyone else and you still want to change the settings, see if this tutorial helps. It's to disable Autoplay but the process is more or less the same to enable it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thanks for the response.

But, I'm on 8.1 and not 10..... the two OS's handle things a little different.
Of the eight PC's, both desktop and laptop, that I have running 8.1/32,
this desktop I'm on now is the only one that won't fully acknowledge a Flash Drive or SD card.

I AM the only user on this or any of my PC's and my SC card only goes from the camera to the PC,
and right back into the camera. Everything I plug into my PC gets automatically scaned for viruses and malware by my AV and AS software.
So there is NO security risk involved there.

Oh yes, I get the little sound effects when I plug in any USB device, but Windows just doesn't automatically open it up. I want that!!!
I need that!!! Either I or some software has screwed that up for me, and I want it Fixed!!!

My Windows XP always did that and I've just gotten used to it.

Thanks again,
TechnoMage :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
But, I'm on 8.1 and not 10..... the two OS's handle things a little different.
Right. I understand that and that's why I included the tutorial for W8.x. Was it not any help?

Note the dangers of autoplay are the same, or in reality, even more so with W8.x because W10 is inherently more secure. But since you are the only user and have total control over your devices, and you seem to have a handle on security and I assume you keep Windows updated, then I agree security should not be a problem here - as long as you remain disciplined in security awareness. Remember, security programs only react to known malware. A zero-day exploit can come along where your security program has yet to create a definition file to identify or stop it. So take care not to even allow a friend or relative to insert a flash drive into your systems.

Again, that tutorial should show you how to enable this. I might suggest you use the tutorial and compare settings between this computer and one of your other computers that does work the way you want and see if you can spot the setting(s) that is different.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
OK, now you're really going to hate me. By the way I'm not a nube.... I'm a professional Computer tech of 36 years.
But in fairness I did go through the Auto Play setup as outlined in the Tutorial, and my PC is all set up exactly like that.

Now, I have another PC with 8.1 on it, set up the same way, sitting right here within arm's length. When I insert either a SD card or a Flash Drive in that second PC, I hear the familiar chimes and a window opens right up on the desktop screen, with a listing of all the files in that device.
As stated, when I do that on my main PC, I get the chimes, but that's all..... nothing shows up on the screen. So something else is blocking that listing. It's like I've been infected by a Poltergeist. Or as "The Robot" used to say, "Will Robinson, that does not compute!"

I'm not quite down to the stage of hair pulling or wrist cutting, (yet) but I'd sure like to get this thing sorted out.

I've been doing some comparison troubleshooting and the only thing that this PC has that the others don't is AVG 2016 FREE.
I've gone through the Advanced Settings and I've seen nothing that pertains to Auto Play.
The other PCs I've tested are all running Windows Defender, and they all display the contents of the SD cards or Flash Drives when I plug them in.

The latest test was on a little HP Laptop, also running Windows Defender and it acknowledges the SD card as soon as it's put in and gives me a red banner in the upper right of the desktop, asking me what I want it to do with the card.... as I expected.

So the problem goes back to the one and only PC that's running AVG. I may just have to uninstall AVG on this PC to see if that solves the problem.

Unless, someone can come up with a registry tweak to re-enable Auto Play. ???

Cheers Mates!
TechnoMage :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
that one single SD card works in the other windows PC's no problem as in they show up explorer files as soon as you plug it in on one PC but then on the other PC your plug that same memory card in and all the sudden no file explorer pops up ? that is what you are saying right??

the only situation I've seen that is when I ran panda usb vaccine and it turned my autoplay off.. and I have not been able to resume it ever since.. I will tell you that..

this may not help you but may also give you some insight to how it can be turned off and maybe look into what something like panda vaccine usb does to turn it off.. ha.

But I haven't found out how to get my file explorer back either yet! I"m on win 8.1 x64
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
OK, now you're really going to hate me.
Never!

I'm a professional Computer tech of 36 years.
Then I will not hold your youthful lack of experience against you! ;) (45 years here!)

Do your other PCs (that work as you want them) have the same setup in terms of security software and other security settings?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
All the ones that work, run Windows Defender..... the one that didn't work ran AVG.

But, I solved the problem.... I saved all my data, etc, and then reinstalled Windows 8.1.
I'm doing it all on my backup hard drive, and once I get everything all set up the way I want it, I'll just clone this drive back to my SSD.
That should do the trick. Eh?

Thank y'all for your help.

Cheers mates!
TechnoMage :cool:
PS: Actually I started working on the BIG systems in 1964 at NCR..... but it wasn't till 1980 that I built my own PC and then started my own computer repair business. Even though I'm 72 and technically retired, I'm still running service calls. I'll probably die with a screwdriver in my hand. lol
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
Even though I'm 72 and technically retired, I'm still running service calls. I'll probably die with a screwdriver in my hand. lol
Then I bow to you sir! I'll be 64 before this month runs out and yeah, retired and still running service calls too. But it keeps the mind active.

Since reinstalling Windows, are you now running Windows Defender on this system too? Personally, I recommend you just keep WD and Windows Firewall. Then on occasion, run MBAM free just to make you didn't let something slip by. I gave up on 3rd party security apps for my primary security when Windows 7 came and I started used MSE (later renamed to Windows Defender in W8). Now I use Windows Defender and Windows firewall on my systems with no regrets, problems or bogged-down systems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Yeah, Windows Defender (WD) has grown up in the past few years and OS upgrades. It's now a fair to midlin' AV program. However not nearly the all encompassing PC protection program that AVG 2016 FREE is. AVG can scan email, both incoming and outgoing, and also run Rootkit scans and even scan external media.

However, MBam is not as good as many want to think it is. After running it, in the past, I've run other programs and found many bad things that MBam totally overlooked. The most valuable program I have and use right now, in addition to WD, is "Super Anti-Spyware" (FREE) as it gets rid of PUPs and Tracking Cookies, that other programs miss. I just ran it on a neighbors PC and it found and removed 1585 tracking cookies. !!! I'm still trying to get that person to run it at least once a week, like I do.

Malware Bytes has, however, come out with a new program called, "Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit" that looks promising. I'm also using and evaluating a new program called, "Anti-Keylogger". Both of the programs I just mentioned are light weight and don't bug the operator or load down the cpu, but they do add an additional, (FREE) layer of protection.

For many years now, I've said that "NO one program can totally protect any PC." So I've tried to put together a "Package" of security software that will keep any PC safe.

Cheers Mates!
TechnoMage :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
Windows Defender used to have on some system configurations, a huge bug that caused 100% disk usage.. remember that? It may still be around.. who knows! but I remember you had to uninstall MSE/Defender (or stop it) to do anything with your system..

having said that, I did experience that bug on an E-machine? and a Acer Aspire machine If my memory serves me..


and today, I use nothing but windows Defender and Binisoft Firewall. ha.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo g750
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Some Chinese Crap..
    Memory
    8
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 755
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I guess I could just mark this thread as "Solved" because with the re-installation of Windows 8.1, my problems with auto play and Windows Defender are no longer problems.

I did the re-install, to a spare Hard Drive, then after copying all my pertinent data from my main drive to the spare drive, I made a Ghost backup Image file of my spare drive, and then restored that file back to my SSD. I'm on that SSD now, and everything is working perfectly.

I'm sorry if I've taken up time and space on this forum, for nothing.

Cheers mates!
TechnoMage :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win-8.1/Pro/64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer X-1200
    CPU
    AMD 2 Core
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    Crucial, 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDEA GeForce 9200
    Sound Card
    On Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Acer
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk, SSD 500GB
    PSU
    Acer
    Case
    SFF Slimline
    Keyboard
    emachines 101 key
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    5 Meg
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Using Classic Shell on Win-8.1 /pro/64
TechnoMage said:
AVG can scan email, both incoming and outgoing, and also run Rootkit scans and even scan external media.
WD scans email. Not sure about outgoing specifically, but then again, I don't see the need. Why scan outgoing if everything coming into the computer has already been scanned, and everything currently running on the computer is being scanned in real time? That's just wasting resources. And WD does indeed scan for all known rootkits and scans external media too - all without hogging extra resources or bogging down our systems - a common complaint with AVG and other 3rd party apps. In fact, AVG used to be my preferred security "suite" but then W7 and MSE came out in 2009 and I switch and never looked back.

Interestingly, this just came out a couple days ago, Windows Defender Is Becoming the Powerful Antivirus That Windows 10 Needs. I note the following from the article,
Windows Defender, which comes pre-installed and enabled by default in both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, performs significantly better in antivirus tests than it did a couple of years ago and is now achieving better results than well-known security suites.

On Windows 10, however, Windows Defender really exceeded expectations. Microsoft’s default Windows antivirus received 4.5 points for protection, 5 points for performance, and 6 points for usability, ranking better than highly-praised security software such as F-Secure, Panda Security, ESET, and Comodo.

brooksndun said:
Windows Defender used to have on some system configurations, a huge bug that caused 100% disk usage

I remember you had to uninstall MSE/Defender (or stop it) to do anything with your system..
That 100% problem happened on only a very few systems, and was fixed. And that might have been with the "other" and older Windows Defender anyway - the anti-spyware only program as I don't recall hearing of that with the new WD. And I never had to uninstall or stop MSE or WD to do anything with my computers and never heard of that complaint either. Not saying you are wrong or that some folks didn't experience those problems. I am just saying those problems were not widespread as you suggest. In fact, MSE worked so well, that is one of the reasons why Microsoft decided to integrated it into Windows 8 after renaming it to Windows Defender and adding a couple enhancements.

The bottom line is Microsoft got tired of the relentless bashing they got over security for 10+ years since XP was released when it was badguys, not Microsoft that created the security mess we are in. And it was big corporations demanding legacy support and not advanced security. And it was users (always the weakest link) failing to keep their systems current and secure). This was perpetuated by the totally unexpected (by everybody - including the bashers) explosion in the expansion of broadband to the home. Not to mention Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro and the others crying and whining to Congress and the EU that MS was trying to rule the world (they were, but not the point) and that it was their job to rid the world of malware not Microsoft's.

So Microsoft was blocked, under threats of forced breakup, from including anti-virus code in XP like they wanted. And we see how well Norton and the gang did. :sarc: I mean, why should they? Norton, McAfee and the others have absolutely no incentive whatsoever to rid the world of malware - that will put them out of business.

But Microsoft has every incentive - they will stop getting blamed for something not their fault. So now Microsoft is putting security above everything else, including legacy hardware and software support and I applaud them for that. And I note that Congress and the EU are keeping mum about Microsoft including anti-malware code in Windows now too - because they know they were blinded (duped???) by Norton's claims of Microsoft trying to monopolize the world.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Back
Top