iPod and Windows Autoplay

Article

iPod and Windows Autoplay

Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

Q: Ever since I upgraded from iTunes 7.2 to 7.4.3.1, whenever I plug in my iPod, a Windows Explorer window pops up, treating the iPod as an external drive. However, I have “enable disk use” unchecked in iTunes. This never happened in earlier versions of iTunes. What gives? Is there anything I can do to prevent this minor annoyance?

- Ron

A: This is actually a function of the “Autoplay” feature in Windows XP. Essentially, Windows XP will scan any removable media device when you first connect it, and automatically offer you some options in relation to the content which it finds on that device:

If this is the first time that a particular removable disk has been connected, you should normally receive a list of options, as shown above. However, if you have previously selected an option, such as opening Windows Explorer to view the files on the device, Windows will remember that setting the next time you connect that device and simply perform that operation without prompting you again.

The issue here is that regardless of the actual “Enable Disk Use” setting, the iPod will always appear to the underlying operating system as an external disk drive. In fact, this is how iTunes itself communicates with the iPod—it simply writes the files to the disk drive and updates the database, using normal Windows file system calls.

Of course, when you connect your iPod, Windows also sees a removable disk drive having been connected, and wants to do something with this as well. The iTunesHelper service that runs in the background normally intercepts this call and prevents any Windows popups from appearing, but this does not always work consistently across all versions.

The simplest solution is to connect the iPod and enable disk use (so it remains connected after iTunes finishes syncing), and then access the iPod via Windows Explorer, right-click on the drive letter represented by the iPod, and choose Properties. The “Autoplay” tab will display the current preferences.

Simply select “Take no action” from the “Selection an action to perform” list, and click “OK” to save the setting. This should prevent any dialog box from opening in the future when the iPod is connected.

If this setting is not available, or still fails to resolve the problem, you may also want to download and run the Microsoft Autoplay Repair Wizard and run it to repair any corrupted Autoplay settings that may be present in your Windows registry.

The most asked question at iLounge.com:

How do I copy content from my iPod/iPhone onto my computer?

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, Apple TV and iPhone Video Formats

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Mac)

Converting DVDs, web video, TV shows and more:

The Complete Guide to iPod, iPhone and Apple TV Video Conversion (Win)

Best Speakers?

Best Headphones?

Best Case?

Best In-Car Solution?

Best Battery Extender?

Find more answers in the latest publications in our Library. Free downloads developed by the editors of iLounge!

Ask iLounge Archives:

5-23-13: Costs associated with using FaceTime

5-22-13: iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage

5-21-13: Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode

5-17-13: Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore

5-16-13: Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone

View the complete Ask iLounge archives...

« iPod touch power and sleep modes

3G iPod car audio compatibility »

Comments

If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.

Recent Reviews

New Deals

Shop for Accessories: Cases, speakers, chargers, etc.

iLounge

Article