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AutoPlay is a Windows® feature that automatically plays media content inserted into a drive or connected to a computer. It suggests programs to play files and allows users to select a program for future use. It was introduced in Windows XP® to make media playback easier. It is similar to AutoRun, which automatically runs a program or executable found on a disc or other medium. Some users prefer to manually select the program and files they want to play.
AutoPlay is a feature found in Windows® operating systems (OS) starting with Windows XP® that allows media content inserted into a drive or connected to a computer to play automatically. This feature typically creates a window asking if a person would like to use a particular program to play files on a disc that has been inserted into a drive. The options provided usually depend on the types of files on the disk or device connected to the computer. AutoPlay also allows the user to indicate that all similar media in the future should also be opened using the selected program.
First created with Windows XP®, the AutoPlay feature was designed and implemented to make media playback easier for computer users. Prior to this addition, whenever a compact disc (CD) or similar medium was inserted into a disk drive, the user had to select that drive and tell the system what he wanted to do with it. With the advent of AutoPlay, however, the operating system will search inserted media to determine what file types there are, then recommend or use any appropriate program to play those files.
For example, if a CD containing music files is inserted into a computer with an appropriate Windows® operating system, the operating system will detect those music files on the disc. An AutoPlay window will then appear indicating the appropriate program to use to play those music files, typically Windows Media Player®. The user can then easily choose to play the music through that program. A computer user can also indicate that in the future, whenever a similar disc with music files is inserted into the computer, he should use AutoPlay to play those files through that program without any further prompts.
It is somewhat similar to AutoRun, a feature introduced in previous versions of the Windows® operating system that automatically runs a program or executable found on a disc or other medium accessible by your computer. AutoRun is typically used to find executable files on an installation disc for a new program and start the installation procedure automatically to make the process easier for users. While many computer users appreciate the ease of AutoPlay, there are also users who prefer to be able to manually select the program and files they want to play. Since AutoPlay opens in a separate window, it is usually easy enough to simply close the window and then directly access the files on the media to play them as the user sees fit.
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