This article describes how to disable the feature that allows CD-ROMs and audio compact discs (CDs) to run automatically when you insert them in your CR-ROM drive.

How to Disable the Feature That Allows CD-ROMs and Audio CDs to Run Automatically

To disable the feature that allows CD-ROMs and audio CDs to run automatically:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2. Double-click the CDROM branch on the Device Manager tab, and then double-click the entry for your CD-ROM drive.
3. On the Settings tab, click to clear the Auto Insert Notification check box.
4. Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.

How to Disable Only the Feature That Allows Audio CDs to Run Automatically

Use either of the following methods to disable only the feature that allows audio CDs to run automatically.

Method 1

1. Double-click the My Computer icon on your Desktop.
2. On the View menu, click Options.
3. On the File Types tab, click AudioCD in the Registered File Types box, and then click Edit.
4. Click Set Default, click Close, and then click Close.

If audio CDs do not play automatically when you use these steps, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
2. On the Device Manager tab, double-click CD-ROM, and then double-click the entry for your CD-ROM.
3. On the Settings tab, click to select the Auto Insert Notification check box.
4. Click OK, click Close, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.

Method 2

Press and hold the SHIFT key as you insert the audio CD in your CD-ROM drive.

Notes

• If you are trying to play an audio CD with Windows CD Player and you insert a second audio CD in another CD-ROM drive, the first audio CD stops playing, Windows CD Player restarts, and then Windows CD Player plays the second audio CD that you inserted into your CD-ROM drive. This behavior occurs only if both CD-ROM drives are using a Windows protected-mode driver and you have the Auto Insert Notification feature enabled.

CD-ROMs that contain an Autorun.inf file are played automatically when you insert them in your CD-ROM drive. The Cdvsd.vxd driver polls repeatedly to detect the presence of a CD-ROM. When a CD-ROM is detected, Windows is notified that a new volume is available and the drive is checked for an Autorun.inf file. If found, programs that are listed on the open= line in the [AUTORUN] section are run.

If the volume is determined to be an audio CD, Windows performs the default action, if any, that is associated with that file type. "Play" is the default action for the audio CD file type.
Windows does not play CD-ROMs automatically if you are using only real-mode CD-ROM drivers. Protected-mode drivers are required to play CD-ROMs automatically when you insert them in your CD-ROM drive.