dang windows media player

[bmah]

I really don't know if anyone knows the answer to my problem, but it's worth a shot asking.

My OS is Windows Vista. The problem is that every time I insert something into one of my computer's ports, whether it be a flash drive/external hard drive, a printer, my camera, or inserting an SD card into its slot, Windows Media Player automatically opens up. Everything functions normally, but WMP also seems to want to associate itself with any external device that the computer recognizes. It's completely unrelated and senseless for WMP to do that.

Sooo, does anyone know what's wrong? Is it some wacky registry file that's mistakenly associating WMP with any external device the computer recognizes?


edit: Windows Media Player will also open once you remove the external device from your computer. Basically, any recognition of a new external device, whether it's adding or removing it, will cause WMP to open up automatically.

edit 2: AutoPlay settings in the Control Panel should make WMP heed to certain protocols, but WMP completely ignores this and still opens up. That's why I think this is some buggy issue instead.

[FissionMailed1]

Re: dang windows media player

Surfed Google for a bit and found http://forums.techguy.org/4442509-post2.html. You can access the registry editor by typing "regedit" in the "run" textbox.

[Izzy]

Re: dang windows media player

It's time to reinstall windows from an upgrade to win8.

[Gundam-Dude]

Re: dang windows media player

Have you tried going to:
Control Panel -> Default Programs -> Change AutoPlay settings

I believe you should be able to fix that through this menu. I'll assume you've already thoroughly dug through WMP's options so that's all I can really suggest.

[bmah]

Re: dang windows media player

edit 2: AutoPlay settings in the Control Panel should make WMP heed to certain protocols, but WMP completely ignores this and still opens up. That's why I think this is some buggy issue instead.

nope

Surfed Google for a bit and found http://forums.techguy.org/4442509-post2.html. You can access the registry editor by typing "regedit" in the "run" textbox.

CDAutoplay key doesn't exist (I use WMP 11)

[Oni-Paranoia]

Re: dang windows media player

If a program isn't running, then a protocol shouldn't be followed. Try typing in msconfig at the bottom of the start menu. Then click the startup and services tabs. Check if WMP is unchecked in those locations. This won't solve the problem, but it might prevent the issue from happening as long as you don't open WMP.

Also check Task Manager if it's running constantly. I've had a similar issue with another program a few years back.

[ELRayford]

Re: dang windows media player

Uninstalling WMP will fix this problem. If you like WMP you can try re-installing it after removing it. If the issue returns I can look into it more.

[bmah]

Re: dang windows media player

Except it's not that easy to uninstall WMP since it's a default program that came with the OS. I don't really know the dangers of trying to uninstall a default program (nor do I know how).

@oni-paranoia: will try that.

[ELRayford]

Re: dang windows media player

It is actually very easy. However, I do not suggest it due to your reply. lol. A more comforting solution would be to run a windows repair or just flat out reinstall vista/upgrade to 7/8.

You can try the following:

This one should be the winner.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6783019_disa...ia-player.html

Also try this:

Similar to Onis suggestion
Click 'Start' >Type Services in the search box
Click 'Services' with the gear icon
On the left, find the service for (Windows Media Player)
Double-click the service, and change the startup type from Automatic to Manual.

Another:
System restore back to before the problem started if it is a registry issue might correct it.

Last thing before reload OS
http://www.ehow.com/how_6001307_rest...-settings.html

[bmah]

Re: dang windows media player

just flat out reinstall vista/upgrade to 7/8.

Most likely the solution to this.

This one should be the winner.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6783019_disa...ia-player.html

Well unfortunately my OS never came with a group policy editor in the first place.

Similar to Onis suggestion
Click 'Start' >Type Services in the search box
Click 'Services' with the gear icon
On the left, find the service for (Windows Media Player)
Double-click the service, and change the startup type from Automatic to Manual.

WMP never shows up as a service.

Another:
System restore back to before the problem started if it is a registry issue might correct it.

Possibly. I honestly don't even remember when it started, haha.

Last thing before reload OS
http://www.ehow.com/how_6001307_rest...-settings.html

Instructions assume that you have WMP 11 as a program listed in your list of add/remove programs, but that's not the case.

If a program isn't running, then a protocol shouldn't be followed. Try typing in msconfig at the bottom of the start menu. Then click the startup and services tabs. Check if WMP is unchecked in those locations. This won't solve the problem, but it might prevent the issue from happening as long as you don't open WMP.

Like previously mentioned, WMP isn't a listed service anywhere.

Also check Task Manager if it's running constantly. I've had a similar issue with another program a few years back.

Fortunately it isn't constantly running. I'll probably end up installing Windows 7 or 8 if I don't get a new laptop by then. Thanks for your assistance though!