Windows 8 : Managing Installed and Running Programs (part 3) - Configuring AutoPlay Options, Adding and Removing Windows Features

Configuring AutoPlay Options

In Windows 8, AutoPlay options determine how Windows handles files on CDs, DVDs, and portable devices. You can configure separate AutoPlay options for each type of CD, DVD, and other media your computer can handle by following these steps:

1. In Control Panel, tap or click Programs. Tap or click Default Programs, and then tap or click Change AutoPlay Settings. This displays the AutoPlay page in Control Panel.

2. As shown in Figure 4, use the media selection list to set the default AutoPlay option for each media type.

   For removable drives (USB memory sticks, etc.), you can specify an overall default or a default for each media type. To specify an overall default, clear the Choose What To Do check box and then select a preferred default. To specify individual defaults, select the Choose What To Do check box and then select a default action for each media type.

   

   Figure 4. Set AutoPlay options for CDs, DVDs, and portable devices.

3. Tap or click Save to save your settings.

Adding and Removing Windows Features

In Windows XP and earlier versions of Windows, you use the Add/Remove Windows Components option of the Add Or Remove Programs utility to add or remove operating system components. Currently, operating system components are considered Windows features that can be turned on or off rather than added or removed.

You can turn on or off Windows features by following these steps:

1. In Control Panel, tap or click Programs. Under Programs And Features, tap or click Turn Windows Features On Or Off. This displays the Windows Features dialog box.

2. As shown in Figure 5, select the check boxes for features to turn them on, or clear the check boxes for features to turn them off.

   

   Figure 5. Add or remove operating system components.

3. Tap or click OK, and Windows 8 reconfigures components to reflect any changes you made.