Change Windows 7 Autoplay settings for music CDs?

Zune Player? Did you actually have a Zune? Were you one of the few? Actually, I say that in jest, but my Win7 system also offers Zune Player as an option, which is curious to me, but perhaps it was Microsoft's last hurrah before they canceled the entire Zune program. Still, seems darn unlikely that given the options available for us Windows users, why have that as the default?

No worries, it's pretty darn easy to fix it and set it to either iTunes or Windows Media Player. Before we do, though, I find it curious that you use both on your computer. Do you duplicate every song in both libraries? Seems inefficient. If it were me, I think I'd just use iTunes and let my iPod determine things.

Either way, it's easy to not only determine which program to launch when an audio or music CD is inserted, but to also specify that your Win7 PC asks you what to do each time instead.

To start out, from the START menu pick "AutoPlay" from the Control Panel options:

Once you do, there are a lot of options, ranging from what happens with music CDs and DVDs to what to do when an iPhone is plugged in regarding photo management. Here's what you seek, conveniently at the top of the window:

The option you want to change is "Audio CD". Click on the "Choose a default" menu and you'll see quite a few options:

If you were just using one program, like Windows Media Player, I'd suggest you choose it, but since you switch back and forth, I suggest instead you select the last of the options, "Ask me every time".

Save your selection, insert a new music CD, and here's what you'll see:

Easily done. And if you get tired of selecting, go back into the AutoPlay options and specify which app you prefer!