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10 Tech How-To

Disable Autoplay Videos in Microsoft Store on Windows 11

Guide 10-39306 · Updated · Step by step

If promotional videos start playing as you browse the Microsoft Store in Windows 11, you can turn off their automatic playback in the Store’s settings. The change applies to previews in the Store and does not disable video playback in other Windows apps or websites.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 11 PC with the Microsoft Store app installed.
  • An internet connection may be needed to open the Store and load its settings, but you do not need administrator access.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Microsoft Store. Select the Store icon on the taskbar or open Start, type Microsoft Store, and select the app in the results. Check that you have opened the Store app, rather than a web page about an app.
  2. Open the Store settings. In the Store window, select your profile picture or profile icon near the top-right corner. Choose Settings from the menu. If the window is narrow, maximize it or look for the profile control at the top-right.
  3. Find the video playback option. Look for a setting named Video autoplay or Autoplay videos. The exact wording and layout can vary with Store updates. It is generally in the Store’s settings page, not in Windows Settings.
  4. Turn autoplay off. Select the switch beside the autoplay option so it is off. A disabled switch may appear gray, but appearance can vary with your Windows theme. If the control is a drop-down rather than a switch, choose the option that disables automatic playback.
  5. Check the result. Return to the Store home page or open a listing that has a video preview. The video should no longer start automatically while you browse. If you still want to watch a preview, select its play control if one is available.

You normally do not need to restart Windows or sign out. The preference is a Microsoft Store setting, so changing it should take effect in the app without changing autoplay behavior in a browser, social app, or video player.

Common Mistakes

  • Changing a Windows-wide setting instead. Windows 11 does not provide one general autoplay switch that controls every video preview in every app. The setting you need is inside Microsoft Store.
  • Looking under Windows Settings. The Windows Settings app contains many system and app options, but Store video autoplay is controlled in the Store app’s own settings.
  • Confusing video autoplay with device autoplay. Windows settings for removable drives and memory cards concern actions such as opening files when a device is connected. They do not control promotional videos in Store listings.
  • Assuming a missing option means autoplay is already off. Store layouts and available settings may vary. First check that the Store app is up to date and that you are in its settings, rather than relying on a similarly named option elsewhere.
  • Expecting the change to affect other apps. Turning off Store previews does not necessarily stop videos from playing automatically in Edge, another browser, or a streaming app. Those apps have separate controls.

Tips

  • Use the profile menu as your starting point. In the Store app, the account or profile icon near the top-right is the usual route to settings. The icon may show your initials or a generic person symbol instead of a photo.
  • Update the Store if the setting is hard to find. Open Library in Microsoft Store and select Get updates, if that option is shown. After updates finish, close and reopen the Store and check Settings again.
  • Consider data and distraction. Preventing previews from starting can make browsing quieter and may reduce video data use, especially on a metered or limited connection. It does not stop the Store from loading other page content.
  • Remember where the preference lives. If you use more than one Windows PC, check the setting on each device rather than assuming it has been applied everywhere.

Troubleshooting

You cannot find Settings. Make sure the Store window is open and look for the profile icon at the top-right. If the app is in a compact window, maximize it. Select the profile icon and inspect its menu for Settings.

There is no autoplay option. Update Microsoft Store through its Library page, then close and reopen the app. If the setting still is not listed, your Store version or configuration may not offer a separate autoplay control. Do not change unrelated Windows autoplay settings; they are unlikely to affect Store videos.

The switch will not change or keeps reverting. Close the Store completely and reopen it, then try again. Check that Windows is online and that the Store is not still installing an update. If the device is managed by a school or workplace, an administrator’s policies may restrict some app settings; ask the administrator rather than trying to bypass those controls.

Videos still play after you turn the setting off. Confirm that the video is inside Microsoft Store and that the setting remains off. A video opened in a browser or another app uses that app’s own settings. Also try closing and reopening the Store, then test a different Store listing. Some page content may behave differently from an automatically starting preview.

The Store itself is not opening or responding. Restart the PC and try the Store again. If it remains unavailable, open Settings in Windows, select Apps, then Installed apps, find Microsoft Store, and open its advanced options if available. Try Repair first; use Reset only if needed, since resetting can clear local app data and may require you to sign in again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this turn off all videos in Microsoft Store?
It is intended to stop videos from starting automatically. If a preview has a play control, you may still be able to start it manually.

Will it stop autoplay in Microsoft Edge?
No. Edge has its own media and site controls. Change those separately if videos autoplay in the browser.

Do I need to sign in to change the setting?
Usually, no. You can generally open Store settings without signing in, though some Store features may ask you to use an account.

Will turning autoplay off uninstall or hide apps?
No. It changes video playback behavior in the Store; it does not remove apps, change purchases, or hide listings.

Why does my Store look different?
The Microsoft Store interface can change with updates and may vary by device or configuration. Look for the profile menu and a video autoplay control in Store settings.

Can I turn autoplay back on?
Yes. Return to the same Store setting and switch it on again, if the option is available in your version.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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