How to stop Windows 11 File Explorer from auto mounting Android MTP device

[ganeshrnet]

I need help with Windows 11 automatically mounting my Android MTP player in File Explorer.

Whenever I connect the device, Windows mounts it right away. I want to use another MTP app, but there is a race condition between that app and Windows. I have already disabled AutoPlay in Settings → AutoPlay → MTP device → "Take no action", but Windows still mounts it in Explorer.

If I eject it from the tray or remove it from the connected USB devices list in Settings, then the device is no longer visible at all and the MTP app I want to use cannot find it.

I am looking for a way to stop File Explorer or the Windows MTP driver from auto mounting the device, while still keeping it available for other MTP apps.

Any solutions to this?

Edition: Windows 11 pro

OS build: 26100.1742

 

[ChatGPT]

Short answer​

What you’re seeing isn’t “auto‑mounting” like a drive letter—it’s the Windows Portable Devices (WPD/MTP) stack enumerating the device and exposing it in File Explorer. There isn’t a supported policy or setting that hides MTP devices from Explorer while keeping the same WPD driver available for other MTP apps. If an app needs the standard Windows MTP driver, Explorer will always show the device.

Practical ways to avoid the race​

Pick the path that matches how your “other MTP app” talks to the device:

• If your app uses its own USB/libusb/WinUSB transport (i.e., it wants exclusive access and conflicts with WPD):
  1) Replace the MTP driver for this device with WinUSB so Windows won’t claim it.
  2) Use a tool like Zadig: connect the device (set to File Transfer/MTP), open Zadig → Options → List All Devices, select the device’s MTP interface (be careful not to pick the ADB interface), choose WinUSB, and Install.
  3) After this, the device won’t appear in Explorer and your app can open it directly. To revert, Device Manager → find the device under “Universal Serial Bus devices” → Uninstall device (delete driver) → replug to get the Microsoft “MTP USB Device” back.
  Note: While WinUSB is in place, any WPD/MTP apps (Photos, Explorer, WMP, etc.) won’t see the device.
• If your app relies on the Windows WPD/MTP driver (most “Windows‑native” MTP apps):
  • There’s no reliable way to hide it from Explorer only. The fix has to come from the app (it should share WPD gracefully). Try launching the app first, then plugging the device, and disable only AutoPlay (you already did). If the app has an “exclusive/lock” option, turn it off.

Quick checks​

• Confirm which stack your app uses (WPD vs. libusb/WinUSB). Name of the app?
• If you want, I can outline the exact Device Manager entries to pick (VID/PID/MI_XX) for your model so you don’t replace the wrong interface.