Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface to play digital media files, organize your digital media collection, burn CDs of your favorite music, rip music from CDs, sync digital media files to a portable device, and shop for digital media content from online stores. Download WMP today!



Windows Media Player 12 is a free media player software that is pre-installed on most Windows computers. It has a simple and user-friendly interface and supports a wide range of audio and video formats.

It also provides basic features like playlists, playback controls, and equalizer. The player also integrates with other Microsoft software, such as Windows Media Center, allowing for a seamless multimedia experience. However, its lack of advanced features like cross-platform compatibility and online media streaming may disappoint some users.

Streamlined playback modes

The Now Playing mode is a study in minimalism: It shows only the controls you need, so nothing comes between you and your music or video. A new taskbar thumbnail with playback controls makes previewing easier and more fun.

Highlights

Enjoy a comprehensive music library that lets you easily browse, play, and organize your music, including the ability to create and manage playlists effortlessly.

It also offers full support for browsing, managing, and viewing your local video collection with ease.

Multitask seamlessly with the always-on-top mini player, allowing you to watch or listen to media while working on other tasks.

The dedicated playback view showcases album art and vibrant artist imagery, enhancing both the full-screen and mini player experiences.



FAQ

Is Windows Media Player still available?

Yes, Windows Media Player is still available for Windows operating systems. However, it is not available for the latest version of Windows, Windows 10, and has been replaced by the Movies & TV app. The Movies & TV app has similar functionality as WMP, but with a modern and updated design. If you are using an earlier version of Windows, you can still use Windows Media Player for playing audio and video files.

Can I reinstall Windows Media Player?

Yes, you can reinstall Windows Media Player on Windows operating systems where it has been removed or is not included by default.

If you are using Windows 10, you can download the Windows Media Feature Pack from the Microsoft website to add Windows Media Player back to your system.

If you are using an earlier version of Windows, you can reinstall this program by turning it on or off in the Windows Features section of the Control Panel.

It is important to note that Windows Media Player may not be available for all versions of Windows and some features may be limited or unavailable in certain operating systems.

Features

Simplicity In Design
Bring a whole new look to your digital entertainment.

More of the Music You Love
Breathe new life into your digital music experience.

All Your Entertainment in One Place
Store and enjoy all of your music, videos, pictures, and recorded TV.

Enjoy Everywhere
Stay connected with your music, video, and pictures no matter where you are.



How to Install/Upgrade

• Click the Start button, type features, and then select Turn Windows features on or off.
• Expand Media Features and see whether the WMP check box is selected. If it is, clear the check box.
• Click OK and then restart your PC. This will remove your current version of this software.
• After your PC has restarted, repeat step 1.
• Expand Media Features and select the Windows Media Player check box.
• Click OK and then restart your PC.

Windows Media Player 12 is included in clean installs of Windows 10 as well as upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7. DVD playback isn't included in Windows 10 or Windows 8.1.

What's New in Latest Version

• Replaces Groove Music: Your existing music library and playlists are seamlessly transferred, alongside an array of new features.
• Full Video Support: The player now allows you to browse, manage, and watch your local video collection. Videos in your PC's Video library will automatically appear, and you can also customize where to search for additional videos through app settings.
• Enhanced Playback View: Enjoy album art and artist imagery, which are displayed in both full-screen and mini-player modes.
• Accessibility Improvements: The player is optimized for keyboard shortcuts, access keys, and other assistive technologies.
• Drag-and-Drop Support: You can easily drag files into the app to play them instantly or add them to your Play queue.
• Automatic Codec Installation: If a file requires an additional codec from the Microsoft Store, it will assist with its installation.
• Playback Speed Control: Adjust the speed of both audio and video files according to your preference.
• 9-Band Equalizer: Fine-tune your music and video audio with a customizable 9-band equalizer.
• Customization Options: Personalize the app by selecting your preferred theme and accent color settings.

Enjoy an enhanced multimedia experience with these exciting new features!

Alternatives

If you are looking for alternatives, we recommend you to download VLC Media Player or KMPlayer.

PROS

• Simple and user-friendly interface
• Wide format compatibility
• Customizable skins and visualizations
• Built-in CD ripping and burning
• Low resource usage

CONS

• Limited codec support for rare formats
• No built-in support for streaming services
• Outdated design compared to competitors
• Lacks advanced media management features
• Few updates and development stagnation