Where Is Windows Media Player in Windows 10?

Windows Media Player has been a staple media player for Windows operating systems for many years. However, starting with Windows 8, Microsoft made changes to the default media player included with the operating system. In Windows 10, Microsoft introduced the "Movies & TV" app as the default media player, which replaced Windows Media Player.

Now, let’s discuss where you can find Windows Media Player on Windows 10:

1. Start Menu Search: You can search for Windows Media Player by typing its name in the search bar located on the Windows taskbar. Simply click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen or press the Windows key on your keyboard, then start typing "Windows Media Player." The search results should display the app, and you can click on it to launch it.

2. Windows Accessories: Another way to find Windows Media Player is through the Windows Accessories folder. Open the Start Menu and scroll down the list of installed apps until you find the "Windows Accessories" folder. Click on it to expand the folder, and you should see Windows Media Player listed among other built-in Windows utilities. Click on Windows Media Player to open it.

3. File Associations: If you’re trying to open a specific file type and would like to use Windows Media Player as the default program, you can set it as the default media player in Windows 10. To do this, right-click on the file, select "Open with," and choose "Choose another app." From the list of available apps, you should see Windows Media Player. Check the box that says "Always use this app to open .xyz files" (replace ".xyz" with the appropriate file extension), and click "OK."

4. Optional Feature: It’s worth noting that Microsoft has made Windows Media Player an optional feature in recent Windows 10 versions. If the app is not installed on your system, you can add it through the "Manage optional features" setting. To do this, open the Settings app, go to "Apps," and then select "Optional features" from the left-hand menu. Click on "Add a feature," scroll down to find Windows Media Player, and click on it to install.

Please note that Microsoft may continue to evolve its default media players over time. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to check for the latest updates or changes directly from Microsoft’s official sources if you encounter any difficulties finding or using a specific media player on Windows 10.

Video Tutorial:What replaced Media Player in Windows 10?

Does Windows still have a Media Player?

Yes, Windows still has a built-in media player called Windows Media Player. Here are some reasons why Windows Media Player continues to be available:

1. Legacy support: Windows Media Player has been a part of Windows operating systems for many years, and it has become a familiar and widely-used application for playing media files. Microsoft has kept it available to ensure compatibility with older media formats and to support users who are accustomed to using it.

2. Broad format support: Windows Media Player supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including popular ones like MP3, WAV, WMA, MPEG, AVI, and WMV. This allows users to play various types of media files without the need for additional software.

3. Integration with Windows: Windows Media Player is tightly integrated with the Windows operating system, making it a convenient choice for many users. It has features such as easy navigation through the library, playlist creation, and CD ripping. The integration also extends to other Windows features like the taskbar mini-player and Windows Media Center.

4. Windows 10 functionality: Although Microsoft has introduced the newer Groove Music app as the default media player in Windows 10, Windows Media Player is still available for users who prefer its interface and features. It can be easily installed and used alongside the newer Groove Music app or any other third-party media players.

5. Network streaming capabilities: Windows Media Player supports streaming media from DLNA-compatible devices, making it useful for home network setups. Users can stream media files from their computer to other devices like smart TVs, gaming consoles, or media streaming devices.

In conclusion, despite the availability of other media players and the introduction of newer default apps in Windows, Microsoft has kept Windows Media Player included in its operating systems due to its legacy support, broad format compatibility, integration with Windows, and network streaming capabilities.

Is there any default media player in Windows 10?

Yes, Windows 10 comes with a default media player called Windows Media Player. This pre-installed media player allows users to play various audio and video file formats. It offers basic playback controls, such as play, pause, stop, forward, and rewind, as well as the ability to create playlists and manage media libraries. Windows Media Player also supports ripping audio CDs and burning audio or data CDs and DVDs.

Here are steps to open Windows Media Player in Windows 10:

1. Click on the "Start" button, usually located at the bottom left corner of the screen.
2. Type "Windows Media Player" in the search bar.
3. Click on the "Windows Media Player" app from the search results. It usually appears at the top of the list.
4. Windows Media Player will open, and you can start using it to play your media files.

While Windows Media Player is the default media player in Windows 10, users can also choose alternative media players available from third-party developers, such as VLC media player or Media Player Classic, which offer additional features and support for a wider range of file formats.

How do you reset Windows Media Player?

To reset Windows Media Player, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Close Windows Media Player if it is currently running on your system. You can do this by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager. Look for "wmplayer.exe" under the Processes tab and click on "End Task" to close it.

Step 2: Open the Control Panel on your computer. You can search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar or access it from the Start menu.

Step 3: Within the Control Panel, navigate to the "Programs" or "Programs and Features" section. The name of this section may vary depending on the version of Windows you are using.

Step 4: In the Programs section, click on "Turn Windows features on or off." This will open a dialog box displaying a list of Windows features that can be turned on or off.

Step 5: Scroll down the list until you find "Media Features." Expand this category and uncheck the box next to "Windows Media Player."

Step 6: Click on "OK" to confirm the changes and allow Windows to apply them. This will uninstall Windows Media Player from your system.

Step 7: After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Step 8: To reinstall Windows Media Player, return to the "Turn Windows features on or off" dialog box within the Control Panel.

Step 9: Scroll down to "Media Features" again and check the box next to "Windows Media Player."

Step 10: Click on "OK" to begin the reinstallation process. Windows will reinstall Windows Media Player on your computer.

Once the reinstallation is complete, you can launch Windows Media Player and it should be reset to its default settings. Keep in mind that any personalizations and customized settings you made previously will be lost after the reset.

How do I reinstall Windows Media Player on Windows 10?

To reinstall Windows Media Player on Windows 10, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the "Settings" app on your Windows 10 device. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I or by clicking on the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.

2. In the Settings app, click on "Apps."

3. In the left sidebar, click on "Apps & features."

4. On the right-hand side, scroll down and click on "Optional features."

5. Under Optional features, click on "Add a feature."

6. In the list of available features, locate "Windows Media Player" and click on it. Then, click on the "Install" button.

7. Windows will initiate the installation process and reinstall Windows Media Player on your system.

8. Wait for the installation to complete, and once finished, you can close the Settings app.

9. After the reinstallation, you should be able to find and use Windows Media Player by searching for it in the Start menu or by locating it in the list of installed apps.

Note: In some cases, Windows Media Player may be listed as a "Windows Feature" instead of "Optional feature." If that’s the case, you can find it by following the same steps, but instead of clicking on "Optional features," click on "Windows Features" in the Apps & features section.

Please keep in mind that Windows Media Player may not be available for certain editions of Windows 10, such as Windows 10 N or Windows 10 KN. In such cases, I recommend using alternative media players available for download online, such as VLC media player, that offer similar functionality.

Where has my Windows Media Player gone?

As a tech blogger, it’s not uncommon for Windows Media Player to go missing. There can be several reasons for this, and here are a few steps you can take to find out where it has gone:

1. Check the Start Menu: Start by clicking on the Start button and searching for "Windows Media Player" in the search bar. If it appears in the search results, you can simply click on it to open the application.

2. Look in the "Programs" Folder: If you can’t find Windows Media Player in the Start Menu, it’s worth checking if the program shortcut is still present in the "Programs" folder. Open the File Explorer and navigate to the following directory: C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player. If you find the application file here (wmplayer.exe), you can create a shortcut on your desktop or pin it to the Start Menu for easy access.

3. Use Windows Features: Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu, then click on "Programs" followed by "Turn Windows features on or off." A list of Windows features will appear, including Windows Media Player. Ensure that the checkbox next to it is checked. If it’s not, check the box, click "OK," and wait for Windows to enable the feature. Restart your computer, and Windows Media Player should be available again.

4. Reinstall Windows Media Player: If none of the above steps work, it’s possible that Windows Media Player is missing or corrupted. In that case, you may need to reinstall it. To do this, open the Control Panel, go to "Programs," and click on "Turn Windows features on or off" as mentioned in step 3. Uncheck the box next to Windows Media Player, click "OK," then restart your computer. After the restart, repeat the same steps, but this time, check the box next to Windows Media Player and click "OK" to reinstall it. Restart your computer once more, and the application should be accessible again.

Remember that the steps provided assume a relatively up-to-date version of Windows. If you’re using an older version, the steps may differ slightly. It’s always a good idea to check official Microsoft documentation or consult their support forums for specific instructions based on your Windows version.

In conclusion, if you find your Windows Media Player missing, start by searching for it in the Start Menu, checking the "Programs" folder, and making sure it is enabled in the Windows Features. If all else fails, consider reinstalling the application following the steps provided.

How do I put the Windows Media Player icon on my desktop?

To put the Windows Media Player icon on your desktop, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Start Menu
Click on the Start button located at the bottom left corner of your screen. This will open the Start Menu.

Step 2: Locate Windows Media Player
In the Start Menu, scroll through the list of applications until you find the folder named "Windows Accessories." Click on it to expand the folder.

Step 3: Drag and Drop
Within the "Windows Accessories" folder, locate the Windows Media Player application. Click and hold on the Windows Media Player icon, and then drag it to your desktop.

Step 4: Release the Mouse Button
Once you have dragged the Windows Media Player icon to your desktop, release the mouse button. The icon should now be placed on your desktop.

That’s it! You have successfully placed the Windows Media Player icon on your desktop. Now you can conveniently access it whenever you want by simply clicking on the icon.