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Helps play audio and video files on older editions of Windows

Helps play audio and video files on older editions of Windows

Vote: (3,351 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Version: 11.0.5721.5262

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(3,351 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Microsoft Corporation

11.0.5721.5262

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Tabs make concentrating on and switching between tasks easier.
  • Media guide helps you search for and purchase new music.
  • Provides a way for you to import music from existing CDs and save track information.
  • Mini player stays on top of other windows and allows you to control the most essential functions without crowding your desktop.
  • Ability to listen to internet radio stations to find broadcasts around the world.

Cons

  • Album art can take a significant amount of time to update on large libraries.
  • Manually searching for ID3 tags can take a significant amount of time.
  • Not compatible with Apple devices such as the iPod and iPhone.
  • Only available for genuine Windows users.
  • Doesn't have many built-in keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 provides a simple, streamlined interface to make accessing your music library a visually stunning and efficient experience. The player provides options to burn your favorite CD recordings, sync digital media to mobile media devices, shop for content online, and rip music from your CD collection. The program gives you all of the tools you need to fully immerse yourself in and enjoy your music.

Windows Media Player 11 is included with the Windows XP and Vista operating systems. Users must have a genuine copy of Windows and go through the verification process to be eligible. Upon initial installation, you must conduct a search for media content on your system. The program allows you to search through a list of recommended folders for media, choose the folders you want to search, or search the entire computer system. Once you add the files to your library, you can then use the online database to automatically find album information for many recordings.

The media library provides a five-star rating system that you can use to label your favorite music and quickly search for it in the future. The library is built for use with a mouse or track pad. It doesn't provide the option to use many keyboard-based commands, so if you prefer to use the keyboard your navigation and ability to locate information will be slowed. You don't need to copy files to the library; instead, the library keeps track of where each song exists on the computer. If you move any content on your computer, then the file may show up as missing in the library. Running another search typically corrects the issue.

Windows Media Player 11 also allows you to play many types of online content and streaming media. Even if you don't use the library, installing the media library on your system makes it possible to stream .WMV files and other proprietary Windows library formats. The front and back arrow buttons in the library make it possible to flip through albums and use a visual search to find the content you want to play. You can also sign up for commercial video and music stores to locate content online and compare prices within the media player.

Pros

  • Tabs make concentrating on and switching between tasks easier.
  • Media guide helps you search for and purchase new music.
  • Provides a way for you to import music from existing CDs and save track information.
  • Mini player stays on top of other windows and allows you to control the most essential functions without crowding your desktop.
  • Ability to listen to internet radio stations to find broadcasts around the world.

Cons

  • Album art can take a significant amount of time to update on large libraries.
  • Manually searching for ID3 tags can take a significant amount of time.
  • Not compatible with Apple devices such as the iPod and iPhone.
  • Only available for genuine Windows users.
  • Doesn't have many built-in keyboard shortcuts.