Installing Windows Media Player
Resolve issues that you may encounter while setting up Windows Media Player.
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Why do I get the message, "This version of Windows Media Technologies is incompatible with this version of Windows" when I try to install the Player?
If Windows Media Format 11 Runtime is listed in Control Panel under Add or Remove Programs, you will receive this error. You must uninstall Windows Media Format 11 Runtime before you can install Windows Media Player 10. If Windows Media Format 11 Runtime is not installed on your computer, there might be a problem with one or more of your system files. Try running the System File Checker tool to scan and restore missing or damaged system files, and then run Windows Media Player Setup again.
To run System File Checker, do the following:
1. | Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Command Prompt. |
2. | In the Command Prompt window, type Sfc /scannow. For example: C:\Documents and Settings\username>Sfc /scannow |
For more information about the System File Checker tool, see article 310747, "Description of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 System File Checker (Sfc.exe)," in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Why do I get the message, "It was not possible to complete Setup" when I try to install the Player?
This error is often caused when Windows Media Player Setup can't write files to a directory on your computer, which can happen if you're not logged on as an administrator. For more information about user accounts, see Windows Help and Support.
If you're logged on as an administrator, the error can occur if the Administrator's group doesn't have write permissions to the directory SystemDrive\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents. Change permissions for the Administrators group, and then run Setup again.
To change permissions, do the following:
1. | Right-click the Documents folder in SystemDrive\Documents and Settings\All Users, and then click Properties. |
2. | In the Documents Properties dialog box, click the Security tab. |
3. | In the Group or user names box, click Administrators. |
4. | In the Permissions for Administrators box, make sure the Allow box is checked for Full Control. |
5. | Click the OK button, and then run Player Setup. |
How can I turn off the message that keeps telling me a more recent version of the Player is available?
You can turn off the Automatic updates feature in the Player by configuring a registry setting. For more information, see article 278960, "How to disable Automatic Updates with Windows Media Player," in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
When I try to install Windows Media Player 9 Series, I get a message that says I need to install fix Q290700. Where can I get this fix?
Q290700 is a fix for the System Restore feature in Windows Millennium Edition. For more information about the issue, and to obtain the fix, see article 290700, "Checkpoints that you create after September 8, 2001 do not restore your computer," in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Why do I get the message, "Windows Media.sitx does not appear to be compressed or encoded" when I try to install Windows Media Player 9 for MAC OS X?
You need a more recent version of StuffIt Expander, which decompresses the file. For more information, see the Windows Media Player 9 for MAC OS X Web page.
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.