Protecting Your Privacy in Windows Media Player
Learn to use privacy settings and options in Windows and Windows Media Player, block pop-ups, and remove spyware to protect your privacy.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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How do I remove the list of files that I have recently played from the File menu in the Player?
In order to make it easier for you to find frequently played content, Windows Media Player keeps track of the local files and Web-based content that you have recently accessed. If you share your computer, you may not want others to see this information.
To clear the Recent File List
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Privacy tab, in the History area, click the Clear History button. |
There are two things you should note:
| • | When you click Clear History, the list of digital media files that you opened on the Internet is also cleared from the Open URL dialog box in Windows Media Player. However, other users may still be able to view these digital media files if they are stored in your Temporary Internet Files folder. For more information about deleting this content, see your Web browser Help. |
| • | Other users may still be able to see the list of files stored on your computer that you played in Windows Media Player in the My Recent Documents list in Windows. To learn how to clear this list, see the next question. |
Clicking Clear History doesn't prevent the history of files played and URLs visited in the future from being stored. You must clear the Save file and URL history in the Player check box in the Player.
To prevent the file and URL history from being saved and displayed
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Privacy tab, in the History area, clear the Save file and URL history in the Player check box. |
How do I remove the list of files that I have recently played from Windows?
In order to make it easier for you to find frequently played content, Windows keeps track of the local files that you have recently accessed. If you share your computer, you may not want others to see this information.
To clear the My Recent Documents list
1. | In Windows, right-click Start, and then click Properties. |
2. | On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button. |
3. | On the Advanced tab, in the Recent documents area, click the Clear List button. |
Note that other users may still be able to see the list of files stored on your computer that you played on the File menu in Windows Media Player. To learn how to clear this list, see the previous question.
Clicking Clear List doesn't prevent the history of files played in the future from being stored. You must clear the List my most recently opened documents check box in Windows.
To prevent the file history from being saved and displayed in Windows
1. | In Windows, right-click Start, and then click Properties. |
2. | On the Start Menu tab, click the Customize button. |
3. | On the Advanced tab, in the Recent documents area, clear the List my most recently opened documents check box. |
Why can't I change my privacy settings on the Privacy tab?
This issue typically happens when you are using Windows Media Player at work and your network administrator has used Group Policy to prevent you from changing these settings. This might prevent your computer from retrieving media information from the Internet for CDs and DVDs. It might also prevent your computer from acquiring licenses automatically for protected content.
If you suspect that Group Policy might be the cause of the problem, contact your network administrator.
Why does the Player start by itself when I turn on my computer?
This isn't normal—Windows Media Player should not start every time you turn on your computer. This usually indicates that your computer has spyware installed, so get anti-spyware software that will identify and remove the spyware. For more information on how to protect your computer, see Security at Home.
Why does the Player display pop-up ads when I play a radio station or visit an online store?
Web browser pop-up windows (such as advertisements) might open if you use Windows Media Player to listen to certain radio stations or visit an online store. When you visit a radio station or an online store in the Payer, you are really just visiting the radio station or online store Web site, which is displayed in the Player. The radio station or online store—not the Player—controls whether any windows are opened and which Web pages those windows display.
To prevent pop-up windows from being displayed, adjust your Web browser settings. For more information about making these adjustments, see your Web browser Help.
NoteIf you use Internet Explorer to access the Internet, you can install Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), which contains a pop-up blocker for Internet Explorer. This pop-up blocker can also prevent pop-up windows from being displayed when you visit a radio station or an online store in the Player. For more information, see Block Pop-up Windows with Internet Explorer.
Why am I asked to change my privacy settings when I try to change media information?
By default, when you rip a CD and are connected to the Internet, Windows Media Player is configured to automatically retrieve media information and album art. If you have changed your privacy settings, you might be prompted to change them back when you click the Find Album Info button in the Player.
To retrieve media information from the Internet
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Privacy tab, in the Enhanced Playback and Device Experience area, select the Update music files by retrieving media info from the Internet check box. |
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.