Using and Creating Skins for Windows Media Player
Learn to change the look of Windows Media Player by applying skins, and learn to create your own skins.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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How do I change the look of the Player by applying a skin?
Skins are different graphical themes (for example, a theme based upon a musical group, a movie, or a sports team) that you can apply to Windows Media Player. When you apply a skin to Windows Media Player, the Player changes to skin mode—an alternate view of the Player that is usually smaller than full mode (the default view of the Player). Note that in skin mode, you are limited to the functionality associated with the skin that you selected. For more information, see "Applying a Skin" in Give the Player a New Look.
Where can I get more skins for the Player?
You can download additional skins for Windows Media Player 10 from Skins for Windows Media Player or from WMPlugins.com. When the download is completed, do the following:
| • | Click View Now to apply the skin to Windows Media Player immediately. -or- |
| • | Click Close. The skin will be added to the list of skins in the Skin Chooser in the Player. To select the skin in Skin Chooser and apply it, follow the instructions in the previous question. |
How can I switch the Player from skin mode back to full mode?
When the Player is in skin mode, you can display a small window called the anchor window in the lower-right corner of your desktop.
This window contains a button that you can click to return the Player to full mode.
To display the anchor window when the Player is in skin mode
1. | In the Player, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Player tab, select the Display anchor window when in skin mode check box. |
If you prefer not to display the anchor window on your desktop, you can do one of the following to return the Player to full mode:
| • | Press the keyboard shortcut combination CTRL+1. -or- |
| • | Right-click anywhere on the skin, and then click Switch to Full Mode on the menu that is displayed. |
NoteIf you use Windows Media Player at work, your network administrator may implement a policy that prevents you from switching the Player from skin mode to full mode (or vice versa). For more information, contact your network administrator.
How can I create my own skins for the Player?
You don't need to be an expert programmer or an artist to create your own skins. Skins are created using XML (similar to HTML), Microsoft JScript (similar to Microsoft Visual Basic and other high-level languages), and whatever art software programs you choose.
For more information, see Windows Media Player Skins on MSDN.
How can I make my skins available for download from Microsoft?
If you are a skin developer, you can submit your original creations to WMPlugins.com. You must have a Microsoft .NET Passport to sign in. After you sign in, follow the instructions. (If the instructions Web page doesn't appear, click My Plug-ins at the top of the Web page, and then click Submit your plug-ins.) For more information about guidelines for submitting plug-ins, see Guidelines for submission.
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.