Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP
Learn tips for setting up and using Windows Media Player 11.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP, unless otherwise noted.
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What do I need to install Windows Media Player 11?
Windows Media Player 11 is designed to update the Windows XP family of operating systems:
| • | Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (SP2) |
| • | Windows XP Professional SP2 |
| • | Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 |
| • | Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and October 2006 Update Rollup for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 |
To make sure that the hardware and software on your computer is compatible with Windows Media Player 11, see the Minimum system requirements.
NoteThe Update Rollups for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 must be installed before you can install Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP. Windows Media Player 11 can't be installed on computers running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003 or Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004.
Is Windows Media Player 11 available in my language?
To see if the Player is available in your language, go to the Windows Media Download Center. At the top of the Web page, you'll see three boxes (Select Download, Select Version, and Select Language). Select the following choices in the boxes:
| • | In the Select Download list, click Windows Media Player. |
| • | In the Select Version list, click Player 11 (for Windows XP). |
| • | In the Select Language list, click the arrow to view the available languages. |
Will I lose my music and video files if I install Windows Media Player 11?
Windows Media Player 11 Setup only updates the features in the current version of the Player. It should not make any changes to the content in your library or to the digital media files on your computer.
Keep in mind, however, that some unexpected problems can occur. We recommend that you safeguard your files by copying any user ratings and customized media information to the files and then backing up your data.
To back up your files
1. | In Windows Media Player 10, on the Tools menu, click Options. |
2. | On the Library tab, select the Maintain my star ratings as global ratings in the media files check box. When this check box is selected, the user ratings for your songs are saved in your media files rather than in your library database file. This process occurs in the background, so it may take some time before your ratings are saved to all of your media files. The next step in this procedure ensures that your ratings (and any changes that you have made to other media information) are saved to your files immediately. |
3. | On the Tools menu, click Process media information now. |
4. | Run the Backup Utility in Windows XP. (To do this, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Backup.) |
Will my licensed files still work after an upgrade?
If you have previously downloaded or purchased content from an online store by using Windows Media Player 10 or earlier, you will continue to be able to use that content in the Windows Media Player 11. However, if your online store is not available in Windows Media Player 11, you will not be able to use Windows Media Player 11 to access that store to download or purchase new content.
If you currently use Windows Media Player 10 or earlier to access your favorite online store, you might not be able to access that store when using Windows Media Player 11. Store availability varies by which language version of Windows Media Player 11 you install.
Will my portable device still work with Windows Media Player 11?
Any PlaysForSure device will work with Windows Media Player 11. For more information about synchronizing music and video in Windows Media Player 11, see Sync Your Digital Media to a Portable Device.
NoteSome devices that support the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) might not be recognized in Windows Media Player 11. For more information, see Device not recognized after installing Windows Media Player 11.
Some devices might not support synchronization of album art. For more information, see Issues synchronizing album art to certain devices.
If you have an iriver H10 device, see Issues when synchronizing files to iriver H10 devices.
If you have a Philips GoGear device, see Issues when synchronizing files to Philips GoGear devices.
If you have a Creative ZEN device, see Issues updating firmware on Creative ZEN portable devices after installing Windows Media Player 11.
Should I uninstall my previous Player before installing Windows Media Player 11?
Windows Media Player 11 Setup will simply update the Player functionality that is currently installed on your system. It is not necessary to remove your current Player, nor is it desirable to do so, because the Player is a feature of the operating system and can't be removed entirely.
How do I install Windows Media Player 11?
Before you install the Player, we recommend that you review the Readme for Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP.
To install Windows Media Player 11
1. | Go to Microsoft Update and install any high-priority updates that are available for your computer. | ||||||
2. | Go to the Windows Media Download Center. | ||||||
3. | At the top of the Web page, you'll see three boxes (Download, Version, and Language). Select the following choices in the boxes:
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4. | After the Web page refreshes, click the Download Now button. | ||||||
5. | When the program asks you to either run or save the setup file, do one of the following:
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6. | Follow the instructions in the Setup Wizard. |
Will Windows Media Player 11 work on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition?
Yes. Windows Media Player 11 (64-bit) is designed to work with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Be sure to select the correct Player version from the Windows Media Download Center for installation.
Before you install the Player, we recommend that you review the Readme for Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP.
To install Windows Media Player 11 (64-bit)
1. | Go to Microsoft Update and install any high-priority updates that are available for your computer. | ||||||
2. | Go to the Windows Media Download Center. | ||||||
3. | At the top of the Web page, you'll see three boxes (Download, Version, and Language). Select the following choices in the boxes:
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4. | After the Web page refreshes, click the Download Now button. | ||||||
5. | When the program asks you to either run or save the setup file, do one of the following:
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6. | Follow the instructions in the Setup Wizard. |
How do I make Windows Media Player 11 my default Player?
If your computer is running Windows XP and you have more than one digital media player installed, you can choose Windows Media Player 11 as your default digital media player for all the audio and video file types that it supports. This means that when you attempt to play a supported file type, such as a Windows Media Audio (WMA) or Windows Media Video (WMV) file, the Player opens automatically and plays the file. For more information, see Set Windows Media Player 11 as Your Default Digital Media Player.
You also have the option of setting Windows Media Player as the default digital media player for one or more specific file types rather than for all audio and video file types that the Player supports. For more information, see How do I make Windows Media Player the default player for a file type?
For more information about the file types supported by Windows Media Player, see Windows Media Player multimedia file formats.
Can I uninstall Windows Media Player 11?
Yes, if you decide later that you want to return to your previous version of the Player, you can uninstall Windows Media Player 11. For more information, see Rolling back to a previous version of the Player.
How much does Windows Media Player 11 cost?
Windows Media Player 11 is a free update to the Windows Media Player functionality in the Microsoft Windows XP family of operating systems (Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, or Windows XP Media Center Edition).
Where is the Media Guide?
All of the features you loved about the Windowsmedia.com Guide in previous versions of the Player are still available in Windows Media Player 11. The Media Guide is like an electronic magazine; it is updated daily with links to the latest movies, music, and video on the Internet, and includes a broad range of topics from worldwide news to the latest developments in the entertainment industry. You can play everything displayed in the Media Guide feature by using the Player.
To use the Media Guide
| • | In Windows Media Player 11, click the arrow below the Online Stores tab, and then click Media Guide.
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NoteYou can also view the Media Guide in a Web browser by visiting WindowsMedia.com Media Guide.
Where is the Radio Tuner option in Media Guide?
In Windows Media Player 11, you can use the "Internet Radio" option to find and play Internet radio stations. This option used to be named "Radio Tuner."
To listen to online radio in Media Guide
1. | In Windows Media Player 11, click the arrow below the Online Stores tab, and then click Media Guide.
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2. | In Media Guide, click the link for Internet Radio.
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NoteThe Media Guide is like an electronic magazine; it is updated daily with links to the latest movies, music, and video on the Internet, as well as links to some of the most popular radio stations from around the world. You can also find and play radio stations in the Media Guide in a Web browser by visiting WindowsMedia.com Radio Tuner.
For more information about finding radio stations that broadcast over the Internet, and listening to them in Windows Media Player 11, see Find and Listen to Internet Radio Stations.
Where is my online store?
Many of the online stores you used in Windows Media Player 10 are available in Windows Media Player 11 too.
To find additional online stores
| • | In Windows Media Player 11, click the arrow below the Online Stores tab, and then click Browse all Online Stores.
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For more information about online store availability in Windows Media Player 11, see Online Stores in Windows Media Player.
NoteIf the online store that you are trying to find is not listed on the Online Stores in Windows Media Player page, you will not be able to use Windows Media Player 11 to access that store to download or purchase new content.
If you have previously downloaded or purchased content from an online store by using Windows Media Player 10 or earlier, you will be able to continue using that content in Windows Media Player 11, even if the online store is no longer available.
How do I display the total amount of time required to play all of the songs in my library?
To view "Total Time" for the songs in your library in Windows Media Player 11, you must select them so you can view this information for the selected items in the Player. The number of selected items and the total time that is required to play them is displayed to the right of the playback controls at the bottom of the Player. Note that it is not possible to display the total size of selected items in the Player.
To display the number of selected items in your library
1. | In Windows Media Player 11, click the Library tab. |
2. | On the address bar, click the Select a category button, and then click the category that you want to look in (in this case, Music). |
3. | In the Navigation pane, under Library, click Songs. |
4. | In the Details pane, click any song in the list, and then press the keyboard shortcut combination CTRL+A. |
Where is the menu bar?
The Classic Menus (previously known as the menu bar) in Windows Media Player 11 provide you access to most of the Player functions. They are hidden by default.
Although many of the functions in the Classic Menus also appear in the drop-down menus below the Now Playing, Library, Rip, Burn, and Sync tabs, you might want to show the Classic Menus to access the less frequently used commands that only appear on the File, View, Play, Tools, and Help menus.
To show the Classic Menus
| • | Do one of the following:
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For more information about navigating the new Player design, see Get around in the Player.
How can I use Windows Media Player 11 to stream digital media from my computer to a device on my home network?
Using Windows Media Player 11, you can stream music, pictures, and video from your computer to devices that are connected to your wired or wireless home network. For example, if you have a networked digital media player such as an Xbox 360, you can enjoy the contents of your Player library on that device, no matter where it is in your home. To learn more, see Share Your Media.
What should I do if I have a problem?
If you experience a problem or have a question about using Windows Media Player 11, see Troubleshooting Windows Media Player 11.
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.