When software is integrated into an operating system, it becomes the obvious choice to use . In older Windows releases, opening media files would open Windows Media Thespian, unless you installed an alternative like VLC. It wasn't the best media thespian, merely it worked out of the box, and that'due south exactly what most users look for.

Unfortunately, Microsoft stopped support for Windows Media Player in 2009, with the terminal release (Windows Media Role player 12) now over 10 years old. It's a little outdated these days, but you can download Windows Media Player 12 and use it in Windows ten by following these steps.

How To Download & Install Windows Media Player 12

Y'all might not realise this, simply yous don't actually need to download Windows Media Actor 12 on Windows 10 PCs. While it isn't officially supported or generally used these days, Windows Media Player is still available on Windows, hidden in your Start menu for you to utilize in the Windows Accessories folder.

If it isn't at that place, you tin can quickly enable information technology, equally Microsoft includes it as an optional Windows feature. It should still work to play some types of media files, although DVD playback through Windows Media Player 12 is no longer supported. You lot'll also need alternative software to play Blu-Ray discs, too.

  1. To enable Windows Media Thespian 12, printing Win+R on your keyboard, or right-click the Offset bill of fare and click Run. In the Run command box, type optionalfeatures and press OK. This will open up the Windows feature settings menu, where you can enable or disable Windows features.
  1. In the Windows Features box, press the + icon next to the Media Features category. Make sure that the checkbox adjacent to Windows Media Player is enabled, then click OK to confirm.
  1. If Windows Media Actor isn't already installed on your PC, information technology will be installed at this point. You'll need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
  1. One time your PC has restarted, you'll be able to notice and open Windows Media Player in your Windows Commencement bill of fare, under the Windows Accessories folder.
  1. Windows Media Role player won't exist used as the default app for media playback, even after yous enable it. If you want to change this, open the Windows Settings menu past right-clicking the Start menu > Windows Settings.
  1. From hither, printing Apps > Default apps and select Windows Media Player for both the Video player and Music player options.

Using The Groove Music or Microsoft Movies & TV Apps

Windows Media Thespian is a brand that Microsoft has long since given upwardly on. Originally, this was in favor of pushing its too-defunct Zune make with the Zune Music Pass app, capitalizing on the early success Microsoft had with portable media devices.

A pivot to Xbox followed with the Xbox Video and Xbox Music apps, but over again, these were abased further downwards the line as Microsoft'southward own ambitions inverse. These apps still be, but with new names and new interfaces: Groove Music and Microsoft Movies & Tv set (or Film & Tv in certain markets such as the UK).

These are the two, official replacements for Windows Media Histrion in Windows x. Groove Music, for instance, is a adequately basic music player with a few interesting features, such as the ability to build a cloud collection of your music files across multiple devices using OneDrive.

If y'all desire to play video content, Windows will instead push button you to employ Microsoft Movies & TV. Not only volition this play basic video formats such as MP4 and AVI, but it tin also be used to rent TV series or movies in full HD from the congenital-in rental marketplace, although this is just bachelor in certain locations.

In that respect, Movies & TV is designed as a competitor for other big media rental apps such as Google Play or Amazon Prime number Video. If yous decide to rent content through the PC app, y'all'll likewise be able to access it on an Xbox, should you lot wish too.

There'due south no denying, however, that Movies & TV and Groove Music don't have the same brand recognition that Microsoft had with Windows Media Player. Past splitting Media Player's features into 2 apps, however, Microsoft is trying to offer more distinctive features than the original Media Player for each intended purpose.

These may exist ideal replacements for Windows Media Player, or they may be lacking in the features you lot'd await. One problem with both apps, for instance, is a lack of the overall file format support you'll encounter from third-party alternatives. This trouble can but really be fixed past switching to an alternative media player instead.

Culling Media Players for Windows 10

Rather than using a x+ year old media player, in that location are ameliorate, more modern alternatives to Windows Media Player bachelor for Windows users. Enough of gratis media players for Windows exist, but the best pick for well-nigh users is likely to be VLC.

As third-party media players get, VLC is the ultimate option for most Windows and Mac users. Information technology plays pretty much every type of media file, and y'all tin even use VLC to manage music playlists or use VLC with Chromecast to play media content on a Goggle box remotely.

If you're looking for a VLC alternative, so you may prefer to give Plex or Kodi a endeavour. Both Kodi and Plex can be used for media playback, but if yous're looking for a great media server, Plex is what you'll demand, as it allows you to share your favorite movies and TV content to multiple devices across your network.

The world has moved on, so for music lovers, yous may be looking for a music streaming service similar Spotify or Apple Music instead. Both services allow you to import your ain music collection into their apps, while as well giving y'all access to music from other artists and musicians that you may already ain.

Playing Media on Windows 10

Using Windows Media Player 12 on Windows x probably isn't the best option, merely information technology will allow you to chop-chop play some common media files. You lot'll have problems playing newer media formats like MKV in Windows Media Player, withal. For well-nigh users, you'll be amend off using an alternative similar VLC instead of this outdated player.

Of course, don't forget Microsoft'southward official replacements for Windows Media Player 12. While the Groove Music and Microsoft Movies & Television receiver apps are ofttimes forgotten, they will help you play media files on your PC without installing boosted third-party software, although VLC still remains the best option for most users.