Windows Media Player

Free plan Windows

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What Windows Media Player is

Windows Media Player is a free multimedia player for Windows. It plays media files and audio CDs, manages a media library, creates playlists and can play streaming content from websites. Its listed formats include MP3, MP2, AAC, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, WMA, MPEG-4/H.264, WMV and others; some formats, including AVI video, may require codecs installed on the computer. The player can display metadata such as album art, create audio CDs and transfer music to a portable music player. Media sharing and Play To can send music, pictures and videos to computers and devices on the same network. Windows Media Player Legacy is included in clean Windows 10 installs and is optional in some Windows 10 and Windows 11 editions. Windows N editions exclude it and related technologies; Microsoft says the Media Feature Pack can restore them. Legacy does not include DVD playback on Windows 10 or 11, and Microsoft recommends the Media Player app for modern video features such as 4K.

Who it suits

It suits Windows users who want to play media and audio CDs, organize a library, create playlists or share media on a local network. Availability depends on the Windows edition.

What it does well

Plays media files and audio CDs.
Manages libraries and creates playlists.
Supports a range of audio and video formats.
Can share media with devices on the same network.
Free Windows app.

What to know first

DVD playback is not included in Legacy on Windows 10 or 11.
Some formats may need installed codecs.
Availability varies by Windows edition.
Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025.

Limits

Windows Media Player Legacy does not include DVD playback on Windows 10 or Windows 11. Some formats may require codecs, and Windows N editions need the Media Feature Pack to restore the player and related technologies.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Windows Media Player	Windows app · availability varies by Windows edition · DVD playback not included in Windows Media Player Legacy	Free

As apps.microsoft.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Microsoft Store listing for Windows Media Player.
Check whether the player is included or available as an optional feature in your Windows edition.
If you use a Windows N edition, install the Media Feature Pack to restore the player and related technologies.
Install any required codecs for formats that need them.
Add media to the library, then play files, make playlists or share media on your network.

Verdict

Windows Media Player covers playback, library organization and media sharing at no cost. Check edition availability and the DVD limitation; Microsoft recommends the Media Player app for modern video features such as 4K.

Questions

Is Windows Media Player free?

Yes. The listed plan costs nothing, and the license model is free.

Which platforms does it support?

Windows is the only listed platform. Availability varies by Windows edition.

What media formats can it play?

The listed formats include MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, WMA, MPEG-4/H.264, WMV and many others. Some, including AVI video, may require codecs installed on the computer.

Does Windows Media Player Legacy play DVDs?

No. DVD playback is not included with Windows Media Player Legacy on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Is it included with Windows?

Windows Media Player Legacy is included in clean Windows 10 installs and is an optional feature in some Windows 10 and Windows 11 editions. Windows N editions exclude it and related technologies; Microsoft says the Media Feature Pack can restore them.

Can it share media with other devices?

Yes. Media sharing and Play To can share music, pictures and videos with computers and devices on the same network.

Facts from Windows Media Player's own pages

Codec dependency: Some formats, including AVI video, may require the appropriate codecs to be installed on the computer. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
DVD limitation: DVD playback is not included with Windows Media Player Legacy on Windows 10 or Windows 11. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Formats: Microsoft lists support for Windows Media formats, AVI, MPEG, MIDI, AIFF, AU, WAV, and CD audio, among other formats. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Format support: MP3,MP2,AAC,M4A,FLAC,ALAC,WAV,WMA,3GP,3G2,AMR,MPEG-4/H.264,H.263,VC-1,WMV,DV,VP8,Motion JPEG,ASF · support.microsoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
Founded: 1975 · apps.microsoft.com, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · support.microsoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA · apps.microsoft.com, 28 Sept 2026
License model: free · support.microsoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
Media management: Its listed features include providing media metadata, including album art, creating audio CDs, and transferring music to a portable music player. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Modern video: Microsoft recommends the Media Player app for modern video features such as 4K. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Network playback: Yes · support.microsoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: Windows · support.microsoft.com, 21 Sept 2026
Platforms and availability: Windows Media Player Legacy is included in clean Windows 10 installs and is an optional feature in some Windows 10 and Windows 11 editions. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Playback and library: It can play media files and audio CDs, manage a media library, create playlists, and play streaming content from a website. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose: Windows Media Player is a built-in multimedia player that comes with Windows. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Security and DRM: Microsoft describes Windows Media DRM as enabling secure delivery of protected content for playback on computers, portable devices, or network devices. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Sharing: Media sharing and Play To can share music, pictures, and videos with computers and devices on the same network. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Support status: Microsoft says Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, after which it no longer provides free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Troubleshooting: Microsoft's support guidance says users can repair or reset Windows Media Player; resetting removes custom settings and preferences but not media files or the library. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026
Windows N editions: Windows 10 and 11 N editions exclude Windows Media Player and related technologies; Microsoft says users can restore them by installing the Media Feature Pack. · support.microsoft.com, 7 Oct 2026

Where Windows Media Player stands on Freedom251

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