Windows Media Player has been part of the Windows operating system for a long time. While it’s true that Microsoft has not updated the Windows Media Player after the release of Windows 7, it’s still one of the most used audio and video players on Windows computers.
While there are plenty of alternatives to Windows Media Player, there are many users who still prefer using the built-in Windows Media Player. If the Windows Media Player is missing from your Windows 10 or 11 installation, you can install it again. This guide shows you how to install Windows Media Player in Windows 10 and 11.
NOTE: Windows Media Player in Windows 11 is different from the Media Player app. This guide shows you how to install the classic Windows Media Player (Windows Media Player legacy in Windows 11) and not the new Media Player app.
Install Windows Media Player in Windows 10
Step 1: Open the Windows 10 Settings app. Go to Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: On this page, click the Optional features link to open the Optional features page.
Step 3: Next, click the Add a feature button. This will bring up the Add an optional feature dialog.
Step 4: Here, scroll down to see the Windows Media Player entry. Select the Windows Media Player entry and then click the Install button. That’s it! Windows Media Player will be installed on your Windows 10 computer in a few minutes. During the installation, the Settings app will also show the progress. If it asks you to restart, reboot your computer once to complete the installation procedure.
Install Windows Media Player in Windows 11
In recent versions of Windows 11, Windows Media Player has been renamed to Windows Media Player Legacy after the introduction of the new Media Player app. If the Windows Media Player is missing, here is how to install it again.
Step 1: Navigate to Windows 11 Settings > System > Optional features page.
Step 2: On the Optional features page, click the View features button.
Step 3: Scroll down the features list to see the Windows Media Player entry. Select the Windows Media Player entry and then click the Next button.
Step 4: Finally, click the Install button to begin installing Windows Media Player. This might take a few minutes to tens of minutes.
Once installed, you can launch Windows Media Player via search.
Olaf Bacon says
In Windows 11 if the option to try to load the latest version of Windows Media Player is used, which was provided for Windows 10, by disabling the entry in the Control Panel, then please notice that Windows 11 will REFUSE to re-create the option in the Control Panel when the PC is restarted. Windows Media Player Legacy (App) responds “Couldn’t Add”. Please contact Microsoft and request them to have an option to re-create the option in the Control Panel, where Windows Media Player can be reactivated. July 2024.
geo says
There is no option for window media player legacy nor any window media player
Margaret M Emery says
I’m trying to install a Windows Media Player on my Asus Vivobook. I DO NOT find the “next” button that is supposed to take me to the “installation” part of the process. All I get is an option to UNINSTALL it. What other suggestions do you have???