Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player is a free multimedia player included with Windows in some editions.
What Windows Media Player is
Windows Media Player is a free multimedia player included with Windows in some editions. It plays media files and audio CDs, manages a media library, creates playlists and plays streaming content from websites. Supported formats listed by Microsoft include MP3, MP2, AAC, M4A, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, WMA, 3GP, 3G2, AMR, MPEG-4/H.264, H.263, VC-1, WMV, DV, VP8, Motion JPEG and ASF, alongside Windows Media formats, AVI, MPEG, MIDI, AIFF, AU and CD audio. Some formats, including AVI video, may need installed codecs. The player can show metadata such as album art, create audio CDs and transfer music to portable players. Media sharing and Play To send music, pictures and videos across the same network. Legacy is included in clean Windows 10 installs and optional in some Windows 10 and 11 editions. Windows N editions require the Media Feature Pack. DVD playback is not included.
Good
- Free Windows multimedia player
- Plays audio CDs and streaming content
- Supports many audio and video formats
- Creates playlists and audio CDs
- Shares media over a local network
Watch out
- Windows-only availability
- Some formats require codecs
- Legacy version lacks DVD playback
- Windows N editions exclude it
Who it suits
Windows users who need basic local playback, libraries, playlists or CD features may find it suitable. Availability depends on the Windows edition.
Verdict
Windows Media Player remains a free option for common media playback and library tasks on supported Windows editions. Users needing DVDs or modern video features should note its stated limitations.
Plans and prices
From Windows Media Player's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Media Player | Free | Windows app · availability varies by Windows edition · DVD playback not included in Windows Media Player Legacy |
The facts
Each one read from Windows Media Player's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Codec dependency
- Some formats, including AVI video, may require the appropriate codecs to be installed on the computer.checked 7 Oct 2026
- DVD limitation
- DVD playback is not included with Windows Media Player Legacy on Windows 10 or Windows 11.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Formats
- Microsoft lists support for Windows Media formats, AVI, MPEG, MIDI, AIFF, AU, WAV, and CD audio, among other formats.checked 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,ASFchecked 21 Sep 2026
- License model
- freechecked 21 Sep 2026
- Media management
- Its listed features include providing media metadata, including album art, creating audio CDs, and transferring music to a portable music player.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Modern video
- Microsoft recommends the Media Player app for modern video features such as 4K.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Network playback
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Windows Media Player is a built-in multimedia player that comes with Windows.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Media sharing and Play To can share music, pictures, and videos with computers and devices on the same network.checked 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.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1975checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Redmond, Washington, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windowschecked 21 Sep 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
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