The Ultimate Guide to Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 10 64 Bit Users
Windows Media Player 12 Free Download for Windows 10 64 Bit
If you are looking for a versatile and reliable media player for your Windows 10 PC, you might want to consider downloading Windows Media Player 12. This is a free app that comes with many features and benefits that can enhance your multimedia experience. In this article, we will show you how to download and install Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 10 64 bit, as well as its features, alternatives, pros and cons, and FAQs.
Windows Media Player 12 Free Download For Windows 10 64 Bit
Introduction
Windows Media Player 12 is a software program that allows you to play, organize, sync, and stream various types of digital media, such as music, videos, photos, podcasts, and online radio. It is designed by media lovers for media lovers, and it is compatible with many popular audio and video formats. It also integrates with other Microsoft programs, such as OneDrive, Groove Music, and Movies & TV.
Windows Media Player 12 is available as part of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. However, depending on your edition of Windows, you may need to enable or reinstall it manually. To do that, you need to check your Windows version and system type first.
To check your Windows version and system type, follow these steps:
Click the Start button and type about.
Select About your PC from the search results.
Under Device specifications, look for Edition and System type.
Note down your edition (e.g., Windows 10 Home) and system type (e.g., 64-bit operating system).
How to Download and Install Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 10 64 Bit
If you have a clean install of Windows 10 or an upgrade from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, you should already have Windows Media Player 12 on your PC. However, if you have a different edition of Windows or if you have removed or disabled Windows Media Player before, you may need to download and install it manually.
To download and install Windows Media Player 12 for Windows 10 64 bit, follow these steps:
Click the Start button and type features.
Select Turn Windows features on or off from the search results.
In the Windows Features window, expand Media Features and see whether the Windows Media Player check box is selected. If it is not, select it.
Click OK and then restart your PC.
This will download and install the latest version of Windows Media Player for your system.
If you encounter any issues with the installation, you can try the following troubleshooting tips:
Make sure you have an active internet connection and enough disk space.
Run the Windows Update troubleshooter and install any pending updates.
Run the System File Checker tool and repair any corrupted system files.
Uninstall any third-party media players or codecs that may interfere with Windows Media Player.
Contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
Features and Benefits of Windows Media Player 12
Windows Media Player 12 is more than just a simple media player. It offers a range of features and benefits that can make your multimedia experience more enjoyable and convenient. Here are some of the main features and benefits of Windows Media Player 12:
Streamlined playback modes
Windows Media Player 12 has two playback modes: Now Playing and Library. The Now Playing mode is a minimalist interface that shows only the essential controls and information, such as the album art, the playback buttons, the seek bar, and the volume slider. The Library mode is a full-featured interface that allows you to browse, organize, and manage your media collection, as well as access online services, such as music stores, radio stations, and podcasts. You can switch between the two modes by clicking the Switch to Library or Switch to Now Playing button in the upper-right corner of the window.
Support for many audio and video formats
Windows Media Player 12 can play a wide variety of audio and video formats, such as MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, M4A, MP4, WMV, AVI, MKV, MOV, FLV, and more. It also supports playlists, subtitles, captions, and metadata. You can adjust the playback settings, such as the speed, the aspect ratio, the brightness, the contrast, and the color balance. You can also enhance the sound quality with the built-in equalizer and effects.
Ability to sync and stream media to other devices
Windows Media Player 12 can sync your media files to portable devices, such as MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, and cameras. You can choose which files to sync automatically or manually. You can also stream your media files to other devices on your home network, such as TVs, game consoles, speakers, and media receivers. You can use the Play To feature to send media files from your PC to another device or use the Play From feature to play media files from another device on your PC.
Built-in CD ripper and media organizer
Windows Media Player 12 can rip audio CDs to your PC in various formats and quality levels. You can also edit the track information and album art before ripping. Windows Media Player 12 can also organize your media files by categories, such as artist, album, genre, year, rating, and more. You can create custom playlists, sort and filter your files, search for specific items, and edit the file properties. You can also rate your files and add them to your favorites.
Alternatives to Windows Media Player 12
While Windows Media Player 12 is a great media player for Windows 10 64 bit users, it may not suit everyone's needs and preferences. If you are looking for some alternatives to Windows Media Player 12, here are some of the best ones you can try:
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free and open-source media player that can play almost any audio and video format, as well as DVDs, CDs, and online streams. It has a simple and user-friendly interface, as well as many advanced features, such as video filters, audio effects, subtitles, playlists, and more. It is also lightweight and portable, meaning you can run it from a USB drive without installing it on your PC.
Kodi
Kodi is a free and open-source media center that can play and organize your media files, as well as access online content, such as TV shows, movies, music, podcasts, and more. It has a customizable and elegant interface, as well as many add-ons and plugins that can enhance its functionality. It can also stream media to other devices on your network or the internet.
PotPlayer
PotPlayer is a free and powerful media player that can play a wide range of audio and video formats, as well as DVDs, Blu-rays, and online streams. It has a sleek and modern interface, as well as many features, such as video capture, screen recording, audio enhancement, subtitles, playlists, and more. It also supports hardware acceleration and 3D output.
Plex Media Server
Plex Media Server is a free and premium media server that can store and stream your media files to any device on your network or the internet. It has a beautiful and intuitive interface, as well as many features, such as metadata management, transcoding, remote access, parental controls, and more. It also has a large library of online content, such as movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and more.
Pros and Cons of Windows Media Player 12
Windows Media Player 12 is not perfect. It has its own advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before using it. Here are some of the pros and cons of Windows Media Player 12:
Pros
It is free and easy to use.
It supports many audio and video formats.
It can sync and stream media to other devices.
It has a built-in CD ripper and media organizer.
It integrates with other Microsoft programs.
Cons
It may not play some rare or proprietary formats.
It may not have some advanced features or customization options.
It may have some compatibility or performance issues with some systems or devices.
It may not be updated frequently or supported by Microsoft in the future.
It may be affected by some security or privacy risks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Windows Media Player 12 is a great media player for Windows 10 64 bit users who want a simple and reliable way to play, organize, sync, and stream their media files. It has many features and benefits that can enhance their multimedia experience, such as streamlined playback modes, support for many audio and video formats, ability to sync and stream media to other devices, and built-in CD ripper and media organizer. However, it also has some drawbacks that may limit its functionality or performance, such as lack of support for some rare or proprietary formats, lack of some advanced features or customization options, compatibility or performance issues with some systems or devices, lack of frequent updates or support from Microsoft, and security or privacy risks. Therefore, we recommend Windows Media Player 12 for users who are looking for a simple and reliable media player, but we also suggest trying some alternatives, such as VLC Media Player, Kodi, PotPlayer, or Plex Media Server, for users who are looking for more features or flexibility.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Windows Media Player 12:
What file types are supported by Windows Media Player 12?
Windows Media Player 12 can play many audio and video file types, such as MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, M4A, MP4, WMV, AVI, MKV, MOV, FLV, and more. However, it may not play some rare or proprietary formats, such as DTS, AC3, APE, ALAC, MKA, RMVB, etc. To play these formats, you may need to install additional codecs or use a different media player.
How to add DVD playback to Windows Media Player 12?
Windows Media Player 12 can play DVDs on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs. However, on Windows 10 PCs, you may need to install a separate app or codec to enable DVD playback. You can either purchase the official Windows DVD Player app from the Microsoft Store or download a free third-party app or codec from the internet. Some of the popular options are VLC Media Player, Kodi, PotPlayer, K-Lite Codec Pack, etc.
How to update Windows Media Player 12?
Windows Media Player 12 is usually updated automatically through Windows Update. However, if you want to check for updates manually, you can follow these steps:
Click the Start button and type windows update.
Select Check for updates from the search results.
In the Windows Update window, click View optional updates.
Expand the Driver updates and Other updates sections and see whether there is any update for Windows Media Player.
If there is, select it and click Download and install.
Restart your PC if prompted.
This will update Windows Media Player 12 to the latest version available for your system.
How to uninstall Windows Media Player 12?
If you want to uninstall Windows Media Player 12 from your PC, you can follow these steps:
Click the Start button and type features.
Select Turn Windows features on or off from the search results.
In the Windows Features window, expand Media Features and clear the Windows Media Player check box.
Click OK and then restart your PC.
This will uninstall Windows Media Player 12 from your system.
Note that this will not delete your media files or playlists. You can still access them with another media player or app.
How to customize Windows Media Player 12?
If you want to customize Windows Media Player 12 to suit your preferences, you can use the following options:
To change the appearance of Windows Media Player 12, you can choose from different skins, colors, and layouts. You can also adjust the size and position of the window, as well as toggle the full-screen mode.
To change the behavior of Windows Media Player 12, you can modify various settings, such as the playback options, the library options, the privacy options, the security options, and more. You can also set up keyboard shortcuts, file associations, and plug-ins.
To change the content of Windows Media Player 12, you can add or remove media files or folders, create or edit playlists, rate or tag your files, and more. You can also access online services, such as music stores, radio stations, and podcasts.
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