Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Can I delete Windows Media Player and reinstall it ?

May 21, 2011 2:44AM PDT

I have a 2 yr. old Acer computer with Windows 7, which was upgraded from XP Professional recently. My Windows Media Player has so many incorrect headings, songs/videos that have been included in it, the "simplest" problem of which are duplicates, and many that will not play--I do not see any alternative route to take! Too many cooks at the stove, so to speak!
I do not have a disc to replace it once it is deleted. Can I just download it for free from the internet?
ikka

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Sort Of...
May 21, 2011 3:42AM PDT

I'm not on a Windows 7 computer at the moment, but click on Control Panel-Programs and Features-Turn Windows Features on and off-, then expand the "Media Features", then UNCHECK the box next to Windows Media Player. (You may also choose to UNCHECK the "Windows Media Center" box as well.) Click on OK, then follow the prompts to say "Yes" when it asks you "Are you sure"", then continue on to remove Windows Media Player..

Recognized that this doesn't fully uninstall WMP, it just makes it go away, and you should be able to reinstall WMP 12 again by reversing the procedures above. Reinstalling WMP 12 and WMC on Win7 usually allows you to reset the settings player and its settings to something you like better.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Can I delete Windows Media Payer and reinstall it?
Jun 1, 2011 8:38AM PDT

I would try to do this, if I knew for sure that I could reinstall WMP 12 and WMP.
Also, unfortunately, I have no idea how to reset the settings player and its settings. Being the Neanderthal on the computer that I am, I just want what it was set as originally.
Thanks so much for your suggestion though,
ikka

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: WMP
May 21, 2011 6:14AM PDT
- Collapse -
I started following the instructions to delete the library
May 31, 2011 4:02AM PDT

When I started to disable the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service shown in the Services window, I got error 1053: the service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion and, Windows could not stop WMPNSS on a local computer. I do not understand what the problem is? I am dealing with my home computer--am I missing something?

Thank you so much for helping with this,
ikka

- Collapse -
Re: service can't be stopped
May 31, 2011 7:29AM PDT

Try it after booting in Safe Mode.

Kees

- Collapse -
Re: service can't be stopped
Jun 1, 2011 8:29AM PDT

Forgive me for being such a novice at this sort of thing---I booted in Safe Mode and opened Explorer to "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsof\Media Player. I only found web sites, not deletable files?? Please, if you don't mind, explain in layman's terms, how I should proceed now, or where I went wrong.
Thank you so much,
ikka

- Collapse -
Re: appdata
Jun 1, 2011 7:38PM PDT

With me, that folder only contains data belonging to WMP. No websites. In fact, websites are located outside your PC.

The files the link says to delete are there. It might help to set Windows Explorer to detail view and uncheck the option to hide file extensions. Then you should see them.

Kees

- Collapse -
Answer
Yes
Jun 1, 2011 8:47PM PDT

You can get it from microsoft website.

- Collapse -
Re:deleting Windows Media Player
Jun 9, 2011 4:52AM PDT

Tk. you ALL for your terrific suggestions. I am now back on track!
ikka