How to Enable Windows Media Player in Windows 10
If you’ve gone looking for Windows Media Player (WMP) on a Windows 10 PC and come up empty, you’re not imagining things. Microsoft quietly stopped making it the default player years ago, and on some editions, it isn’t even installed out of the box.
It is interesting to know that WMP hasn’t been removed. It’s just tucked away as an optional feature that you need to switch on manually, and on a couple of Windows 10 editions, you’ll need to download a small add-on first.
I’ve enabled WMP on more machines than I can count – old family desktops, freshly reset laptops, even a stubborn Windows 10 N build that refused to cooperate. This guide covers every method that actually works in 2026, including the ones most tutorials skip.
Quick answer: Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > Add a feature, search for “Windows Media Player,” and install it. That’s it for most PCs. If you don’t see it listed at all, jump to the N and KN edition section below; your case needs one extra step.
Why Isn’t Windows Media Player There by Default Anymore?
Windows 10 ships with Films & TV and Groove Music (now the Media Player app) as the default players for video and audio. Windows Media Player is still part of the OS, but Microsoft moved it into the “optional features” bucket instead of installing it automatically.
Two groups of users run into this:
- People on regular Windows 10 Home or Pro editions, where WMP exists on the disk but is switched off until you enable it.
- People on Windows 10 N or KN editions, where WMP and several media technologies are missing entirely because of competition-law requirements in Europe and South Korea.
Knowing which group you’re in saves you a lot of wasted clicks, so let’s sort that out first.
Check Which Windows 10 Edition You Have
Right-click the Start button, choose System, and look under “Windows specifications.”
If it says Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education (no “N” suffix), skip ahead to the Settings method below. If it says N or KN, you’ll need the Media Feature Pack first.
You can also open Settings > System > About and check the “Edition” field. It shows the same information.
How to Enable Windows Media Player on Windows 10 Home and Pro
This is the method that works for the vast majority of readers, since Home and Pro cover most PCs sold in India.
- Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Apps.
- Click Optional Features.
- Click Add a feature.
- Type “media” into the search box.
- Select Windows Media Player, then click Install.
- Restart your PC if you’re prompted to.
Once it’s installed, you’ll find it by searching “Windows Media Player” in the Start menu, or by browsing to C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe.
Alternative: Turn Windows Features On or Off
Prefer the classic Control Panel route? It does the same job:
- Press Win + R, type
optionalfeatures.exe, and press Enter. - Expand Media Features.
- Tick the box next to Windows Media Player.
- Click OK and restart if prompted.
Alternative: Install via PowerShell or DISM (For Power Users)
If you manage multiple PCs or prefer scripting, this is faster than clicking through menus. Open an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell window and run:
dism /online /add-capability /capabilityname:Media.WindowsMediaPlayer~~~~0.0.12.0
Or, in PowerShell:
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName "WindowsMediaPlayer" -All -Online
Restart once the command finishes. This method is especially handy if the Settings app is misbehaving or you’re setting up several machines with a script.
How to Get Windows Media Player on Windows 10 N and KN Editions
N and KN editions ship without WMP and without several related media components. No Groove Music, no Voice Recorder, and limited playback support in other apps too.
This isn’t a bug; it’s a licensing requirement tied to EU and South Korean competition rulings, so Microsoft sells these editions separately in those markets.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Download the Media Feature Pack for your exact Windows 10 build from Microsoft’s official download page. If your version isn’t listed there, search Microsoft Support for KB3145500, which lists the correct package for every build.
- Check whether your system is 32-bit or 64-bit before downloading. Go to Settings > System > About to confirm.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts. It installs WMP alongside a few other apps, including Skype, Groove Music, and Voice Recorder.
- Restart your PC.
On newer builds (version 1909 and later), you can also get it straight from Settings:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features > Add a feature.
- Type “media” in the search box.
- Install both Media Feature Pack and Windows Media Player.
Related: How to Install Windows 11 From a USB Drive
How to Set Windows Media Player as Your Default Player
Installing WMP doesn’t automatically make it your default app for music and video. Windows will keep opening files in Films & TV or the Media Player app unless you change that.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
- Scroll to Music Player and Video Player.
- Click each one and choose Windows Media Player from the list.
If you use it often, right-click it in the Start menu search results and select Pin to Taskbar so it’s one click away.
WMP vs. the Built-In Media Player App vs. VLC: Which Should You Actually Use?
Before you commit to reviving WMP, it’s worth knowing what you’re trading off. Microsoft hasn’t meaningfully updated Windows Media Player since around 2009, so it lacks modern codec support and a lot of the polish you’d expect from a current app.
| Feature | Windows Media Player (Legacy) | Windows Media Player app (built-in) | VLC (third-party) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comes pre-installed | No (optional feature) | Yes | No, free download |
| Modern format/codec support (4K, HEVC) | Limited | Better | Best |
| CD/DVD ripping and burning | Yes | No | No |
| Media library and playlist management | Basic, dated interface | Modern, Spotify-like | Basic |
| Actively updated by Microsoft | No | Yes | N/A (open-source, community-updated) |
| Best for | Nostalgia, old media libraries, ripping CDs | Everyday music and video | Playing almost any file format without hassle |
If you mainly need something that “just plays” whatever you throw at it, VLC is genuinely the more reliable choice today. WMP still makes sense if you’re ripping old CDs, managing a legacy music library with WMP-specific playlists, or you simply prefer its interface.
If you’re setting up a dedicated media PC and want cleaner audio than laptop speakers can manage, a compact 2.1 speaker set like Creative Pebble X Plus (available on Amazon)makes a noticeable difference for both WMP and VLC playback.
If you are on a tight budget, it is worth checking current low-cost options on Amazon if you don’t already have one.
Common Errors When Installing Windows Media Player (And Fixes)
“Windows Media Player” doesn’t appear in Optional Features
This almost always means you’re on an N or KN edition. Follow the Media Feature Pack steps above. The Media Features category won’t show up until that’s installed.
Error 0x80070490: “Media Feature Pack couldn’t install”
This is a common corruption issue with the Windows component store. Run these two commands in an elevated Command Prompt, one after the other:
dism /online /remove-capability /capabilityname:Media.MediaFeaturePack~~~~0.0.1.0
dism /online /add-capability /capabilityname:Media.MediaFeaturePack~~~~0.0.1.0
“Windows cannot find wmplayer.exe”
This means the package didn’t actually install, even if Settings shows it as enabled. Reinstall using the DISM command from the Home/Pro section above, then restart before trying again.
WMVCore.dll or other DLL errors after installing
This usually happens if you installed an older standalone Media Feature Pack installer on a newer Windows build.
Uninstall it, then reinstall using the built-in Settings or DISM method instead of an old downloaded installer. The built-in method matches your exact Windows version automatically.
Access denied errors on DISM (common on LTSC builds)
Some antivirus tools block DISM’s access to the component store. Temporarily disable third-party antivirus, run the command from an Administrator PowerShell window, and re-enable your antivirus afterwards.
Should You Still Bother With Windows Media Player in 2026?
Here’s the context the original version of this article didn’t have: Windows 10 officially reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer ships free security updates, feature updates, or technical support for it through normal channels.
If you’re still on Windows 10, you have two realistic paths:
- Enrol in Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft opened this to home users for the first time. A free option is available if you back up your settings to a Microsoft account, or you can pay roughly $30/₹2,500 (pricing varies) for a year of critical security patches. Consumer ESU coverage runs through October 13, 2026, after which no further security patches are guaranteed for consumer devices.
- Upgrade to Windows 11 if your hardware supports it. This is free for licensed Windows 10 users and is what Microsoft recommends for anyone who wants ongoing updates.
None of this affects whether WMP itself works. It’ll keep running fine either way. But if security updates matter to you (and they should, especially on a PC connected to the internet), don’t let “getting WMP working” be the last thing you do to this machine. Check your ESU eligibility or upgrade path too.
If your current laptop doesn’t support Windows 11 and you’ve been putting off replacing it, a mid-range Windows 11 laptop with at least 16GB RAM handles everyday use, including WMP and any other media apps, comfortably. Browse current options on Amazon.
Related: Secure Your PC With Dynamic Lock in Windows 11
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
Use this if WMP is installed but not behaving:
- [1] Confirm your Windows edition isn’t N/KN before troubleshooting further
- [2] Restart your PC after any install. Many WMP issues are just a pending restart
- [3] Check Settings > Apps > Default Apps to confirm WMP is actually set as default
- [4] Run
sfc /scannowin an elevated Command Prompt if playback is glitchy after install - [5] Reinstall via DISM if the Settings app method silently fails
- [6] Update your audio/video drivers if playback works but has no sound or stuttering video
Expert Tips
- Ripping an old CD collection? WMP’s built-in ripper is still one of the simplest tools for this. Set the format to MP3 in Rip Settings before you start for the widest compatibility with other devices.
- Migrating playlists? WMP playlists are stored as
.wplfiles in your Music folder. Back these up before any Windows reset, since a fresh install won’t preserve your library metadata. - On a shared family PC? Set WMP’s Media Sharing (under Stream) carefully. It exposes your library to other devices on the same network by default once enabled.
Conclusion
Windows Media Player may feel like an old Windows feature, but it can still be useful in 2026. If you prefer its simple interface, use an older media library, or regularly rip music from CDs, there is no need to give it up just because it is no longer enabled by default.
For most Windows 10 Home and Pro users, enabling it is simple. You can install Windows Media Player from Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
If that option does not work, you can use Windows Features or the DISM command. Users with Windows 10 N or KN editions need to install the Media Feature Pack before enabling WMP.
However, keep in mind that Windows Media Player Legacy is no longer actively developed. For newer formats and better overall compatibility, the built-in Media Player app or VLC may be a better choice.
There is one more important point for Windows 10 users. Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. If you continue using it, check whether your PC is eligible for Extended Security Updates or consider upgrading to Windows 11.
Overall, enabling WMP is easy, but make sure your Windows installation is secure and up to date before continuing to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It’s built into the OS on Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but it’s disabled by default. You enable it through Settings > Apps > Optional Features.
Either it hasn’t been enabled yet (most common), or you’re using a Windows 10 N/KN edition, where WMP isn’t included at all until you install the Media Feature Pack.
Yes, it’s a free built-in component of Windows 10 and 11. There’s no separate purchase or license needed.
N (and KN for South Korea) editions exclude Windows Media Player and several other media technologies, due to competition-law requirements in those regions. Functionality is otherwise identical.
You don’t need to download WMP itself for regular editions. It’s already on your disk, just disabled. N/KN edition users need to download the Media Feature Pack, which includes WMP.
Yes. It’s available as “Windows Media Player Legacy” under Optional Features in Windows 11, using nearly the same installation steps.
Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps, then set WMP as the default under both Music Player and Video Player.
Because Films & TV (or the Media Player app) is the default video player unless you manually change it in Default Apps settings.
Using WMP itself carries no unique risk. The bigger concern is that Windows 10 as a whole is past its official support date. Make sure you’re enrolled in ESU or have upgraded to Windows 11 for ongoing security patches.
It’s a component-store corruption error. Remove and reinstall the Media Feature Pack capability via DISM, as shown in the troubleshooting section above.
Yes. Run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature –FeatureName "WindowsMediaPlayer" -All -Online in an elevated PowerShell window.
Only on N/KN editions. The Media Feature Pack bundles WMP with Groove Music, Voice Recorder, and related apps. On regular editions, installing WMP alone doesn’t touch other apps.
Microsoft hasn’t significantly updated Windows Media Player’s interface or codec support since around 2009. It’s maintained for compatibility, not actively developed.
For everyday format compatibility, yes. VLC plays a wider range of files without extra codecs. WMP remains useful for CD ripping and users with existing WMP libraries.
WMP itself will keep functioning. What ends is Microsoft’s free security updates and support for Windows 10 as a whole, unless you enrol in the ESU program.
Yes. Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features, select Windows Media Player, and click Uninstall.
Support is limited and inconsistent. For reliable 4K playback, the built-in Media Player app or VLC are better choices.
This is often caused by third-party antivirus software blocking access to the component store. Try running the command with antivirus temporarily disabled, from an elevated PowerShell session.
LTSC editions use the same Optional Features or DISM methods as standard editions. If it’s missing, use the DISM capability command shown above.
No. It’s a lightweight, native Windows component and has no noticeable impact on performance once installed.
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