Solved Desktop shortcut for new Windows 11 Media player

bsfreely · Apr 8, 2023

Hello! A quick search didn't hit on an answer, but how can I add a desktop shortcut for the new Windows Media Player? It's the one with the "NEW" icon:

I pinned it to the taskbar, but I can't point a shortcut to the .exe because I don't see it in the file system.
Brian F.

TM21 · Apr 8, 2023

I think I just did what you said you want to do. Maybe.

I first opened up my "Programs" menu. Then clicked on Apps, then in the Apps Menu I found the new Media Player icon and right clicked on it. From the context menu I clicked on "Pin to Taskbar" and VOILA! There it was.

Of course, I've already enabled the full Context Menu, using a little script I found on this forum.

Our successes today depend on our successes of yesterday.

Good Luck,
TM

bsfreely · Apr 8, 2023

Hi @TechnoMage2021 and thanks for the reply!

Yes I pinned it to the taskbar. But I'd also like to have a desktop shortcut.

When I go to the start menu and search for "player", it gives me both the legacy player and new player. When I right-click on the legacy player, one option is to "Open file location" in Windows explorer. The .exe for the legacy player is automatically selected. Then I right-click and choose "Copy as path", which I can then paste as the location of the item into a new desktop shortcut. But the "Open file location" option is not there when I right-click on the new player.

(And thanks for the reminder in your signature to back up my data. It has been a while....)

Brian F.

bobkn · Apr 8, 2023

At least on my machine, the executable is: "C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\WindowsMedia Player\wmplayer.exe"

You can create a shortcut to it in the usual way.

bsfreely · Apr 8, 2023

Thanks @bobkn , that works with the old "legacy" media player. But I can't figure out how to do it for the new one. It's annoying!
Brian F.

bobkn · Apr 8, 2023

My apologies. I failed to notice that was just the legacy media player.

In my system, the new one is: "C:\ProgramFiles\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ZuneMusic_11.2301.27.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Microsoft.Media.Player.exe"

You may have to modify the WindowsApps folder's permissions to go there, though.

I tried it. I was able to create a desktop shortcut, which opened the new Media Player.

(Interesting. I once was able to launch it by typing Zune into the search box, but that no longer works.)

TM21 · Apr 8, 2023

Apologies!

I suggested that from the Context menu you click on "Pin to Taskbar", when I should have said, click on "Create Shortcut". (But I did wind up with a nice little "Media Player" icon in my taskbar)

Then Windows will let you know that you can't create a shortcut there, and it will ask you if you want to Create a Shortcut on the Desktop. Click YES and you're done.
Sorry I screwed up my first answer. It was so simple, I must have still been half asleep.
Happy Easter, Everyone,
TM

PS: As much as I've always loved "Media Player" as opposed to some After Market players, there are still a few weird media types that it won't play. To take care of that little deficiency, I just install the "K-Lite Codec Pack". Then I can play just about everything.

bsfreely · Apr 8, 2023

Thanks @bobkn, that worked! Yes the WindowsApps folder is protected. I navigated past it using PowerShell, and the .exe was in the exact same folder that you posted.
Brian F.

Edwin · Apr 8, 2023

Drag it from the Start Menu(All apps) onto your Desktop...

Or...
paste shell:appsfolder into a Run box/Enter, find Media Player, right click, Create shortcut.....

Edit:
Try to find the Media Player icon online though, cuz the default UWP App Desktop shortcuts look like crap!

bsfreely · Apr 8, 2023

@Edwin thanks, that works too! And it comes with the proper icon. Earlier I tried to drag it from the taskbar and from the pinned apps in the start menu, but neither way worked. It does work, however, from the "All apps" list.
Brian F.

bobkn · Apr 8, 2023

Edwin said:
Drag it from the Start Menu(All apps) onto your Desktop...

View attachment 57454

Or...
paste shell:appsfolder into a Run box/Enter, find Media Player, right click, Create shortcut.....

Edit:
Try to find the Media Player icon online though, cuz the default UWP App Desktop shortcuts look like crap!

View attachment 57456

Interesting.

If you do that, a "link" is created, rather than a "shortcut". (The basic utility seems to be the same.)

Reminds me that I know nothing about UWP apps.

Solved Desktop shortcut for new Windows 11 Media player

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