Apps Install or Uninstall Windows Media Player Legacy app in Windows 11

  • Thread starter Thread starter Brink
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Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to install or uninstall the "Windows Media Player Legacy" app for all users in Windows 11.

Windows 11 includes the new Windows Media Player app from the Microsoft Store by default.

Windows 11 also includes the old Windows Media Player Legacy desktop app if you prefer to use it instead of the newer Media Player app.

The Windows Media Player Legacy EXE file is located at: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe"

Reference:

Troubleshoot Windows Media Player Errors - Microsoft Support

Learn how to troubleshoot Windows Media Player errors. Explore resources for general help with Windows Media Player.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

Troubleshoot Windows Media Player Errors - Microsoft Support

Learn how to troubleshoot Windows Media Player errors. Explore resources for general help with Windows Media Player.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

Troubleshoot Windows Media Player Errors - Microsoft Support

Learn how to troubleshoot Windows Media Player errors. Explore resources for general help with Windows Media Player.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

You must be signed in as an administrator to install or uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)".


N editions of Windows include the same functionality as other editions of Windows, except for media-related technologies, Windows Media Player, and certain preinstalled media apps (Groove, Movies & TV, Voice Recorder, and Skype). N editions will need to install the Media Feature Pack to restore these excluded technologies.




Contents

  • Option One: Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in Settings
  • Option Two: Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in Windows Features
  • Option Three: Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" using DISM Command
  • Option Four: Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in PowerShell


EXAMPLE: Windows Media Player Legacy app

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy.png





Option One

Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Optional features on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-1.png

3 Do step 4 (install) or step 5 (uninstall) below for what you want.

4 Install "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"

A) Click/tap on the View features button. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-4.png

B) Check Windows Media Player Legacy (App), and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-5.png

C) Click/tap on Add to confirm. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-6.png

D) When Windows Media Player Legacy (App) has finished being added, you can close Settings if you like. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-7.png

5 Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"

A) Under Added features, click/tap on Windows Media Player Legacy (App) to expand it open, and click/tap on the Remove button. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-2.png

B) When Windows Media Player Legacy (App) has finished being removed, you can close Settings if you like. (see screenshot below)​

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Settings-3.png




Option Two

Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in Windows Features


1 Open Windows Features (OptionalFeatures.exe).

2 Expand open Media Features. (see screenshot below step 3)

3 Check (install) and uncheck (uninstall) Windows Media Player Legacy (App) for what you want. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Windows-Features-1.png

4 If you unchecked Windows Media Player Legacy (App), then click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Windows-Features-2.png

5 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Windows-Features-3.png

6 Windows Media Player Legacy (App) will now be installed or uninstalled. Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_Windows-Features-4.png




Option Three

Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" using DISM Command


1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below you want to use into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

Install "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:"WindowsMediaPlayer" /All

OR

Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"
DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:"WindowsMediaPlayer"

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_DISM-2.png
Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_DISM-1.png





Option Four

Install or Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)" in PowerShell


1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command below you want to use into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

Install "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "WindowsMediaPlayer" -All -Online

OR

Uninstall "Windows Media Player Legacy (App)"
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "WindowsMediaPlayer" -Online

Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_PowerShell-2.png
Windows_Media_Player_Legacy_PowerShell-1.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
@dacrone Yes, for anyone who wants to install WMP Legacy and have a start menu entry, this method does work.
 

My Computers My Computers

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
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    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
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    32 gb
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    integrated
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    1TB Crucial nvme
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    Logitech wired
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    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
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    Firefox
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    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Hi Brink, if I uninstall Windows Media Player Legacy (App) using Option 2, would doing so get rid of the two entries related to the legacy player in the Context Menu?

kj.webp


Also, I searched for tutorials from you to get rid of only the two entries in Context menu, but couldn't find them. I found the tutorials for W10, but not for W11. Are there tutorials from you that are available regarding eliminating this entries for W11?

Thanks

Bo
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows1116GB
OS
Windows11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
Memory
16GB
Keyboard
HP 310
Mouse
HP
Browser
Firefox
bo elam said:
Hi Brink, if I uninstall Windows Media Player Legacy (App) using Option 2, would doing so get rid of the two entries related to the legacy player in the Context Menu?

View attachment 143528

Also, I searched for tutorials from you to get rid of only the two entries in Context menu, but couldn't find them. I found the tutorials for W10, but not for W11. Are there tutorials from you that are available regarding eliminating this entries for W11?

Thanks

Bo
Click to expand...

Hello Bo, :alien:

Uninstalling the app should remove its context menu items.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
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    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
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    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
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    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
Brink said:
Uninstalling the app should remove its context menu items.
Click to expand...
It did remove the items, Brink.

I knew what to do but seeing your tutorial gave me the confidence that it is OK to uninstall the old WMP. I have three video player, all installed in Sandboxes (Sandboxie), and they all appear to be working fine after rebooting the computer. Again, thanks a lot big guy. :cool:(y)

Bo
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows1116GB
OS
Windows11
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
HP
Memory
16GB
Keyboard
HP 310
Mouse
HP
Browser
Firefox
bo elam said:
It did remove the items, Brink.

I knew what to do but seeing your tutorial gave me the confidence that it is OK to uninstall the old WMP. I have three video player, all installed in Sandboxes (Sandboxie), and they all appear to be working fine after rebooting the computer. Again, thanks a lot big guy. :cool:(y)

Bo
Click to expand...

Great news. :shawn:
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro for WorkstationsIntel i7-8700K 5 GHz64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600...ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GD...
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    TerraMaster F8 SSD Plus NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Amazon Basics Wired Full Keyboard MD005
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 4
    Internet Speed
    2 Gbps Download and 100 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
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