Windows 10: Issues with Windows Media Player Legacy in Win 11

I have a fairly recent HP TP01-2000a desktop, running Win 11. When I insert a commercial CD in the DVD RW drive, File Explorer will only show default? data about the disk "Track 01" name; "12/31/1994" date; etc.. If I select a track/try to open/run with WMP Legacy, the player opens - but nothing happens, with the play button shaded out. If I select to go to the library, the menu's disc icon shows "Unknown G" - which is odd, as the drive is designated as item "E" in Explorer/This PC. If I click on the drive icon, I get "This disc is empty" in the info field. I should note that - up

:)

 

Legacy Media Player for Windows 11

Hello NealCassady,

Good to see you in Microsoft Community.

It seems you're experiencing issues with the legacy Windows Media Player in Windows 11, specifically with syncing new material to the library and having it show up consistently.

Firstly, could you let me know the specific system version? You can check it by pressing the Win key + R key, and typing "winver", then press Enter, please take a screenshot/photo of it, and only send the relevant information without PII in the next reply.

Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and address the problem:

1. Check Library Locations:
   
   Make sure that the folders containing your music files are included in the media library locations. To do this:
   
   1. Open Windows Media Player.
      
   2. Go to the "Organize" menu and select "Manage libraries" > "Music".
      
   3. Ensure that the folders containing your music files are listed. If they're not, add them.
      
2. Library Update:
   
   Sometimes, Windows Media Player might not automatically update the library. You can manually trigger a library update:
   
   1. Open Windows Media Player.
      
   2. Go to the "Organize" menu and select "Apply media information changes".
      
   3. This should initiate a scan and update of your library.
      
3. Rebuild Library:
   
   Since you've mentioned that you've rebuilt the library already, you might want to try it again to ensure all data is up to date:
   
   1. Open Windows Media Player.
      
   2. Go to the "Organize" menu and select "Manage libraries" > "Music."
      
   3. Remove the folders containing your music files from the list.
      
   4. Close Windows Media Player.
      
   5. Reopen Windows Media Player and re-add the folders to the library.
      
4. Check File Formats and Metadata:
   
   • Ensure that the music files you're adding are in formats supported by Windows Media Player (e.g., MP3, WMA).
     
   • Check the file metadata to ensure it's correctly tagged, as incorrect or missing metadata can sometimes lead to files not appearing in the library.
     
5. Windows 11 Updates:
   
   Keep your Windows 11 operating system up to date. Sometimes, updates can address compatibility or performance issues.
   

Remember to back up your media library and any important data before making significant changes to your library or system settings.

If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to let me know.

Best Regards,

| Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Windows Media Player Legacy will not write data to media files.

Hi Ken Quick 75，

Welcome to Microsoft Community

It sounds like you're encountering an issue with Windows Media Player Legacy in Windows 11 where changes to media file tags aren't being saved or reflected in File Explorer. This can be due to a few reasons:

1. Permissions Issues: Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to modify the files. If the files are stored in a protected directory or if you don't have administrative rights, Windows Media Player might not be able to write the changes.
   
2. File Compatibility: Check if the file format is compatible with Windows Media Player. Some formats might not support the tagging system used by Windows Media Player.
   
3. Windows Media Player Settings: There could be settings within Windows Media Player that need to be adjusted. Ensure that the option to write changes to files is enabled.
   
4. File Integrity: If the files are corrupt or if there's an issue with the file structure, Windows Media Player might not be able to write the tags properly.
   
5. Windows Media Player Version: Ensure that you're using the latest version of Windows Media Player Legacy compatible with Windows 11.
   
6. Operating System Compatibility: There might be compatibility issues with Windows Media Player Legacy and Windows 11, especially if it's an older version of the player.
   

To troubleshoot the issue:

• Run as Administrator: Try running Windows Media Player as an administrator.
  
• Check File Types: Make sure the files you are trying to tag are in a format that is supported by Windows Media Player.
  
• Inspect File Properties: Right-click on the file in File Explorer, go to Properties, and see if the file is set to 'Read-only'.
  
• Update Windows Media Player: If an update is available, install it.
  
• Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes, updating Windows can resolve compatibility issues.
  
• Try a Different Program: If possible, use a different program to edit the tags and see if the changes are reflected in File Explorer.
  

Thank you for your patience and understanding! If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a message.

Sincerely

Manson | Microsoft Support Specialist