Windows 10: Problem playing older videos on Windows Media Player

Hello


I have a large number of videos from years past stored on a portable hard drive, which always used to play on Windows Media Player on my computer with no problem. However, now when I plug this portable hard drive into my computer and try to play these videos, Windows Media Player will not recognize and will not play these videos. This is hugely concerning as there are many precious videos of family and work events that I wish to keep long term. I have Windows 10, but the videos were made and stored in earlier years. Can you please advise how I can overcome this problem?


Many thanks


Julia B

:)

 

windows media player

Hi,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Communities.

What is the exact error message you get when you to try play files on Windows Media Player?

I suggest you to run both Windows Media Player Library and Settings troubleshooter and check.

Step 1: If your computer is having problems playing video or audio files in Windows Media Player, try using the Windows Media Player Settings troubleshooter to fix the problem. The troubleshooter checks the configuration and network settings
for Windows Media Player to make sure that you can play content you've downloaded and saved to your computer, or content streaming over a network or the Internet.

Steps to run Windows Media Player Settings troubleshooter are as follows:

• Press Windows key + X and select Control Panel.
• In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click
  Troubleshooting.
• Click View all, and then click Windows Media Player Settings
  and follow the instructions.

Step 2: If your computer is having problems accessing your collection of digital media files in the Windows Media Player Library, try using the Windows Media Player Library troubleshooter to fix the problem. The troubleshooter makes sure
Windows Media Player is correctly installed on your computer, and checks to see whether your Player Library is corrupted.

Steps to run Windows Media Player Settings troubleshooter are as follows:

• Press Windows key + X and select Control Panel.
  
• In the search box, type troubleshooter, and then click
  Troubleshooting.
• Click View all, and then click Windows Media Player Library
  and follow the instructions.

• • 
    

Please reply us on the status of the issue to assist you further.

 

HELP! Windows Media Player Problem

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/243621

that covers up to version 10... let me see if its diffrent for the newer versions


EDit:

here is how to clear the frequent list.
http://www.blogsdna.com/4086/how-to...edia-player-12-frequent-list-in-windows-7.htm

and here is how to clear the history
http://www.downloadatoz.com/essenti...ar-the-windows-media-player-12-history_g.html

and from the last link is the same error where you can just disable it too =)

 

Windows Media Player on Windows 10 - Cannot play video because there is a problem with your video card after pausing and resuming

Hi Smith,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community and being a part of Windows 10.

I understand your concern about accessing videos from Windows Media Player. We will help you with this issue.

Let us know the following to assist you better with this issue:

• Is this issue confined to any specific video?
• What is the make and model of your computer?
• How exactly have you tried to re-install the video card drivers?
• Were you able to access any other videos normally on your computer?

We appreciate your effort and time spent in resolving the issue. Try the below and check if it helps.

Step 1: I suggest you to run Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter, if not yet deployed.

Windows Media Player DVD troubleshooter find and fix problems with playing DVDs in Windows Media Player.

Steps:

• Press Windows key, type troubleshooting
  and select it.
• Click on View all in the left pane.
• Click onWindows Media Player DVD and follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 2: I suggest you to run
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
as it checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device options from the list.
  
• Click Next to run the Hardware and Device
  Troubleshooter.

Also refer to the Microsoft article to know more about: Windows
Media Player

Hope it helps. Reply to the post with the required information and an updated status of this issue, we will be happy to assist you further.