Windows 10: Windows Media Player no longer adding certain videos to library

I still use Windows Media Player and after moving files to a new drive, I had to add some folders back to WMP. Expected behavior: WMP adds files in those folders to the library. Observed behavior: it does not add all of them.

This used to work before with the same files (?!), I don't get it why it is not recognizing certain files anymore. Funny thing is, it plays the files just fine (most of them mp4), it just will not add them to the library.

I tried troubleshooting via built-in tool. Manually deleted library database file. "Uninstalled" WMP and added it again, no luck.

Is MS finally tired of me still using WMP? Unfortunately, there are no good alternatives. Software that will play audio and video and have a good library component as well (with 16:9 thumbnails for videos).

Does anyone have any ideas? About the issue and alternatives.

:)

 

Libraries?? What's the difference between Windows Media Player Libraries and File Explorer Libraries?

Hi Community,

I am trying to find out

1: how to use Windows 10 File Explorer libraries?

2: what libraries are for?

3: how Windows 10 File Explorer libraries are different or similar to Windows Media Player libraries?

4: Where does Windows Media Player get its media database from?

I see Libraries listed in File Explorer and the subfolders Music, Pictures, Videos.

I have found out how to add folders to them. (by right clicking the folder I want to add and clicking 'include in library', then choose the appropriate library for the file type).

When I open Windows Media Player, I can choose Music, Pictures or Video from the list on the left of the player. However, the files in Windows Media Player Video Library are not the same ones as the files I've added to the File Explorer Video Library.

Any helpful advice appreciated.

 

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.

 

Broken Windows Media Player

Hi,

Have you tried running the troubleshooter for WMP? If not, we suggest that you try to run the troubleshooter and
see if it helps. To run the troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• 
  On the search bar, type
  Troubleshooting.
  
• 
  Click on
  Programs.
  
• 
  Under
  Media
  Player, click on
  Windows Media Player Settings
  and
  Windows Media Player Library.
  

Let us know how it goes.

Regards.