WMP Problem

[jollyjohn]

G'day

Is there a way to disable/uninstall WMP from Windows 7 64 Ultimate? If yes. Is it wise to do it? Would interfere with any system processes or files needed by OS?


Thanks


John

[DB83]

The real question is why ?

If it is a case of file association then simply remove those.

If Win7 works like other previous versions, WMP is just a self-contained program and can be un-installed from the add/remove (or equivilant) programs application

[jollyjohn]

Thanks, mate.

[redwudz]

I don't think you can uninstall WMP in W7 as it's integrated into Windows and won't show up on the 'Uninstall' page.

But you can turn Windows Media Player off in W7. Go to 'Control Panel>Programs and features>Turn Windows features on or off'. Scroll down the list to 'Media features'. Uncheck 'Windows Media Player'. You can also uncheck 'Media Center' and 'DVD Maker' if you don't use them or they may uncheck themselves after WMP is off. Then wait... Then restart. WMP should be disabled.

And you can change the default player for files or DVDs. With Windows 7, go to 'Control Panel>Default Programs>Set your default programs'
and change the default player to what you want. VLC is one choice that will play most anything.

If you disable WMP, optical drives should default to your new selected player when you L Click on them. I chose VLC.

[DB83]

@redwudz

That is interesting. But I wonder what happens if and when M$ issue new versions of the player. How can they integrate in to the OS from a simple install as opposed to a OS update?

I do note that in XP in the Add/Remove Windows Compenents there is a Media Player entry which is 'ticked' in my system but has zero bytes.

[usually_quiet]

@redwudz

That is interesting. But I wonder what happens if and when M$ issue new versions of the player. How can they integrate in to the OS from a simple install as opposed to a OS update?

I do note that in XP in the Add/Remove Windows Compenents there is a Media Player entry which is 'ticked' in my system but has zero bytes.

I doubt that Microsoft will issue any new versions of WMP. They appear to be moving in a different direction. They included WMP in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 but it is only a music player unless you install Windows Media Center too. I expect Microsoft will retire WMP in OS releases after Windows 8, and just offer some players in the App Store.

[Krispy Kritter]

New versions wouldn't matter as they would simply assume the function of the existing version. This is no different than any other software which allows you to upgrade without uninstalling.