Play an audio or video file

You can use Windows Media Player to play digital media files that are in your Player Library, on your computer or a network folder, or on a website.

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Play an audio or video file: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about playing audio or video files in Windows Media Player. What can I do about audio problems, such as popping, crackling, or sound that plays too fast or too slow? What can I do about video problems, such as lines appearing in the video, flickering or choppy video, and so on? Why does the Player display a visualization instead of the video (or display an error message) when I play a video file? How do I make Windows Media Player the default player for a file type? Why do I get an error when I try to play streams from certain servers? Why does Windows Media Player frequently become unresponsive or close unexpectedly? How do I prevent videos from automatically playing in full-screen mode?

Play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player
In Windows Media Player, you can play audio CDs, data CDs, and data DVDs that contain music or video files (also known as media CDs). You can also play video CDs (VCDs), which are similar to DVDs, although the video quality isn't as high. If you have a DVD drive and a compatible DVD decoder installed on your computer, you can use Windows Media Player to play a DVD-Video disc-this is the type of DVD that movies are distributed on. If you encounter an error indicating that you are missing a DVD decoder, click Web Help on the error message dialog box to determine how to obtain a decoder. Watch this video to learn how to play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Player.

Unable to view Video in VLC Media Player problem
VLC Media Player which is one of the widely used media player as it can play a plethora of audio and video formats, may not display video when played in Windows 7. However this can be fixed via simple setting.

Playing music in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about playing music and other audio files in Windows Media Center. How do I make my music appear in Media Center? Why doesn't album information (such as cover art) display? Why isn't there sound? Why doesn't a music file play? How do I play an audio CD or DVD in Media Center? Is there a graphic equalizer in Media Center so I can fine-tune the way my music sounds?

Play To
Play To, new in Windows 7, makes it easy to play music and video on other networked PCs, TVs, or stereos around the house. Just right-click the tracks you want to enjoy, or add them to your Windows Media Player 12 playlist, and select Play To-now you're a DJ.

Codecs: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about codecs. What is a codec? Which codecs are included with the Player? Why do I get a message that says my computer is missing a codec? How do I find a codec? What is a DVD decoder? Why can't I play a file at work that I can play at home? I installed a missing codec, but I still can't play the file. Why? How do I tell which codecs are installed on my computer? How do I tell which codec was used to compress a file and what format a file is in? Are codecs and file formats the same?

Playing videos in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about playing videos in Windows Media Center. Why won't a video file play? Why can't I fast-forward or rewind a video? Why don't I see a video that I downloaded in Media Center?

Play a CD or DVD in Windows Media Center
In Windows Media Center, you can play audio CDs and DVD movies. You can also play data CDs and DVDs (discs that contain digital media files, such as MP3, WMV, and JPEG files). Playing CDs and DVDs in Media Center is best experienced using a Media Center remote control. Make sure that the type of Media Center remote control you use is compatible with your computer.

File types supported by Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center can play many different music, video, and picture file types. You can even make Media Center the default player for specific types of files so that they'll open in Media Center when you double-click them.

Using the Play To feature to stream media
You can use the Play To feature to stream video, music, or picture files stored on your computer to a separate playback device on your home network. That device could be another computer, TV, or stereo connected to your network. You can use the Play To feature in Window Media Player or anywhere you store media files on your computer.

Shuffle and repeat items in Windows Media Player
In Windows Media Player, items that you play appear in the list pane in Now Playing mode and in the Player Library. You can change the order in which the items play by turning on shuffle, which will make items play in a random order. You can also choose to play the items repeatedly. When you turn on repeat, all items in the list pane will play once and then begin playing again. You can also turn on both shuffle and repeat at the same time. It's not possible to shuffle or repeat DVDs. Watch this video to learn how to shuffle and repeat in Windows Media Player.

Rip music from a CD
You can use Windows Media Player to copy songs from audio CDs to your computer. This process is called ripping. During the ripping process, the Player makes a copy of each song, stores it on your hard disk as a Windows Media Audio (WMA), MP3, or WAV file, and then adds it to your Player Library.

Copy and paste a file
When you copy and paste a file , you're making a duplicate of the original file that you can then modify independently of the original file. If you copy and paste a file to a different location on your computer, it's a good idea to give it a different name so that you'll remember which file is new and which file is the original. Watch this video to learn how to copy and paste a file.

Change bass, stereo, and other audio effects in Windows Media Player
In Windows Media Player, you can optimize bass, stereo, and other audio effects by turning on SRS WOW Effects. You can also use the graphic equalizer to adjust the levels of certain frequencies in your music or select Dolby Digital audio settings for different types of playback scenarios.

View a video using the entire screen in Windows Media Player
If you want a video, TV show, DVD, or visualization to fill the entire screen when you play it, switch to full-screen mode in Windows Media Player. When the Player is in full-screen mode, you can control playback with the on-screen controls that appear at the bottom of the video screen.

Internet Spades: how to play
Invented in the United States in the 1930s, Spades remains one of the most popular trick-taking card games-and ideal for online play. Now you can play this game against other people over the Internet.

Print a document or file
The quickest way to print a document or file is to print using Windows. You don't have to open any programs or change any settings. Watch this video to learn how to print a document or file.

Open the Playing Audio troubleshooter
If your computer is having problems playing sound, try using the Playing Audio troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common problems with your volume settings, your sound card or driver, and your speakers or headphones.

Open the Recording Audio troubleshooter
If your computer is having problems recording sound, try using the Recording Audio troubleshooter to fix the problem. It checks for common issues, such as making sure that both a working sound card and a recording device are installed on your computer.

What happened to Windows Import Video?
Windows Import Video is not included in this version of Windows. To import live or recorded video from a videotape in a digital video (DV) camera, you will need another video program from Microsoft or another company.

Radio in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
With the right equipment, you can play FM radio in Windows Media Center. Here are answers to some common questions about playing FM radio in Windows Media Center. What do I need to play FM radio in Media Center? Why doesn't my FM radio play? Why did the FM radio stop playing unexpectedly? Why doesn't fast forward or rewind work when I'm playing FM radio? Why can't I see the option to play FM radio on the start screen? Where can I find Internet radio stations in Media Center?

Add items to the Windows Media Player Library
You can use the Windows Media Player Library to organize your entire digital media collection on your computer, including music, video, and pictures. After you add files to your Player Library, you can play the files, burn mix CDs, create playlists, sync the files to portable music and video players, and stream the files to other devices on your home network. There are several methods you can use to add files to your Player Library:

Internet Checkers: how to play
Checkers is one of the oldest and most popular board games. Now you can play against other people over the Internet.

Convert a recorded TV file (.wtv) to an older format
When a TV show is recorded in Windows Media Center, it's saved as a Windows Recorded TV Show file with the file name extension .wtv, in the Public Recorded TV folder (usually found at C:\Users\Public). Older versions of Windows used a different file format for recorded TV with the .dvr-ms extension. Files with the .wtv extension aren't supported in previous versions of Windows, as well as some third-party programs. However, you can convert your .wtv files to .dvr-ms files so that they'll play in programs that support the older format.

Connect a microphone, music player, or other audio device to your computer
You can connect a microphone, portable music player, or other audio device to your computer by using one of the jacks on the front, back, or side of your computer. These jacks directly connect to your computer's sound card or sound processor.

Internet Backgammon: how to play
Backgammon is a popular two-player board game with pieces called stones. The deceivingly simple goal? Move all your stones off the table first. Now you can play this game against other people over the Internet.

Burning a CD
This video shows you how to burn a music CD, a data disc, or a live file system disc.

Touch Pack: How to play Microsoft Rebound
Microsoft Rebound is a game in which you use your fingertips to move Tesla balls with an electrical field between them to try and catapult a metal game ball into your opponent's goal. Play against the computer or challenge a friend and battle it out in the electronic court for the championship of the Microsoft Rebound circuit.

Change which programs Windows uses by default
A default program is the program that Windows uses when you open a particular type of file, such as a music file, an image, or a webpage. For example, if you have more than one web browser installed on your computer, you can choose one of them to be the default browser. Watch this video to learn how to change which programs Windows uses by default.

Find items in the Windows Media Player Library
You can use Windows Media Player to quickly find and play your music, video, and picture files. You can also find where media files are stored in your computer's media libraries or jump to music in the same album.

Open a file or folder
You can open a file or folder in Windows to perform a variety of tasks, such as editing the information in a file or making a copy of a file or folder. To open a file, you must have a program that is associated with it. Typically, this is the same program that was used to create the file.

Playing DVDs in Windows Media Center: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about playing DVDs in Windows Media Center. Why isn't there sound when watching a DVD? Why is the video distorted when watching a DVD? Why won't a DVD play? Why is the movie information or cover art for my DVD wrong or missing? Why does a different program open every time I insert a DVD in my computer?

Choose which games children can play
You can use Parental Controls to control which games your children are allowed to play on your computer. You can block: All games. Specific games of your choosing. Specific games based on age ratings. Specific games based on content ratings. These four methods can be used in combination.

Windows Media Center Extenders: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about using a Windows Media Center Extender. What are Extenders? I already have an Extender device. Will it work with Windows 7? What if my Extender won't connect to my computer during or after setup? Why won't certain albums, video files, or TV programs play on my Extender? Why does a Network Issue notification often appear when I use my Extender? Why does my Extender perform slowly? What happens if I lose the connection between my Extender and my computer? What Media Center features aren't available when using an Extender? Where else can I find help for my Extender?

What is a hidden file?
Although you usually can't see a hidden file, it's an ordinary file in all other respects. You can choose whether a file is hidden or visible by changing its properties. Here's how to do this:

Tips for fixing common sound problems
Here are solutions to some common sound problems on your computer. These solutions can also help if you don't hear any sound from your speakers, portable music player, or other external audio device connected to your computer. I can't hear sound from my computer. Sound from my speakers is crackling or distorted. I have a sound card in my computer, but Windows doesn't recognize it. I found a new driver for my sound card, but I'm not sure how to install it. I'm having trouble installing my sound card and wonder if it's compatible with Windows 7. I'm having trouble getting a portable music player, microphone, or other audio device to work with my computer. I've tried all the solutions here and still can't get my sound to work properly.

How to Manually Sync Your Offline
When you make a network file, or all files in a network folder, available offline, Windows creates a copy of the file or folder on your computer. This is called an offline file. The next time you disconnect from the network, you'll still be able to open, modify, and save the file the same way you would if you were still connected. And when you do connect to the network again, Windows will automatically sync the offline file on your computer with the corresponding file on the network for the latest changes.

How do I prevent a file from syncing to a device in Windows Media Player?
If your device syncs automatically with Windows Media Player and you want to exclude a particular file from syncing to the device, you can choose to skip the file. You have several options for skipping files: deleting the file from the device, removing the file from a playlist that automatically syncs to the device, and removing a file that has an error condition.

Change the default music or video player
After installing a new music or video player, you might find that your music and videos open in the new program instead of your old, favorite program. If so, you can change the settings in Windows so that your music and videos open again in your favorite player. Watch this video to learn how to change the default music or video player.

Resize a picture using Paint
You can change the size or resolution of a digital picture by changing: The number of pixels; The file size. Watch this video to learn how to resize a picture using Paint.

Play an audio or video file

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