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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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?

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What can I control with Parental Controls?
You can use Parental Controls to set limits on the hours that children can use the computer, the types of games they can play, and the programs they can run.

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Diagnosing basic problems with DirectX
If you're having problems getting a game or movie to play properly, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool can help you pinpoint the source. DirectX is a suite of technologies used by many of the multimedia programs in Windows.

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Touch Pack: How to play Microsoft Blackboard
Blackboard is an intricate game of physics in which you solve a puzzle by creating a fanciful machine on a blackboard. You'll test your mind as you use gears, fans, seesaws, and other objects to propel the balloons and balls toward the light bulbs and victory.

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Touch Pack: How to play Microsoft Garden Pond
This game takes place in the serene Japanese water gardens of Garden Pond. Gently guide your origami pieces to peaceful areas on the pond or direct them through a challenging obstacle course.

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Learn about Windows games
Windows comes with a variety of games to play. There are board games, card games, multiplayer Internet games, and even games for kids. You'll find them all in the Games folder. To start playing, just open the folder and double-click a game icon.

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Listen to iPod music via Windows 7 system Speakers
It will be a great idea to play your iPod songs and music via speakers connected to the system. Windows 7 provides you with this facility. You just need to use a simple trick.

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View pictures and videos in Windows Media Center
With Windows Media Center, you can play home videos and view your digital photos in a number of fun ways.

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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.

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Work and play better with multiple monitors
If you're looking for easy ways to improve your computing experience, one item that belongs near the top of any list is a second monitor. When you hook two monitors up to a computer, an interesting thing happens.Suddenly you'll spend a lot less time flipping through open files, programs, and emails, hunting for what you want. With all of that screen real estate spread out before you, you'll soon realize how much time you used to waste switching windows and looking for things. You'll then ask yourself, "How did I ever get by with just one monitor? "

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Windows Media Player Library
The Player Library is the location in Windows Media Player where you can manage all of your favorite music, videos, and pictures on your computer. It lets you easily find and play your digital media files, as well as choose content that you want to burn to a CD or sync to a portable device. To learn more about using the Player Library, click one of the following links:

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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.

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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.

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Change computer sounds
You can have your computer play a sound when certain events occur on your computer. (An event can be an action that you perform, such as logging on to your computer, or an action that your computer performs, such as alerting you when you receive new email.) Windows comes with several sound schemes (a collection of related sounds) for common events. Additionally, some desktop themes have their own sound schemes .

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Listen to music in Windows Media Center
Most people think of watching and recording TV when they think of Windows Media Center, but did you know that Media Center is also a great way to listen to music? You can use Windows Media Center to play your favorite songs, create playlists for parties, and even watch a slide show of your pictures while the music plays.

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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?

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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?

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Getting started with Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player provides an intuitive, easy-to-use interface to play digital media files, organize your digital media collection, burn CDs of your favorite music, rip music from CDs, sync digital media files to a portable device, and shop for digital media content from online stores.

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Game ratings and content descriptors: frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions about game ratings and content descriptors. What are game ratings? What are age ratings? What are content descriptors? How do I find out what a game's rating and content descriptors are? What does "content may change during online play" mean?

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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?

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Set up Parental Controls
You can use Parental Controls to help manage how your children use the computer. For example, you can set limits on the hours that your children can use the computer, the games they can play, and the programs they can run. When Parental Controls blocks access to a game or program, a notification is displayed that the program has been blocked. Your child can click a link in the notification to request permission for access to that game or program. You can allow access by entering your account information.

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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.

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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:

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Creating slide shows with music in Windows Media Center
Every party needs a little background music to set the mood, but have you ever considered background photos? With Windows Media Center, you can have both. You can use Media Center to play slide shows of your favorite photos-along with background music-on your computer. This is especially cool if you're computer is connected to a TV. A Media Center slide show can completely change the dynamic of your living room for parties and get-togethers.

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Which protocols does Windows Media Player use for streaming?
You can use Windows Media Player to play digital media content that is streamed from the Internet. To ensure that a server running Windows Media Services can establish the best connection to the Player, the Player is configured to receive automatic streams from any of the following streaming protocols (depending on the network environment): User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). UDP and TCP are basic networking protocols that are used in combination with the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) to manage the high-level exchange of data. The Player can also receive a multicast stream.

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Create or change an auto playlist in Windows Media Player
An auto playlist in Windows Media Player is a type of playlist that automatically changes according to criteria you've specified. It also updates itself each time you open it. For example, if there is a certain artist you like to listen to, you can create an auto playlist that will automatically add new music by that artist when it appears in the Player Library. You can use auto playlists to play different combinations of music in your Player Library, burn grouped items to a CD, or sync to a portable device. You can create your own auto playlists, as well as regular playlists, in the Player Library. Watch this video to learn how to create or change an auto playlist in Windows Media Player (1:45).

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Stream your media over the Internet using Windows Media Player
You can use Windows Media Player to stream media from a home computer that stores digital media files to another computer connected to the Internet so you can access your media anywhere. Internet access to home media, or remote media streaming, frees you from having to transport large media files on your laptop or digital media player if you want to play them on the go. Remote media streaming also allows you to use a laptop with limited storage capacity to access a potentially large media collection on a desktop computer or home server.

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