Windows Media Player (2022)

A new Media Player from Microsoft was first leaked in September 2021, a few days before the retail release of Windows 11.^[3] It was eventually released on November 16, 2021, to Windows 11 Insider (testing) channels,^[4] with Windows 11 initially shipping without the new Media Player. Eventually it started rolling out to all Windows 11 users as a software update in January 2022.^[5][6]

Media Player is the successor to Groove Music (previously Xbox Music), Microsoft Movies & TV, and the original Windows Media Player. Unlike the first two, Media Player is a straightforward player for local content and not tied in with an online media service.^[7]

The new Media Player was later released to Windows 10 users in January 2023 and replaced Groove Music through an update.^[8]

Media Player, a UWP app built on Groove Music, adds support for video files, as part of Groove Music's rebranding from a music streaming service to a media player.^[9] Other changes to the app include the album cover view being in fullscreen, and a refresh to the mini player.^[10] Accessibility has also been optimized in this new version, with some improved keyboard shortcuts and hotkey support for keyboard users and with other assistive technologies.^[11]

Some features from the original Windows Media Player were initially not included, such as DLNA local streaming and the ripping of CDs. Ripping was eventually reintroduced in July 2022 for Windows 11, supporting the AAC, WMA, FLAC, and ALAC formats.^[12]

This is a list of known supported formats in Media Player on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It generally support every Media Foundation codec out-of-the-box or installed app via Microsoft Store.^[13][14][15]