Windows Media Player disappeared after update? Here's how to get it back

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Windows Media Player

It is already known that the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will get rid of some of the oldest programs in the Windows ecosystem, such as Paint. However, it appears that list might be longer than we expected. Windows Insiders are already testing the Fall Creators Update and, after receiving the KB4046355 update, discovered that Windows Media Player is no longer available.

After the update the WMP is completely gone, the C:Program Files (x86)Windows Media Player” folder only has a “wmp.dll” file. Currently on build 16299.0.

Right now, we do not have any official information from Microsoft but we are waiting for an announcement. However, it is not hard to understand why they decided to remove it, since there are many other alternatives including third-party players.

How to reinstall Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player users might have been scared by the news, but it appears that Windows Media Player is not gone forever. While it is true that it will not come installed by default in the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, there is a way to get it on your computer once again.

Here is what you have to do:

  1. Go to the Settings app.
  2. Open Apps > Apps & features and then select “manage optional features”
  3. Once you are there, select the “Add a feature” option.
  4. Scroll down all the way to the bottom of the screen and you should find Windows Media Player.
  5. The program will be listed as an optional feature. Select it and click the install button.
  6. In less than a minute, the installation should be complete and you will be able to use Windows Media Player once again on your computer.

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More about the topics: windows 10 creators update