Windows Media Player was removed from Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (November 2017). Microsoft would rather you use their new FILMS & TV app but if you would like to use it there is an easy way to get it back.
To Install Windows Media Player In Windows 10 Fall Creators Update:
Launch APPS & FEATURES (I just RIGHT click on the START button and click APPS & FEATURES)
Click MANAGE OPTIONAL FEATURES
Click ADD A FEATURE
Wait wait wait for the list to be created and then scroll to the very bottom
Click on WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER
Click INSTALL
Have a nice day
Note that using the old PROGRAMS & FEATURES interface to add MEDIA has no effect.
I had a weird case where going through Start > Settings > Apps and Features > Manage optional features > Add Feature and then clicking on windows media player wouldn't install for me. It was there to click on as a feature, but when I would click on it the process would fail and it would go right back into optional features again like I hadn't clicked on anything at all. I figured out that I had to copy and paste the "Media.WindowsMediaPlayer~~12.0.mum" file from C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\FodMetadata\metadata into C:\Windows\servicing\Packages first. Once I did that, I was able to add the optional feature sucessfully. Just figured I'd comment on what took me a very long time to figure out incase there's anyone else out there expereincing the same problem. I'm not running the N or K version of win10.
Same as with Steve: "...no Windows Media Player under add a feature on my PC"
Running Windows 10 Pro (not Windows 10 Pro N), v.1803
I just checked my 1809 build of Win 10 Pro and found the instructions provided still apply as such I am at a loss as to why you do not see it. I also checked the MICROSOFT STORE and did NOT see it there (although I expect that is where it will end up in the next few builds).
Do you see THAI SUPPLEMENTAL FONTS as shown in the screen shot?
Thanks. It works for me. Nice solution.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your article, after numerous attempts and searches your tip was the only one that worked for me. I had uninstalled WMP from my system for a test and could not through any other way get it back. Thank you.
There is no Windows Media Player under add a feature on my PC.
I just checked my lastest version of Windows 10 beta (will go public in Sept 2018) and it still has WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER in the same place, just like it is shown in the screen shots.
Are you in Europe? EU versions of Windows end with the letter N (i.e., Windows 10 Home N). The N stands for NOTHING. To meet EU regulations IE and Media Player have been removed, but I thought they could easily be turned back on. Unfortunately I do not have a N copy so I cannot proved this.
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I had a weird case where going through Start > Settings > Apps and Features > Manage optional features > Add Feature and then clicking on windows media player wouldn't install for me. It was there to click on as a feature, but when I would click on it the process would fail and it would go right back into optional features again like I hadn't clicked on anything at all. I figured out that I had to copy and paste the "Media.WindowsMediaPlayer~~12.0.mum" file from C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\FodMetadata\metadata into C:\Windows\servicing\Packages first. Once I did that, I was able to add the optional feature sucessfully. Just figured I'd comment on what took me a very long time to figure out incase there's anyone else out there expereincing the same problem. I'm not running the N or K version of win10.
Same as with Steve: "...no Windows Media Player under add a feature on my PC"
Running Windows 10 Pro (not Windows 10 Pro N), v.1803
I just checked my 1809 build of Win 10 Pro and found the instructions provided still apply as such I am at a loss as to why you do not see it. I also checked the MICROSOFT STORE and did NOT see it there (although I expect that is where it will end up in the next few builds).
Do you see THAI SUPPLEMENTAL FONTS as shown in the screen shot?
Thanks. It works for me. Nice solution.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your article, after numerous attempts and searches your tip was the only one that worked for me. I had uninstalled WMP from my system for a test and could not through any other way get it back. Thank you.
There is no Windows Media Player under add a feature on my PC.
I just checked my lastest version of Windows 10 beta (will go public in Sept 2018) and it still has WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER in the same place, just like it is shown in the screen shots.
Are you in Europe? EU versions of Windows end with the letter N (i.e., Windows 10 Home N). The N stands for NOTHING. To meet EU regulations IE and Media Player have been removed, but I thought they could easily be turned back on. Unfortunately I do not have a N copy so I cannot proved this.