I'd say 'it's not great, but does the job' kind of app. But the new Windows Media Player is a decent alternative for people who don't want to install a third-party app. Most tech-savvy users may prefer to use an alternative app like MPV, MPV-HC, VLC, PotPlayer, etc., for their video playback needs. Microsoft has even managed to sneak in an 'Edit with ClipChamp' option in the Media Player's context menu, to promote its video editing service. The Media Player automatically fetches album art and artist info from the internet, you may disable this behavior from the app's settings.īesides the usual playback controls that you see in most players, the app has a mini player mode (floating window), and an option to cast the media to your device wirelessly. The Music Library has tabs that you may use to browse your collection by songs, albums, and artists. The Media Player app has a sidebar on the left that you can use to jump between the home screen, music library, video library, play queue, and playlists.

Both versions are published by Microsoft, but the latter is hidden from the Store, but here's a link that takes you to the listing. The other one, which you can download for free from the Microsoft Store, is called HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer. There are two versions of it, one that costs $0.99, and is the only result that appears when you search for it. The program is compatible with most modern audio and video formats, though you will need the HEVC Video Extension Pack from the Microsoft Store, to play movies that are encoded in h.265 or x265. For example, it doesn't support YouTube videos.

The new Windows Media Player can be used to play local files, and stream music or videos by URL, though it doesn't support all services. I installed the app on a Windows 10 laptop, to compare it with the Windows 11 version, but they seem to be identical. Download it and run the installer to get the new Windows Media Player on Windows 10.

Hevc video extension windows 7