How to re-install Windows Media Player?

Hi, I recently had some problems with Windows Media Plaer in Windows Vista Home Premium, and I deleted it's folder from Program Files. I then downloaded the setup from the Microsoft website, but it says I have the latest one, and it can't be installed over it. How do I re-install WMP? I have the Vista Home Premium DVD.

Thank you.

 

I’m not sure how to reinstall it either; but if you only deleted the Program Files folder, then create a new folder called “Windows Media Player” and extract the this zip file in to it (That’s my Windows Media Player folder). Size of the Windows Media Player folder is 4mb uncompressed, which leads me to believe that the real program files are stored somewhere else (like inside Windows folder).

Next time DON’T just delete the program files folder if you run in to some problem with a program. That won’t help you fix anything. You have to either properly uninstall or reinstall.

 

Thank you good sir! Now, I have Windows Media Player back, but with the same problems that I had before!

1) The "Open with" box prompts up everytime I click a file associated with WMP. Yes, I have selected WMP in every file association option that exists in Vista, and have selected "Remember it" everywhere as well.

2) The black screen. When ever I play a video, any video, I can hear the audio, but cannot see the video (only in WMP). Before anyone asks, I have the lastest K-Lite mega codec pack installed, with every codec option check twice before installing (to avoid conflicts). Even the "Enhancement" part in the WMP, the part with Color Chooser, Equaliser etc, when selected, is not shown. Only a divider, the previous/next arrows, and a black screen.


How do I remove WMP 11 and re-install it?

 

Well who says Microsoft doesn't help it's customers???? I had the solution of the problem I had been trying to solve for a week now, and I've now solved it in under 2 hours!

Windows Vista Home Premium DVD! I formatted and started from scratch, for the 7th time in the last 15 or so days. Saved me a lot of troubles, and trust me, they were popping up from left, right and center! It was due to an update that MicroShaft asked me to install. I have auto-patchered my notebook till July. I will NOT touch any MicroShaft update, till SP1. Clueless fecking idiots!

 

Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Uncheck Windows Media Player > Follow dialog.

 

Tried that, didnt' help. It was my last resort.

 

Don't delete files from programs files folder as you want. This will create you more problems. You cannot unistall wmp 11 from vista. WMP 11 is an integral part of vista home premium. Go to default programs and settings and choose wmp for the video files.

 

I did that at least 10 times FFS! I know it is an intergral part of Vista (or any other MS OS). I had to format in any case, I deleted the the files from the Program Files thinking maybe, just maybe, Vista will spew this crap again, new WMP files. Anyways, I have reloaded all my softwares, and have updated all the 5 security products. No Windows Update now. Tomorrow, I just have to run these in safe mode, and then run PerfectDisk 4-5 times. Then, it'll be better than it was yesterday!

 

This is not a direct solution to your problem, more of a work around : Why don’t you use Media Player Classic (bundled with K-Lite codec pack, also available as a separate download) ? That has more features than WMP and very low on system resources. Can play any video format unkike WMP (if you have correct codecs installed) . Another good alternative is VLC Player (Again FREE and small, has everything you need).