Windows Media Player is a free Microsoft Windows software media player used for playing audio and video on personal computers. Microsoft also makes free versions for other operating systems including Pocket PC, Mac OS, and Solaris. These tend to lag behind the Windows versions in features, software update frequency, and the number of file formats supported. The basic file formats are WMV (Windows Media Video & Audio), WMA (Windows Media Audio), and ASF (Audio Structured File).

Windows Media Player replaced an earlier piece of software simply called Media Player, adding features beyond simple video or audio playback. These include the ability to copy music to a compact disc, synchronise content with an digital audio player (MP3 player), and let users buy music from one of several online music stores.

Windows Media Player competes with other freeware programs such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer, Nullsoft's Winamp, and Apple Computer's QuickTime and iTunes.

Windows Media Player comes bundled with the Windows operating system. However, the newest versions of the player are meant to require the newest versions of the OS. Some view this practice as an echo of Microsoft's success in driving out Netscape Communications Corporation from its dominant position in the web browser market, only this time, they contend Microsoft is attempting to drive its competitors in the streaming media market out of business.

In March 2004, the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million and ordered the company to provide a version of Windows without Windows Media Player, claiming Microsoft "broke European Union competition law by leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media players". Microsoft is currently appealing the ruling. In the meantime, the company plans to offer a compliant version of its flagship operating system under the negotiated name "Windows XP N." [1]

Major versions

• 1998 June 25 Windows Media Player 6.1 for Windows 98 Second Edition bundled with the OS on its release.
• 1999 November 22 Windows Media Player 6.4 for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0
• 2000 July 17 Windows Media Player 6.3 for Mac OS
• 2000 July 17 Windows Media Player 6.3 for Solaris
• 2000 July 17 Windows Media Player 7 for Windows 98 and Windows 2000.
• 2000 September 14 Windows Media Player 7.1 for Windows Me bundled with the OS on its release.
• 2000 December 12 Windows Media Player 7 for Pocket PC
• 2001 July 24 Windows Media Player 7.0.1 for Mac OS
• 2001 October 25 Windows Media Player 8 for Windows XP bundled with the OS on its release
• 2002 January 8 Windows Media Player 7.1 for Mac OS
• 2003 January 27 Windows Media Player 9 for Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, and Windows 2000 and a separate version for Windows XP.
• 2003 June 23 Windows Media Player 9 for Pocket PC
• 2003 November 7 Windows Media Player 9 for Mac OS X
• 2004 August 10 Windows Media Player 9 for Windows XP Service Pack 2 bundled with the OS on its release
• 2004 September 2 Windows Media Player 10 for Windows XP
• 2004 October Windows Media Player 10 Mobile for Pocket PC and smartphone

See also

• List of media players
• Comparison of media players
• Microsoft PlaysForSure
• Media Transfer Protocol

External links

• Microsoft Windows Media home page
• A Little Windows Media Player History