As we all know "Windows 7" comes with Windows Media Player 12 version which contains lots of new features and also the interface is a bit different from previous versions.
But tbh I don't like WMP12. Its a bit buggy and the most annoying thing is it doesn't provide the taskbar toolbar aka mini toolbar which was one of the best thing in Windows Media Player.
If you also don't like WMP12 and want to get the good ol' mini toolbar back in Windows 7, then this tutorial will help you.
In this tutorial, we'll downgrade the WMP version in Windows 7. We'll install WMP11 and it'll bring the taskbar toolbar back as shown in following screenshots:
WMP11 Running in Windows 7:
WMP Taskbar Toolbar in Windows 7:
So here are the required steps:
1. Right-click on Computer icon on desktop and select Manage, it'll open a new window. Now go to Services & Applications -> Services. You can also open the same from Administrative Tools -> Computer Management. Or you can directly open "Services" list by providing services.msc command in RUN or Startmenu search box.
Now right-click on "Windows Media Player Network Sharing" service and select "Stop". It'll stop the service.
2. Now you'll need to take ownership of following files/folders:
- "Windows Media Player" folder in "Program Files" folder
- All files starting with wmp in "Windows\System32" folder
- wmploc.dll.mui file in "Windows\System32\en-US" folder
How will you take the ownership? Just follow the steps given in following tutorial:
Add Take Ownership Option in File / Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista and 7
PS: Make sure to take the backup of all above mentioned files/folders, so that you can restore them if something goes wrong.
3. Now download following ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted EXE file:
This installer will install WMP11 and will ask to restart your system. Select the second option to not restart the system and finish the installation.
4. Now open regedit and delete Installed Versions key under following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup
If you are not familiar with registry editor, then download following ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted REG file. Its a ready-made registry script file which will automatically delete the above mentioned key:
5. That's it. Now restart your system and get ready to enjoy the WMP 11 version and WMP taskbar toolbar in Windows 7.
Thanks to Lord Devrexster from WinMatrix for this information...
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Nikolaj
Why not remove the anoying
Windows 7
For testing preposes only Build 700
tag from desktop
Kwpolska
Nikolaj, you cannot do this. Microsoft sepecially put it here.
---
Did i can use it with big taskbar?
Astitva
the toolbars there but its not opening my files.....
how to get that wmp 12 back
please help.....!!!!!
its not playing any of the files.........
Amirz
Awesome job big thanx to you VG and Lord Devrexster regards - Amirz
Osku Kaskisola
@ Kwpolska : well.. ur NOT right. i managed to delete it. LOL
it's called Windows 7 Watermark remover
VG
Yep. It can be removed but I didnt remove it because its not annoying for me.
Astitva
how to remove it and get back wmp 12 back....
Astitva
the wmp 11
Chandan Kumar Mahato
Great tutorial.
Nikolaj
To remove it just open Whatever drive letter:\Windows\System32\en-US\user32.dll.mui in reshacker and look a little around and you will find it