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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Ryan
BEWARE!
I followed the guide fine.
However I cannot run WMP11 from the download as it is missing heaps of .dll files etc.
And now my WMP12 is corrupt, the install of WMP won't delete, I cannot reinstall it as it says I have the current version, and I cannot run WMP12 because it says its not installed correctly.
Not impressed at all!
Tom
I too followed all of the steps exactly as i should however i also get the "server execution failed" error when i try and open a MP3 file.
is there a way to fix this?
i also found that after going through these steps i cannot see "all processes from all users" in Taskmanager, it closes but never starts up again, and when i do restart it then it only shows my processes and not the hidden ones, any idea how to fix this too?
Carbonx
yeh i done this. it worked until i wanted to get rid of it. there is an uninstall option available in programs and features, but it doesnt work. completely corrupted my wmp.
so i just switched to winamp
Alessandra
This is a great tutorial however, I can't seem to get the toolbar mode back on my WMP11 since Friday and it's annoying that now I have to use mini player mode and keep it on top of all windows just to access the basic features like "stop, play" etc. I'm running the 64 bit version of Vista and I have tried to find a way to reinstall the media player and I can't since it says that there is a new build already installed on this computer. I know that there is no way to uninstall Windows Media Player 11 and I refuse to reinstall Vista. Is there anyway to fix this? I have toolbar mode turned on through the taskbar menu but when you minimize it, it doesn't go to toolbar mode it just stays as it's own little button on the taskbar which is annoying.
VG
^^ Try this:
http://www.askvg.com/get-taskbar-toolbar-taskband-back-in-wmp12-under-windows-7/
Alessandra
Will that actually work with Vista 64? Because I can see that the tutorial is made for Windows7 for Windows Media Player 12. I wish Windows Media Player 12 would come out already for Vista that way I can do you tweaks and put toolbar mode on it. ^_^
Stijv
hey vg does this make my superbar smaller or will it stay the same?
VG
^^ It'll stay the same but you can make it smaller using Taskbar Properties if you want.
Goodcoin
Thank you so much for sharing this tip! I really hate WMP 12. IMO, separating "now playing" from the rest of the player was the lamest design decision I've ever seen.
I was looking for a way to restore the good old WMP 11 in its full glory, and here it is! I'll give it a try right away. Thanks again!
Peter Knello
I used the new download to get wmp 12 in the taskbar. however when i close wmp it ois still opened in the taskbar. How do i close this. Also when i open wmp 12 and minimize ot t does not go the the taskbar immediately i need to the toolbars and check and uncheck windows media player tool bar before wmp 12 goe to the taskbar.
Any help here