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 it doesn't provide taskbar toolbar aka mini toolbar which was one of the best thing in previous versions of Windows Media Player. Taskbar toolbar in WMP allows you to access the media player right from the Taskbar. You can minimize WMP window and can access it using the mini-toolbar which is displayed in Taskbar.
If you are also using Windows 7 and missing the good old Taskbar Toolbar aka Taskband in Windows Media Player 12 (WMP 12), here is something very interesting for you.
Today in this article, we are going to share a small and easy to use trick which will help you in bringing back the taskbar toolbar in WMP 12 as shown in following screenshot:
Here are the step-by-step instructions to enable WMP 12 Taskbar Toolbar in Windows 7:
1. Actually Taskbar Toolbar or Taskband is stored in a DLL file called "wmpband.dll" which is found in "Windows Media Player" directory present in "Program Files" folder. Microsoft removed this DLL file from WMP 12 folder, that's why the toolbar no longer exists in Windows 7.
You can copy this DLL file from WMP 11 folder present in Windows Vista to Windows 7. If you don't have access to a Vista system, you can directly download it from following link:
2. Once you download the above ZIP file, extract it and you'll get the required DLL file for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions. Copy the appropriate DLL file and paste it to "Windows Media Player" directory present in "Program Files" folder. Just type %programfiles%\Windows Media Player in Explorer addressbar and press enter and it'll open the "Windows Media Player" directory.
NOTE: 64-bit Windows users will also need to copy the DLL file to %programfiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player folder.
3. Now 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 Start Menu search box.
Now right-click on "Windows Media Player Network Sharing" service and select "Stop". It'll stop the service.
4. Now you'll need to register "WMPBand.dll" file.
Click on "Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories". Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run As Administrator" option. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing "cmd" in Start Menu Search box and press "Ctrl+Shift+Enter".
Now type following command and press Enter:
For 32-bit Windows users - regsvr32 "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll"
For 64-bit Windows users - regsvr32 "%programfiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll"
PS: You can run the above mentioned commands in RUN or start menu search box as well.
5. That's it. Now run Windows Media Player, minimize it and select "Toolbars -> Windows Media Player" option by right-clicking on the Taskbar and you'll be able to enjoy the Taskbar Toolbar aka Taskband in Windows 7.
Thanks to "Justin Buser" @ WinMatrix for sharing it...
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Troubleshooting, Windows 7
Balachander Ganesan
me too getting the error 0x80070005
William
I'm running Windows7 64bit and registering the 32 bit dll did not work for me (as written above). I had to unregister the 32 bit version and register the 64 bit version instead.
regsvr32 /u "%programfiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll"
regsvr32 "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll"
Then it worked great. Thanks!
Ali
hey.... tnx a lot for info but there is a problem. i've got the "windows media player" on the tool bar and i ticked it .... it still doesnt work!!!
VG
^^ Did you try to minimize WMP before using toolbar?
Dorum
Thanks very much for sharing this tip ! It works perfectly.
May be good to add that some might need to run the command prompt with Administrator privileges. : )
Raj
Thank you worked like a charm..
Sukhpreet
How you got So Much Details In Navigation Pane ?? in mine windows 7 ultimate only folders are shown but in ur case files are also shown ...
VG
^^ Which screenshot are you talking about?
Sukhpreet
Oooops , Sorry i was talking about media.askvg.com/articles/images/Copy_WMPBand_dll_File.png
you have turned off navigation pane thats why i asked you , , because at starting it seems navigation pane on left side ,, to me :)
Aria
I've some problems :
it apears in toolbars but i should unlock the task bar to see it , and after locking the taskbar i can't close the wmp ! also i can't see video with it because it can't show !
i have windows 64 bit. please help me , i really need these toolbar and i can't live without it.
xhimi
Works great the only problem when click a single song wmp 12 came up again. any idea how to to fixit this.
joebest2004
everything was ok until I right-clicked on the taskbar, pointed to toolbars and clicked on windows media player. it does not appear!
hannah kirby
Ahhhh! Thank you!!! easy-peasy!
Greg
Hi,
thanks for the tip. I had followed the same one without the special instructions for x64 and couldn't get it to work.
Cheers, G
Mohan
Thanks for the tip...It worked fine for me..
Wahyu Fahmy
Doesn't work on Windows 8 :( #sigh
Jordan
Thanks! It helped me out a lot ^___^
I can now easily play my jams w/o having to manually click on too much excessive buttons :3
Kudos!
anonymous
what is the VS that you are using?
Cyber Toon
very nice tutorial!
p.s. the one above labeled anonymous is me...
KishDa
Thanks a lot, really helpful.
Niyah
Thank you so much. Works perfectly!