How to Get Windows Media Player (WMP) 12 Taskbar Toolbar (Taskband) Back in Windows 7?

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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:

Download 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 Startmenu 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. Type following command in RUN or Startmenu Searchbox 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"

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...

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This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7.

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jenn_morr

thank u very much :)
Rahul

Thanks, this works...
Guillermo

Oh my god, why are you doing this people?!?! WMP12 already supports being controlled from the taskbar! It even has the Cover to show you!!!
nish

works brilliantly, cheers
just follow the instructions dudes and dudettes
windows media player has to be open after doing everything for the toolbar option to appear
Ella

This finally worked for me. Thank you so much for your hard work, I'm really glad to have my mini back!

For those who are still having trouble:
1) check which bit you have (32 or 64), to find out for sure click Start button -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> System.
2) In step 4, type Command Prompt in Start search, right click Command Prompt, and select 'run as Administrator'. Copy and paste regsvr32 "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll" into the blank and hit enter.
3) Open the media player, minimize it, THEN right click the toolbar and select windows media player.
Gamegeneral

Oh you guys are good. This was my biggest problem with WMP12 (Other than its slow library load times on occasion).
I'm now a happy general!
Brian

Just thought I'd add this. If you decide you don't like this hack and want to remove it from your registry, just run: regsvr32 /u "%programfiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpband.dll" in a command prompt with admin privileges.
TULOA

Thanks for the help.

I do hear though they are going to reinstate the toolbar in Service Pack 1 for Windows 7 whenever it comes out.

Of course someone should verify that as I am not too certain but I for one sure hope they do.
Doomshine

Thank you Ella its work for me now :). By the way don't forget to change (right-click on "Windows Media Player Network Sharing" service and select "Stop". It'll stop the service.) when you done what Ella said turn it back to Start. Than this should work.
julian

Thanks man, exactly what I was looking for =)