Media Player 10 problem

[Conan]

I know that it creates a Restore Point upon first install.

[cityman]

i found this info on another website. originally posted by 2ndloser and reposted by the same website forum adm director. (if you wish to know the forum pm me)

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According to Microsoft we should embrace DRM technology rather than disabling its functions. In fact such is their commitment to DRM, instead of allowing Windows users the freedom of choice, that they neglected to include an uninstaller for the WMP 9 series...


The method described below will uninstall Windows Media Player 9 in both Windows XP SP1 and SP2.
It is reversable and doesn't destroy the install capability of WMP 9 on your system but you'd need to run the (hidden after the uninstall) file 'C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe to reinstall it.
If you cannot uninstall Windows Media Player 10 from the uninstaller in Control Panel / Add Remove Programs / check "Show Updates" (XP SP2) and/or rolling back Windows using System Restore isn't an option then this method will also remove WMP10.

Why uninstall Windows Media Player?

You already use 3rd party sofware to play your media files
Your version of the player is corrupted and defies repair attempts
WMP's seemingly unconfigurable phone home/DRM mechanisms are an issue
You choose not to have sound or play video on your PC

To reinstall the earlier XP WMP 8
Boot from the Windows XP CD (installs WMP8 - Windows XP SP1 CD will install WMP9).
Do not choose Repair when it is offered. That will take you to the Repair Console and you don't want to be there.
Choose Upgrade
The installer will find your existing XP installation and offer to repair it.
Now you choose Repair.
You won't lose any of your settings, programs or data. You will lose any patches/updates, though



Uninstalling:


Go Start, Run and type or copy/paste this into the field:

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection InstallWMP7 132 c:\windows\inf\wmp.inf

Click OK

The uninstall begins and you will be prompted for the location of a replacement media player with this message:

"The file 'mplayer2.exe' on Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 (or 2) CD is needed.
Type the path where the file is located, and then click OK."

I doubt if you will have an XP SP2 install disk but you don't really need either one!

Use the 'Browse' button to the right of the 'Copy files from' field and navigate to the folder:

C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player

where mplayer2 (the old 6.4 media player) still lives even in XP SP2!

After the uninstall completes (after several command box flashes)

Reboot Windows (the changes will not occur until you restart Windows)



Even if you choose never to install another version of Windows Media Player, it may be prudent to replace just the codecs that came with it:

Codec Installation Package for Windows Media Player 7.1 or later
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...cdownload.aspx
This package is for network administrators who want to deliver support for the latest Windows Media Audio and Video codecs for enterprise computers running Windows Media Player 7.1, Windows Media Player for Windows XP, Windows Media Player 9 Series, and Windows Media Player 10.
This package contains the following codecs:
Windows Media Audio 9
Windows Media Screen 9
Windows Media Audio 9 Voice
Windows Media Video 7, 8, and 9
Microsoft MPEG-4 version 3
Microsoft MPEG-4 version 1 and 2
ISO MPEG-4 version 1 and 1.1
Direct link:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo.../WM9Codecs.exe