Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- PCWorld examines the latest Windows Media Player update, comparing its functionality and performance against the classic legacy version that many users still prefer.
- The updated media player remains inferior to its predecessor, lacking key features and polish that made the original version reliable for audio and video playback.
- Despite Microsoft’s efforts to modernize the application, users may find better value sticking with the older Windows Media Player for their multimedia needs.
Windows Insider members have been given access to a new version of Windows Media Player. In taking a closer look at the new version, Windows Latest notes that it offers a number of improvements, not least in terms of stability and the handling of subtitles.
Information about which codec is missing when a file cannot be played is said to be clearer than before.
The new version is still inferior in many respects compared to the older Legacy version, which is still available on Windows 11. The old app launches faster and uses fewer resources, specifically 103.4 megabytes of memory instead of 377 megabytes. It also supports playback of files in the HEVC format, which is a paid feature in the new version of Windows Media Player.
If you want to ensure full file compatibility, the best option is to download the free VLC media player.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.