Switch, Change or Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) in Windows Vista x64 as Default
In Windows Vista x64 (64bit version), the 32-bit edition of Windows Media Player 11 (WMP 11) is set as the default Windows Media Player. This is done to avoid and reduce any compatibility issues or problems that may arise with codecs or other DirectShow related plug-ins or add-ons that majority of them still built for 32-bit operating system. However, if you decide to use the 64-bit version of WMP11 with your 64bit version of Windows Vista, especially now that more and more codecs support 64-bit computing platform, and a x64 FFDShow codec which can decode virtually any audio or video media files has been released, you can use a few easy method to launch 64 bit WMP11 or simply switch, change or swap the system default media player to x64 Windows Media Player, and revert back to x86 version when you need to.
By default, the 32-bit WMP 11 x86 is located at path of “%Programfiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player”, and 64-bit WMP11 x64 is located at folder of “%Programfiles%\Windows Media Player”. So the first method to use 64-bit Windows Media Player is by launching WMP from its x64 location.
Go to Start -> Run, and execute “%Programfiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe” (without quotes). Alternatively, you can create a shortcut with target and location set to the above, and place the shortcut on desktop for easy access.
There is second method that make the WMP 11 x64 as the default media player for the Windows Vista. You need to perform 2 steps each to swap to 64-bit version or to undo the change back to 32-bit version WMP. First step of unregmp2.exe command change the operating system shortcuts to point to WMP 64bit, while the second registry step changes the file associations default program to WMP64-bit, which determines which program will be used when you double click on a media file.
To switch and change to x64 or 64-bit of WMP11, open an elevated command prompt as administrator and type the following command:
%windir%\system32\unregmp2.exe /SwapTo:64
Then, open Registry Editor (regedit), then navigate to the the registry key of “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\wmplayer.exe”. Then set the registry subkey “Path” to be “%Programfiles(x86)%\Windows Media Player” (without quotes), and “(Default)” subkey (normally the first entry) to “%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe” (include quotes).
To undo the x64 change, switch, swap, revert and change back the default media player to Windows Media Player 11 x86 32-bit edition, also open an elevated command prompt with administrator privileges, but issue the following command instead:
%windir%\system32\unregmp2.exe /SwapTo:32
Then, run Registry Editor, and reset the value for registry subkey of “Path” and “(Default”).
With either one of two methods, you will have complete full x64 Windows Media Player experience.
Share and contribute or get technical support and help at My Digital Life Forums.
Related Articles
- Disable and Remove URGE Online Store in Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11)
- Free Download: Windows Media Player 11 Final (No WGA Genuine Windows Validation Required)
- ‘Interesting’ Transparency Effect on Vista WMP11 Window
- Best Free Vista Media Player - GOM Player
- Windows Vista Media Player (WMP11) Slow Loading and Skipping the End
- Solution to QuickTime High CPU Usage in Windows Vista
- Install Windows Media Player 11 Bypass Windows Genuine Advantage WGA Validation Workaround
- Play and Stream Windows Media Player Video and Audio (ASF, WMV, WMA) Embedded Directly Within FireFox
- How to Backup and Restore Windows Media Player DRM Licenses or Media Usage Rights
- Vista Codec Package 4.3.8 and x64 Components 1.1.8 Free Download
Entries (RSS)
April 16th, 2007 15:52
[...] solution? According to this site, shut down any open media players, open a command prompt as an administrator, and [...]
April 17th, 2007 22:35
[...] solution? According to this site, shut down any open media players, open a command prompt as an administrator, and [...]
April 18th, 2007 20:45
[...] My Digital Life has several solutions for this problem. You can set either the 32-bit or 64-bit versions as default via several methods depending on your needs. And as with all things Microsoft this problem seems to be random so I guess it just depends on what “mood” Vista is in at that particular moment. [...]
June 8th, 2007 14:44
Just want to point out that by default the “Path” already has (x86) and the (x86) bit needs to be REMOVED to make WMP11 x64 load by default when opening a media file. So you might want to double check your info before posting, ’cause from my experience, you’re wrong.
December 30th, 2007 02:40
[...] and this could be causing you the problem. You will not see any difference with WMP11. Check out Switch, Change or Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) in Windows Vista x64 as Default
January 10th, 2008 12:37
[...] With either one of two methods, you will have complete full x64 Windows Media Player experience. Source __________________ Tweak, Tune, & Hack Windows Vista All members, check out the link above! [...]
February 4th, 2008 12:26
[...] I stumbled into this great post on how to get WMP 11 to default to its 64-bit variant when playing something. Helps to get the most [...]
February 5th, 2008 01:40
I just wanted to confirm the post by “Unimpressed” on June 8th: as well, the “path” was set to x86 on my machine as well. This stumped my, as all the solutions to this problem were suggesting that I this didn’t need to be changed. Changing it (i.e.: taking out the “x86″ portion of the string) solved the problem. This mean that the “default” and “path” string should be pointing to the 64bit version of WMP and *not” the version in the “(x86)” folder.
Double clicking on a media file now brings up the 64 bit version of WMP. However, when I click on a link in Outlook 2007, the 32 bit version still launches. I haven’t figured out why this behaves the way it does.
June 8th, 2008 17:31
[...] Source [...]
August 18th, 2008 17:36
[...] a read of this Monkey. Switch, Change or Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) in Windows Vista x64 as Default My Digi… __________________ Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register [...]
August 18th, 2008 17:40
[...] this greycell Switch, Change or Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) in Windows Vista x64 as Default My Digi… __________________ Need help with your computer problems? Then why not join Free PC Help. Register [...]