The Windows 10 update KB4046355 for the Fall Creators Update — listed as FeatureOnDemandMediaPlayer – Windows 10 for x64-based Systems (KB4046355) removes Windows Media Player from the operating system.
The update has been released for the Insider version of Windows 10 version 1709, but not to all devices that run the beta version of the upcoming Fall Creators Update version of Windows 10.
Note: A knowledgebase support page does not exist currently.
It is unclear at this point in time whether that is done by accident, and whether this may impact devices running stable versions of Windows 10 as well.
This change may not be an issue for Windows users who run third-party media players like VLC Media Player, but it may be shocking to those invested in Windows Media Player.
The update removes Windows Media Player from the device (files and context menu entries), but it does not prevent users from installing it again.
Install Windows Media Player on Windows 10
The feature Windows Media Player is still available on machines running the Fall Creators Update of Windows 10, but it is not installed by default (at least on those machines affected by this).
You can use the “manage optional features” page of the operating system to install Windows Media Player on the system, and bring back its functionality along with that change.
- Open the Settings application with the keyboard shortcut Windows-I.
- Open Apps > Apps & Features, and click on “manage optional features” on that page.
- Windows lists all installed optional features on that page. Select the “add a feature” option near the top of the page.
- Scroll down to the very bottom of the page that opens. You should find “Windows Media Player” listed there as an optional feature that you can install on the device. Click on the item and then on the install button.
- Go back to the previous page. You should see the installation process of Windows Media Player on that page. Installation should not take longer than ten or twenty seconds.
Read also: Avira Free Software Updater review
Windows Media Player is available again on the device after the installation. Again, it is not clear at this point in time whether this is a bug that affects only a subset of Insider devices, or if it is a foreshadowing of things to come.
Windows users who don’t use Windows Media Player should not notice any issues caused by the removal. If issues are noticed however, it is suggested to re-install the media player using the method above. (via Born and Deskmodder)
Now You: Which media player do you use?