HOW TO: Add Programs to the Windows Media Player 9 Series Compatibility Layer Bypass List (811995)

SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to include a program that is incompatible with the Windows Media Player 9 Series control on the bypass list. A program on the bypass list does not start the Windows Media Player 9 Series control if otherwise coded, and makes it possible for the program to work correctly. Windows Media Player 9 Series includes a compatibility layer makes it possible for programs that use the Windows Media Player 6.4 or earlier control to use the security, privacy, and technology enhancements that are included in Windows Media Player 9 Series. The compatibility layer has been tested in a number of scenarios. However, you may notice differences when you view Web pages or audio and video content in other programs after you install Windows Media Player 9 Series. For example, video may not play properly, or may not play at all, and programs that do not start properly. If you experience problems with programs that use the Windows Media Player 6.4 or earlier control after you upgrade to Windows Media Player 9 Series, this may be caused by the compatibility layer.

To work with incompatible programs, Microsoft has created a bypass list that lists programs that are based on older controls that do not work correctly after you install Windows Media Player 9 Series. This causes the original Windows Media Player control to be invoked. Although this makes it possible for the program to work, the program and the user do not benefit from the security, privacy, and technology improvements that are included with the Windows Media Player 9 Series control.

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Add a Program to the Bypass List

The bypass list is not dynamically updated or maintained by Microsoft after you install Windows Media Player 9 Series. To add a program to the bypass list:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit and then click OK.
2. If you are adding an .exe entry, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\ShimExclusionList .
3. Click ShimExclusionList, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click Key.
4. Type filename .exe , where filename is the name of the .exe file for the program that you want to include on the bypass list, and then press ENTER.
5. If you are adding a .dll entry, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\ShimDllExclusionList.
6. Click ShimDllExclusionList, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click Key.
7. Type filename .dll where filename is the name of the .dll file for the program that you want to include on the bypass list, and then press ENTER.
8. Quit Registry Editor.

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Bypass List Options for the Application Developer

Application developers who use the Windows Media Player 6.4 control or earlier have the following options:

• Microsoft recommends you migrate your program to the Windows Media Player 9 Series control. This makes it possible for the end user to take advantage of the security, privacy and technology enhancements that are included in Windows Media Player 9 Series. For more information about how to create programs that are based on the Windows Media Player 9 Series control, visit the following Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series Software Development Kit Web site:

  http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsmedia

  .
• Develop a manual or automatic procedure so end users can add your program to the bypass list. Note that after you add your program to the bypass list, it does not take advantage of the security, privacy, and technology improvements in the Windows Media Player 9 Series control. Although you can add or remove your program from the bypass list, Microsoft is not responsible for maintaining the bypass list.
• You can choose to do nothing. Note that users of your program may experience problems after they install Windows Media Player 9 Series.

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Bypass List Options for the End User

End users of the Windows Media Player 6.4 control or earlier have the following options:

• Contact the program vendor to see if they have an update that works with Windows Media Player 9 Series .
• Add the program .exe name to the bypass list. Note that after you add your program to the bypass list, it does not take advantage of the security, privacy, and technology improvements in the Windows Media Player 9 Series control.

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