Configuration Options for Windows Media Player 7 (271799)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
This article was previously published under Q271799

SUMMARY

There are several options that you can select on Windows Media Player, including the following:
  • Startup options for the player
  • Internet identity, license, and connection settings
  • How often Windows Media Player checks for upgrades
To configure these options, follow these steps:
  1. Start Windows Media Player 7.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  3. Click the Player tab to view the Windows Media Player options.

MORE INFORMATION

You can configure the following options for Windows Media Player 7:
  • Check for upgrade

    Specifies how often you want Windows Media Player to check for upgrades. Click to select the schedule you want to use.
  • Enable automatic codec download

    This check box is selected by default. When you attempt to play a file that uses a codec that you do not have installed, Windows Media Player downloads the appropriate codec for you. If you clear this check box, then you are prompted to download the codec yourself.
  • Allow Internet sites to uniquely identify your Windows Media Player

    This option specifies whether you want Windows Media Player to enable Internet sites to uniquely identify your Windows Media Player using a unique identifier created by Windows Media Player. The identifier is used to uniquely identify your connection to a server and does not contain any personally identifiable information about you.

    When you receive streaming media over the Internet, Windows Media Player sends a unique identifier to the server that is delivering the stream. The server uses this unique identifier to monitor your connection. By monitoring your connection, the server can make adjustments to increase the playback quality and to alert you about events that occur while your computer is receiving streams over the Internet. The unique identifier helps the server identify your computer only to differentiate it from other computers that may be accessing streaming media.

    Clear this check box if you do not want a server to uniquely identify your computer while you are receiving streaming media.

    For more information, see the privacy statement on the Windows Media Web page at the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://www.msn.com/help/legal/privacy.htm

  • Attempt to automatically acquire licenses

    This option specifies whether Windows Media Player should automatically acquire licenses when a license is required to play a file.
  • Start player in Media Guide

    Select this option if you want Windows Media Player to open displaying the Media Guide feature. If this check box is not selected, Windows Media Player opens displaying the Now Playing feature.
  • When in compact mode, always display on top

    By default, other applications can cover Windows Media Player when it is in compact mode. Select this check box to keep Windows Media Player on top when it is in compact mode.
  • When in compact mode, always display anchor window

    The anchor window is a small window that appears in the lower-right corner of the screen when Windows Media Player is in compact mode. You can click the anchor window, and then click Return to Full Mode to return to full-screen mode. When you put Windows Media Player in compact mode, it uses the assigned skin. Skins can have a variety of looks and exposed features so the anchor is an easy way to get back to full-screen mode.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/15/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbinfo KB271799
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