Windows Media Player Library Contains Invalid Entries (272116)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
This article was previously published under Q272116

SYMPTOMS

When you move media files from one location to another, the file name and path information remain unchanged in the Windows Media Player library. When you select a file to play from the new location, a new entry is created in the Windows Media Player library.

As a result of this, the Windows Media Player library may quickly contain a large number of invalid entries. When you try to play one of the media files you moved, Windows Media Player skips these entries, and then plays the first valid link that is available.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the Windows Media Player library is not dynamic and does not refresh the links that are added to its database.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, use either of the following methods:

Manually Delete the Invalid Links from the Library

You can delete the invalid links individually from the library.

Create a New Library

If you have an extremely large database and want to begin with a new library:
  1. Export any playlists you have created that you want to keep before continuing to the next step. This process removes all entries in the Windows Media Player library including all playlists.

    Note The playlist must point to the current location of the files or they will not work correctly when you import the playlist back into Windows Media Player.

    For additional information about how to export a playlist, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    268260 How to Export a Playlist in Windows Media Player

  2. Quit all instances of Windows Media Player.
  3. Click Start, point to Find or Search, and then click Files or Folders.
  4. In the Named box, type wmplibrary_v_0_12.db, and then press ENTER.

    Note The media library used in the Windows Media Player 9 Series has been renamed and has a different extension. Type CurrentDatabase_59R.wmdb instead.
  5. Right-click the file, and then click Rename.
  6. Rename the library by changing its file extension to .bak.
  7. Start Windows Media Player. When you do so, this creates a new database file (the Windows Media Player library).
  8. On the Tools menu, click Search for Media Files.
This procedure repopulates the new media library.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/15/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB272116
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.