How to move your digital music and video collection to Windows XP (308638)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q308638

SUMMARY

This article describes how to move your digital music and video collection to Windows XP. The information in this article may be useful if you have previously copied music and video such as MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA) files to your computer by using a previous version of Windows Media Player.

MORE INFORMATION

To move your music and videos files to Windows XP, prepare your music and video files, and then move your music and video files so that you can play them in Windows Media Player for Windows XP. Note that you can run Windows XP by using one of the following scenarios:
  • A quick upgrade to Windows XP
  • A new installation of Windows XP
  • A new computer that is running Windows XP
For more information about which of the preceding options is right for you, please see the following "Upgrading from Previous Versions of Windows" Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/matrix.mspx

To move your music and videos files to Windows XP:
  1. Prepare your digital music and video files:
    1. View the following Microsoft Web site, and then download and run the Personal License Update Wizard for Windows Media Player:

      http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/drm/pluwiz.aspx

      The Personal License Update Wizard for Windows Media Player updates any licenses that have been issued for your music and video to the latest version. While the wizard is running, you may be prompted to upgrade Windows Media Player. After you have upgraded Windows Media Player, the wizard resumes.

      NOTE: The amount of time that is needed to complete this process depends on how many licensed files you have to upgrade.
    2. Back up your licenses. For information about how to do so, please view the "To back up your licenses" topic in Windows Media Player Help.
  2. Move your music and video files to Windows XP. If you want to complete a quick upgrade to Windows XP, start with step a. If you want to create a new installation of Windows XP or you have a new computer that is running Windows XP, skip to step e.
    1. Copy your data files (including your digital media files) to another storage medium such as another hard drive, a CD, external storage, and so on.
    2. Upgrade to Windows XP. For information about how to do so, please view the following Microsoft Web sites for Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional:

      http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/intro.mspx

      http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/installquick.mspx

    3. Restore your licenses. For information about how to do so, please view the "To restore your licenses" topic in Windows Media Player Help.
    4. Your music and video files are still saved on your computer. Once you have upgraded to Windows XP, your music and video collection should be visible in the Windows Media Player Media Library and the My Music folder. If they are not visible, click Search for Media Files on the Tools menu, click All Drives in the Search On box, and then click OK.

      IMPORTANT: Skip the remaining lettered steps.
    5. Copy your data files (including your digital media files) to another storage medium such as another hard drive, a CD, external storage, and so on.

      WARNING: A new installation deletes all programs or system files from a previous installation. If you do not run the wizard that is described in step 1a and back up your digital music files before you install Windows XP, you may need to re-copy your CDs to your computer.
    6. If you are using a new computer that is already running Windows XP, skip to step g. If you need to complete a new installation of Windows XP, do so now. For information about how to complete a new installation of Windows XP, please view the following Microsoft Web site for Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional:

      http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/getstarted/installnew.mspx

    7. Move the digital media files you copied in step e back to your computer.
    8. Restore your licenses. For information about how to do so, please view the "To restore your licenses" topic in Windows Media Player Help.

Play Music and Video in Windows Media Player for Windows XP

After you complete the preceding procedures, you can take advantage of the following Windows Media Player for Windows XP features:

Play Music on Your Computer

If you upgraded to Windows XP, you can play all of your digital media in Windows Media Player for Windows XP.

If you completed a new installation or purchased a new computer that is running Windows XP, you are directed to the Personal License Migration Service Web site the first time you play your music. This Web site helps you to acquire and bind licenses to your computer. After that licensing process is complete, you can play your music and video files in Windows XP.

Playing Music on Another Computer or By Using a Home Network

You can use Windows Media Player for Windows XP to transfer and play your digital media files on up to 10 different computers. The first time you attempt to play your digital music after you move it to a new computer, you are directed to the Personal License Migration Service Web site. This Web site helps you to acquire and bind licenses for your digital music library to that computer. After that licensing process is complete, you can play your music and video files in Windows XP.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/17/2006
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto kbsetup KB308638
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