Goodbye Groove Music: New Media Player rolls out to Windows 11
You can start 2022 with the new Media Player for Windows 11.
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What you need to know
To start off the new year, Microsoft is shipping the new Media Player app to some PCs runningWindows 11. The app replaces Groove Music and is the successor to the legacy Windows Media Player app ,the latter of which isstill available from Microsoft.
To get the new Media Player, your PC needs to be on Windows 11 Build 22000.346 or later. Even if you’re running the latest build of Windows 11, you may not see the Media Player app at the moment.TechRadarreports that the app is rolling out gradually and that it may take some time to reach everyone.
The new Media Player app has a modern look that aligns with Windows 11. It also supports HDR for videos and album art and artist imagery for music. You can expand the app to full screen mode or compact it to control content through a mini player.
We have a complete guide onhow to get started with the Media Player on Windows 11, including steps on how to manage playlists and how to edit track and album information.
If you use Groove Music, your library and playlists will move over to the new Media Player. While the new Media Player supports video, Microsoft’s Movies & TV app (known as Films & TV in some regions) will remain available. Both the new Media Player and the Movies & TV app can play local content, but the Movies & TV app can also stream videos purchased through the Microsoft Store.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
