Windows 7 - Windows Media Player - Taskbar Toolbar

septprince

How to Get Windows Media Player Taskbar Toolbar Back in Windows 7

Information

Windows 7 comes with Windows Media Player 12 version which contains lots of new features and also the interface is a bit different from previous versions.

But i like WMP12 but i like WMP 11 more due to its mini tool bar on the task bar..

If you also don't like WMP12 and want to get the good ol' mini toolbar back in Windows 7, then this tutorial will help you.

This will show you how to downgrade to Windows Media Player 11 to be able to have the WMP taskbar toolbar back in Windows 7.

Warning

It is recommended to backup all the files and listed bellow:

"Windows Media Player" folder in "Program Files" folder
All files starting with wmp in "%Win 7 file%\Windows\System32" folder
wmploc.dll.mui file in "%Win 7 file%\Windows\System32\en-US" folder.

Note

We are downgrading, so you cannot use WMP 12 after all the steps are completed.

EXAMPLE: WMP 11 Taskbar Toolbar in Windows 7

So let gets started:

1. Open Services.
NOTE: You can also open the same from Administrative Tools -> Computer Management, or you can directly open "Services" list by providing services.msc command in RUN or Start Menu search box.

2. Now right-click on Windows Media Player Network Sharing service and select Stop. It'll stop the service.

3. Now you'll need to take ownership and give yourself full control of the following files/folders:

"Windows Media Player" folder in "Program Files" folder

All files starting with wmp in "%Win 7 drive%\Windows\System32" folder

wmploc.dll.mui file in "%win 7 drive%\Windows\System32\en-US" folder

4. Now go to the drive where vista is installed.
NOTE: Windows Media Player will not run unless you replace all the given files in Windows 7 with those of Vista.
A) Go to "%vista drive%\program files" dir and copy the Windows Media player directory and paste it in %Win 7 drive%\program files.

B) Now Copy the wmploc.dll.mui file from
"%vista drive%\Windows\System32\en-US" and paste it in "%Win 7 drive %\Windows\System32\en-US"

C) Then go to "%vista drive%\Windows\System32" and copy all files with there name starting with wmp to "%win 7 drive%\Windows\System32".

5. Now open regedit and delete Installed Versions key under following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup

Tip

For your convenience I ma including the REG file..
Delete_Installed_Versions_Key.reg

6. Now restart your computer and Enjoy..

Related Tutorials

How to Add the Windows Media Player Taskbar Toolbar in Windows 7

akramh · 07-10-2009

This sounds a little bit disturbing, to replace the program files, and edit the registery....

also if you don't have a previews vista installation then your out of luck right?

septprince · 07-13-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by akramh

This sounds a little bit disturbing, to replace the program files, and edit the registery....

also if you don't have a previews vista installation then your out of luck right?

if you dont have vista installed then extract the install.wim and copy the necessary fies from it..
here is the tutorial to do it--> WIM File - Extract and Modify

MrAleX · 07-21-2009

do you really need it in Windows 7?

septprince · 07-21-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by MrAleX

do you really need it in Windows 7?

It depends on you mate.....

septprince · 07-21-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by matt0978

vista's install.wim or..?

Vista`s install.wim..

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