How to Recover WMP 12? Troubleshooter has no WMP, no checkbox etc

cognus · 24 Jun 2021

This is a way out-of-date Windows 10 Home Ver 1607 HP laptop on which the user 'accidentally' clobbered WMP 12 and now wants it back. I tried the recommended way but the entire entry for Windows Media Player is missing from the Media features list. There's no "feature" to install. I tried the Troubleshooter View-All and there is no media anything there.

So, obviously we could clean install modern Windows 10 but the user isn't wanting to go through all the application installations, move/relocate user files and all that. A repair-install from ISO is an option but how risky is that to the users clutter of apps, data files, shortcuts [she is still using Internet Explorer ...yikes], Favorites etc. Some of those attempts have gone badly.

What is your recommendation please?

C

Try3 · 24 Jun 2021

1 If WMP is missing from

Control panel,
Progs & features,
Turn Windows features on or off,
Media features section

then might the Windows installation by one of those "N" Editions that need to download WMP separately?
Download and Install Media Feature Pack for N Editions - TenForumsTutorials

2 Has the user told you why she is still on Version 1607?

3 Providing you make a system image & update the files backup beforehand, there's no reason why you could not try a Repair install. It should not interfere with settings, apps or data.

Denis