Windows Media Player Windows 10 64-bit

A hidden trick: Even on Windows 10 64-bit, the version of Windows Media Player that launches by default is actually the 32-bit version. Why? Because 32-bit codecs are more common, and Microsoft prioritized compatibility over performance.

How to force the 64-bit version:

Benefits of 64-bit mode:

Downside: Some old ActiveX controls or visualizations (the "Alienware" visualizer) will not work in 64-bit mode. windows media player windows 10 64-bit

If you cannot find Windows Media Player on your PC, it is likely a "Feature on Demand" that needs to be enabled.

Method A: Via Settings (Recommended)

Method B: Via Control Panel

Use Windows Media Player if you:

Avoid WMP and use VLC / MPV / PotPlayer if you:

Before searching for a download link, let's verify if Windows Media Player is already installed on your 64-bit system. A hidden trick: Even on Windows 10 64-bit

Windows Media Player 12 (the version bundled with Windows 10) is no longer Microsoft’s flagship media app. That title belongs to the modern Groove Music and Movies & TV apps, followed by the new Media Player app introduced in Windows 11. However, WMP remains installed by default on Windows 10 64-bit systems as a legacy feature.

While this article supports using Windows Media Player on Windows 10 64-bit, it is not the best player for everyone. Let's compare it fairly.

| Feature | WMP 12 (64-bit) | VLC Media Player | MPC-HC (64-bit) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Pre-installed? | Yes (or as optional) | No | No | | Supports 4K/8K | Limited (needs codecs) | Yes (native) | Yes (native) | | Streaming to TV | Excellent (DLNA) | Poor (requires setup) | None | | Audio Library Mgmt | Excellent | Terrible | None | | Resource Usage | Low (20-40MB RAM) | Medium (80-150MB RAM) | Very Low (15MB RAM) | | Modern Codecs (MKV/Opus) | No (needs pack) | Yes | Yes | Benefits of 64-bit mode:

The Verdict: