WMP 11

I'm having a problem with Windows Media Player version 11. I'll try to
give a succinct listing of events and repair tries.

A little while ago, I notices that my list of playlists disappeared from
my music library. When I tried to make a new playlist and save it, I was
taken to a temp folder! I searched the registry for the string
"playlist" and found one entry pointing to that temp. I changed it to
the playlist folder in My Music. That changed the default save folder
for new playlists but did not restore playlists to my visible music
library. Other things seemed okay including the ability to rip CDs.

Today, I ripped a new CD. There was no recently added sub-library and
the album data was not ripped from the internet. When I restarted the
player, I noted that there was nothing in my music library at all, i.e.,
several hundred albums had disappeared from the player though they were
still in the My Music folder.

I tried the add to catalog command - the places where it should look was
empty. I added My Music to the list and clicked the "do it" button.
Nothing happened other than the add box disappearing. So I open it again
and the added folder, My Music, is no longer in the search list and
nothing else is either.

Nest try: I "deleted" the player which XP takes as a command to roll
back to WMF version 10. Then I reinstalled the player and had identical
problems with my account though it seemed to work in the admin account.
Next I rolled back to version 10 and tried, successfully, to build my
library. Then I went to version 11 again. My account did work again.

I then tried some transgender experiments: 1) in the admin account I did
a run-as my limited user login (where I'm having the problem) that get
the same do-nothing behavior. 2) I tried in the admin account adding My
Music from the limited account to the places to watch; it picked all of
the music and folders. 3) I made the limited account an administrator to
see what that did. I had exactly the same problems - no library and no
retention of places to watch.

The only thing I can think is that there is a serious glitch in the
registry. Rolling back to version 10 does not remove or repair the
offending problems. Any clues or suggestions? I can found little help in
the available documentation nor with online search. Any help welcomed
and appreciated.

Jeff Barnett

Jeff Barnett wrote, On 4/25/2014 5:04 PM:
I'm having a problem with Windows Media Player version 11. I'll try to
give a succinct listing of events and repair tries.

A little while ago, I notices that my list of playlists disappeared from
my music library. When I tried to make a new playlist and save it, I was
taken to a temp folder! I searched the registry for the string
"playlist" and found one entry pointing to that temp. I changed it to
the playlist folder in My Music. That changed the default save folder
for new playlists but did not restore playlists to my visible music
library. Other things seemed okay including the ability to rip CDs.

Today, I ripped a new CD. There was no recently added sub-library and
the album data was not ripped from the internet. When I restarted the
player, I noted that there was nothing in my music library at all, i.e.,
several hundred albums had disappeared from the player though they were
still in the My Music folder.

I tried the add to catalog command - the places where it should look was
empty. I added My Music to the list and clicked the "do it" button.
Nothing happened other than the add box disappearing. So I open it again
and the added folder, My Music, is no longer in the search list and
nothing else is either.

Nest try: I "deleted" the player which XP takes as a command to roll
back to WMF version 10. Then I reinstalled the player and had identical
problems with my account though it seemed to work in the admin account.
Next I rolled back to version 10 and tried, successfully, to build my
library. Then I went to version 11 again. My account did work again.

I then tried some transgender experiments: 1) in the admin account I did
a run-as my limited user login (where I'm having the problem) that get
the same do-nothing behavior. 2) I tried in the admin account adding My
Music from the limited account to the places to watch; it picked all of
the music and folders. 3) I made the limited account an administrator to
see what that did. I had exactly the same problems - no library and no
retention of places to watch.

The only thing I can think is that there is a serious glitch in the
registry. Rolling back to version 10 does not remove or repair the
offending problems. Any clues or suggestions? I can found little help in
the available documentation nor with online search. Any help welcomed
and appreciated.

Jeff Barnett

It's strange, you spend several days trying to fix something and as soon
as you ask for help, you find the solution. In case anyone else is
having a similar problem, here's the/a fix:

1) Stop the "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service"

2. Rename folder ...\local settings\application data\microsoft\media
player to .....\media player old.

3. Start media player and do the usual to rebuild your library

4. Start the service you stopped

5. When and if you get a good feeling, delete the folder media player.old!

I don't know how I overlooked this simple shot on my own!

Jeff Barnett