Many outdated programs and features continue to exist in Windows 10. One of them is the classic Windows Media Player, the audio/video player we all have used at some point in the past.
Most Windows uses no longer use the Windows Media Player as there are many quality alternatives around. Moreover, it has been ages since Microsoft last updated the Windows Media Player. Besides, Windows Media Player unlikely to get any updates in the future as the newly introduced Groove Music and Movies & TV apps are the default for audio and video, respectively.
If you are one of those users who no longer use Windows Media Player, you can get rid of it by completely uninstalling it from Windows 10.
This guide will walk you through how to safely uninstall and remove Windows Media Player from Windows 10.
Uninstall Windows Media Player from Windows 10
Step 1: Open Windows 10 Settings. Navigate to Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: Click on the Optional features link.
Step 3: In the Installed features list, you can see the Windows Media Player entry. Click on the entry to reveal the hidden Uninstall button.
Step 4: Click on the Uninstall button to remove Windows Media Player from your Windows 10 installation.
Install Windows Media Player again in Windows 10
Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: Click on the Optional features link.
Step 3: Click on the Add a feature option.
Step 4: On the resulting page, use the search box to search for Windows Media Player.
Step 5: Select the Windows Media Player entry and then click on the Install button. That is it! The Media Player will be installed in a few seconds.
Disable Windows Media Player without uninstalling it
Some of you might want to disable the Windows Media Player without actually removing it. Here is how to do that.
Step 1: Type appwiz.cpl in the Start/taskbar search box and press the Enter key to open the Programs and Features window.
Step 2: In the left pane, click on the link labeled Turn Windows features on or off.
Step 3: In the resulting Windows features dialog, deselect the Media Features checkbox and then click on the OK button to disable the Windows Media Player.
How to remove Windows Media Player entries from the context menu guide might also interest you.