Windows Media Player 9 Registry Toolkit

This is also for any version after WMP 9, Yes it is for WMP 10. So I will say this is for WMP 9+.
What it isn't for is any WMP before WMP9 that is why the warning.

Installation of Windows Media Player 9 introduces some problems for the stationery world. However, it is a slicker player and has some neat scripting enhancements. Enter the new frontier if you dare.

The WMP9 Registry Toolkit surmounts most of the problems introduced by the new player from Microsoft. DO NOT PROCEED with any install until you read the problem description below.

WARNING: WMP9 Registry Toolkit is for Windows Media Player 9 systems ONLY.

WARNING: Software fix is offered "As Is", with no warranty implied.

If you do install Windows Media Player 9 and the Toolkit, it is strongly suggested that you start using media streaming scripts that are compatible with the new generation player (WMP7,8,9). Some scripts are available on this Letterman page. DO NOT rely on the Toolkit fix to keep old generation players (NetShow & WMP6.4) going forever.

---

The problem:

The following changes are put in place when you install the new Windows Media Player 9. They were introduced in the name of internet security:

1. The Active Movie Control object no longer embeds specialized file types like .SWF (Flash) and .EOT (web fonts).

2. Media Player 6.4 is partially disabled.

3. NetShow Player is partially disabled.

The end change to your system is this:

1. Sending and receiving Flash stationery is no longer possible.

2. Sending and receiving stationery that shows special fonts (EOT) is no longer possible.

3. The old media player 6.4 streaming scripts won't work when you send them in an e-mail or post.

4. The old NetShow Player streaming scripts won't work when you try to receive a NetShow streamed audio.

5. Some additional incompatibilities are introduced between the WMP9 and the older 7.1, 8, and 6.4 players.

A word of caution before you become further involved. If you just want others who are using the new player to be able to hear or see YOUR streamed media, you don't have to install the new Windows Media Player 9 at all, thus you won't need the the WMP9 Registry Toolkit. Simply discard your old NetShow streaming scripts (clsid:2179C5D3-EBFF-11CF-B6FD-00AA00B4E220) and use either the 6.4 media player (clsid:22D6F312-B0F6-11D0-94AB-0080C74C7E95) or preferably the 7,8,9 generation media player (clsid:6BF52A52-394A-11d3-B153-00C04F79FAA6) to stream. Be sure to use the newest scripts for the 7,8,9 series player. Older scripts using the visibility:hidden and display:none style attributes can cause problems with WMP9.

A recommendation. Sooner or later, many if not most people will have the new player, either due to buying a new computer or downloading the WMP9 player outright. The future is coming, like it or not. At least give some thought to using the new streaming scripts that will be made available by Richard Eagle, Ohmster, and others. They should work with all players, even if you decline to install WMP9.

Taking the leap:

Note: It is possible to uninstall the new player if you don't wait too long. No regular uninstall process has been included by Microsoft. It is done through system restore checkpoints. If you install other software and make other other systems changes over a period of time after the install of the new media player, you will be UNABLE TO GO BACK without losing what you have done in between. It is unclear whether Windows 98 SE users will be able to uninstall the player at all due to no system restore checkpoint ability.

Last, but not least. Neither Windows Media Player 9 nor WMP9 Registry Toolkit is for Windows 98 standard systems. If you are not running at least Windows 98 Special Edition or higher, DO NOT PROCEED.

Okay, you've still decided to install? Go out to the Microsoft site and get the new Windows Media Player 9. You will see several choices. Be sure to get the most recent verison which is made for your system. A separate player is required for Windows XP and earlier systems.

Download the player and click on the .EXE to install. Total download size is about 10-13MB. The install will set a security checkpoint on Windows ME systems and newer. This is your uninstall point should you ever decide to go back.

Now, install the WMP9 Registry Toolkit per the instructions below. You MUST install the Toolkit and make one modification to at least regain file embedding capability. Be sure to read the Help file and take a look at the ReadMe file for further detail on settings changes for this and the players.


Download WMP9 Registry Toolkit 16k

Unzip the ZIP file supplied and save the unzipped files to a new folder. Click on the .EXE to run WMP9 Registry Toolkit. Be sure to click the Help button and read the short description of settings changes recommendations. To uninstall Toolkit, simply delete the files and folder.

This is a Visual Basic program, so requires you to have the current VB6 Runtime files. You do have them, right? I'll be offering more software here in the future as the site gets updated. Most of you have them already, but if you get a program error, go to the VB Runtime Files page. They can be downloaded from there.

Many thanks to Richard Eagle, Ohmster, Cheryl Soshnik, Uncle Gus, and Donald Anadell for their work in resolving these issues with the new player!

In my personal opinion, the future of computing lies not in clinging to the past, but in pushing onward toward new solutions and new technologies. DO NOT rely on the Toolkit fix to keep old generation players (NetShow & WMP6.4) going forever. Sooner or later they may be withdrawn by Microsoft, or totally disabled. This can happen at any time, with any Windows Update. Toolkit was written not to keep the status quo, but to provide an interim solution while we push on.

Here's a screenshot taken of WMP9 Registry Toolkit doing its thing.