Windows Media Player options menu

jtblake · 02-03-2008, 09:55 PM

For some reason my Windows Media Player 11 has had a brain fart. When I open the options menu all of the tabs are missing except the burn tab. How can I restore WMP to its former, functional state. I think I need to reinstall it but i can't get it to work. I could use a little help.

**OldGrayGary** · 02-04-2008, 09:22 PM

Hi jtblake

If this happened just recently, why not try System Restore, using a restore point from before the settings in WMP went wild.

Scan for malware as thoroughly as you can, too, just to rule that out. Anytime you have unexpected system behaviour, malware scans are a good precaution. Some exploits in the past year have targeted WMP.

Unfortunately, I haven't come across any techniques for reinstalling/repairing WMP in Vista, other than System Restore and Repair installs of the entire Vista operating system. I find it hard to believe Microsoft has WMP so 'embedded', especially after it's whole antitrust history with the European Union and the U.S.

Particular errors generated by WMP can sometimes be fixed, some through finding appropriate codecs, other by resolving conflicts. There is an unofficial WMP Troubleshooting page with lots of information --- http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html --- plus the official Microsoft WMP Vista Troubleshooting site --- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...eshooting.aspx

We'll have to see if some of this is addressed in Service Pack 1 ... also, when a new version of WMP becomes available, that will help some, as it will likely provide the uninstall/reinstall capability that the Vista-native WMP 11 lacks.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

02-03-2008, 09:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
jtblake Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 10 OS: Windows XP	Windows Media Player options menu For some reason my Windows Media Player 11 has had a brain fart. When I open the options menu all of the tabs are missing except the burn tab. How can I restore WMP to its former, functional state. I think I need to reinstall it but i can't get it to work. I could use a little help.

02-04-2008, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,233 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Windows Media Player options menu Hi jtblake If this happened just recently, why not try System Restore, using a restore point from before the settings in WMP went wild. Scan for malware as thoroughly as you can, too, just to rule that out. Anytime you have unexpected system behaviour, malware scans are a good precaution. Some exploits in the past year have targeted WMP. Unfortunately, I haven't come across any techniques for reinstalling/repairing WMP in Vista, other than System Restore and Repair installs of the entire Vista operating system. I find it hard to believe Microsoft has WMP so 'embedded', especially after it's whole antitrust history with the European Union and the U.S. Particular errors generated by WMP can sometimes be fixed, some through finding appropriate codecs, other by resolving conflicts. There is an unofficial WMP Troubleshooting page with lots of information --- http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html --- plus the official Microsoft WMP Vista Troubleshooting site --- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...eshooting.aspx We'll have to see if some of this is addressed in Service Pack 1 ... also, when a new version of WMP becomes available, that will help some, as it will likely provide the uninstall/reinstall capability that the Vista-native WMP 11 lacks. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________