Resolved Windows Media Player curse!

I am running Windows XP SP3 (only because some of my peripherals such as scanners refuse to work on Windows 7) on a laptop.

I have tried to remove Windows Media Player 9.0 numerous times using many methods as I just do not want it - It has never worked for me. When I insert any DVD, commercial or burned, I get the WMP window followed by a much-hated, unhelpul popup saying, "WMP cannot play this DVD because a compatible DVD Decoder is not installed on your computer ". So, to humor it, I click on Web help, which takes me to:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player/plug-ins#DVDDecoder\

However, I am using an ATI card but I see nothing there to help me.

Can anyone please tell me how to remove this annoying software, which comes up every time I load a DVD, but never plays it, OR if there is a place where I can find these cottonpicking codecs? I thought that Microsoft would have the sense to include on the OS CD codecs to run one of its own software!

Thanks.

 

WMP is a integral part of Windows XP and can not be removed.
You can only up or down grade WMP. I use WMP heaps and don't mind it at all,
what I would suggest to you is upgrade your WMP 9 to 11 and install KLite Codecs and you will find WMP much more pleasing.
hawk22

 

You could also try VLC as a player.

If you want to use WMP as your player, you have to install codecs. As suggested by hawk22, K_lite Codec is a good choice.

 

Thanks to both of you for the helpful responses. Okay, I am open to working with it if only I could find the codecs. Now that I know, I will go with K Lite. And, rsinfo, I have used VLC but only to play my HD videos as not too many out there will play .m2ts files properly. However, when I insert a regular CD, it is WMP that pops up without fail, not VLC. I have tried to configure AutoPlay settings to point to VLC, to no avail. Let me try K Lite.

 

Try this.
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-windows/3e75bc11-4473-4328-b3ac-7819016f3dbb

 

Thanks, Mr, Bill. I did look at it but it doesn't apply to me as I use a fabulous third party software for my iPod - iTunes is not even on my PC.

 

iTunes isn't on my PC either. But I can select what I want to play with what.

 

Okay. That's where the problem lies with my PC. Like it or not, Media Players keeps popping up!

Actually, I have decided to solve the whole issue by installing Nero 7. My burning and playback needs are met quite splendidly by Nero. Nero is just too briliant - it strong-armed Media Player into submission! I am now enjoying all my DVD's troublefree on Nero Showtime!