Used Windows Media Player for Mac? Share your experience and help other users.


Key Details of Windows Media Player

  • Windows Media Player for Mac: Media player app for your Mac
  • Last updated on
  • There have been 4 updates
  • Virus scan status:

    Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)


Enlarged image for Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player 0/1

Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

For those preferring Windows media access and management abilities on a Mac platform is what Windows Media Player offers. Previously a highly desirable application on Windows it runs into difficulties on macOS.

On Mac devices Windows Media Player does not offer the extensive support found on Windows. Although it can handle Windows Media Video (WMV) and Windows Media Audio (WMA) formats it lacks several significant features from its Windows origin. Users will recognize the shortfall of support for today's formats like MP4 vital for many media libraries presently. Although it can play common media files on a basic level the issue of supporting various formats can be troublesome for different users.

Although the player can handle WMV and WMA formats efficiently it often has trouble with commonly used formats like MP4 and MOV without external tools for conversion. Users of macOS may experience difficulties due to the workaround needed for handling multiple formats if they are used to smooth file management. By transforming Windows Media files into MP4s through tools like Switch Player users find enhanced usability across different operating systems.

Although Windows Media Player for Mac offers a basic interface the old look makes it less straightforward than modern media players currently available. It may prove hard for individuals familiar with today's media players such as VLC or QuickTime to explore this application. The difficulties of its Mac integration and the necessity of outside software make it unfriendly to use.

Windows Media Player cannot adjust well into macOS's platform. To ensure compatibility with Apple devices users often must use third-party applications to convert media. For individuals who seek direct file support on macOS it is less than simple.

This interface gives a basic look and does not support customization possibilities. Although controls are accessible the design has a vintage feel unlike that found in modern media software. Users will find little to customize or rearrange the layout in this program. This reduces the entire user experience.

A free download of Windows Media Player for Mac exists; however Microsoft no longer backs it formally. As a result users will miss new features and updates affecting the software's potential compatibility with newer macOS versions. VLC Media Player features improved format support and routine updates which better fits Mac users' requirements.

Bottom Line

While Windows Media Player for Mac can handle basic Windows formats well it is inferior in terms of its user experience and format support. Because of the absence of system updates and reliance on outside applications for enhanced compatibility users could choose alternatives like VLC or Switch Player. For those that mostly handle WMV or WMA files it might still provide a function but yet it feels misplaced in the macOS ecosystem.

What’s new in version 9

  • Version 9 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.


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