Member Avatar for The Dude

Maybe you dont like the current WMP you have an want to Downgrade but get the annoying message you have a newer version??


Navigate to this key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed Versions


and change the values of the 3 subkeys to whats listed below (This makes it look like you have wmp9 and can then re-install 9/10 if you want to)

"wmp.dll"=hex:00,00,09,00,a4,0b,00,00
"wmploc.dll"=hex:00,00,09,00,a4,0b,00,00
"wmplayer.exe"=hex:00,00,09,00,a4,0b,00,00

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proposes tricking the installer by changing Media Player’s stored version markers so an older installer will run; ’s caution is warranted. Faking version metadata may allow an installer to start, but it does not actually uninstall or realign the underlying binaries, registered components, codecs or DRM pieces — and that mismatch is what typically causes the system to misbehave.

Why that is risky: partial or mismatched installs can break file associations, stop protected content from playing, confuse Windows Update or future installers, and leave you with a player that crashes or fails to update. Any registry edits that try to “fool” the installer are a last resort; if they are done incorrectly the easiest recovery is often a full system restore or OS repair.

Safer, practical workflow to reinstall or revert WMP:

  • Create a full backup or at least a System Restore point and export any registry keys you plan to touch.
  • Use the OS-supported uninstall/reinstall path (Add/Remove Programs or Turn Windows features on/off, depending on OS). Reboot between disable/enable steps.
  • If the official installer refuses because it detects a newer version, restore to a point before the upgrade or use Microsoft’s documented repair/uninstall tools where available.
  • After reinstalling, run sfc /scannow to repair system file inconsistencies and test playback of DRM content.

If downgrading remains essential, test the procedure in a virtual machine first and document every change so you can undo it. For many people the quickest, safest option is to use a third‑party player (for example VLC or MPC) rather than forcing a WMP downgrade.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

it will probably fubar your machine though

and why would you want to downgrade. 11 is awesome.

Member Avatar for The Dude

Alot of people dislike 11...

And some dont like 10 either :)

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