Windows Media Player SDK
[The feature associated with this page, Windows Media Player SDK, is a legacy feature. It has been superseded by MediaPlayer. MediaPlayer has been optimized for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft strongly recommends that new code use MediaPlayer instead of Windows Media Player SDK, when possible. Microsoft suggests that existing code that uses the legacy APIs be rewritten to use the new APIs if possible.]
This documentation describes the Microsoft Windows Media Player Software Development Kit (SDK). The Windows Media Player SDK is one of the components of the Microsoft Windows SDK. Other media components include the Microsoft Media Foundation SDK, the Microsoft Windows Media Format SDK, and the Microsoft Windows Media Services SDK.
The Windows Media Player SDK documents programming technologies that can be used to extend the capabilities of Windows Media Player and Windows Media Player Mobile. These technologies are documented in the following sections:
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| About the Windows Media Player SDK | This section provides details about how to find specific information in the SDK. It includes a section about new features and information about how to use the samples included with the SDK. |
| Windows Media Player Object Model | The Microsoft Windows Media Player control is a Microsoft ActiveX control used for adding digital media playback capabilities to webpages. It provides a programming interface for rendering digital media files and streams. |
| Windows Media Player Skins | Skins are an XML-based technology used to customize the user interface of Windows Media Player. You can also use Windows Media Player Mobile skins to customize the user interface of Windows Media Player Mobile. |
| Windows Media Player Plug-ins | Plug-ins are objects that extend Windows Media Player functionality in a variety of ways. Plug-in types include custom visualizations, user interface plug-ins, DSP plug-ins, and rendering plug-ins. Windows Media Player Mobile plug-in support is also described in this section. |
| Windows Media Metafiles | Windows Media Metafiles are XML documents that provide information about a media item and its presentation. Metafiles can be used to organize media items into playlists that can include functionality for seamless stream switching, ad insertion, and other features. |
| Windows Media Playlists | Playlists are files that use XML elements to define either a dynamic "smart" playlist of media items or a static set of media items. |
| Windows Media Player Online Stores | Windows Media Player provides functionality that enables digital media content providers to integrate their services with Windows Media Player. Integration between the Player and an online digital media store enables the user to locate content, download and manage files, play content, and copy content to CDs or devices. |
| Windows Media Player | Some features of the SDK apply to Windows Media Player, the Windows Media Player ActiveX control, and Windows Media Player Mobile. This section provides information about these features. |
| Glossary | This section contains definitions of terms used throughout the SDK. |
Note
Installing the Windows SDK does not install Windows Media Player or Windows Media Player Mobile. You must have Windows Media Player installed to use the material in this SDK. Windows Media Player Mobile is a part of Windows Mobile, which is available only on a Pocket PC or Smartphone supplied by a device manufacturer or mobile operator.
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