Add a plug-in to Windows Media Player

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.
Which edition of Windows Vista am I using?

You can add functionality to Windows Media Player with plug-ins such as audio effects, video effects, visualizations, or the ability to play new file formats. The Player includes a number of visualization plug-ins, and you can download additional plug-ins from the Internet. To add or remove a plug-in, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group.

The following table lists the types of plug-ins that the Player supports.

This type of plug-in	Does this
Visualization	Displays splashes of color and geometric shapes that change with the beat of the audio that is playing.
Now Playing	Adds new functionality to the Now Playing view, including the Enhancements pane.
Window	Adds new functionality in a window other than the Player window.
Background	Adds new functionality behind the scenes. It does not include a user interface.
Video DSP	Performs a video effect, such as changing the color saturation. Digital signal processing (DSP) is a method of analyzing signals (such as audio or video) and changing them to produce a desired effect.
Audio DSP	Performs an audio effect, such as changing the audio output level.
Other DSP	Performs an effect other than a traditional video or audio effect.
Renderer	Plays a content format that is not native to the Player.

Show all

To view information about the plug-ins on your computer

Click the arrow below the Now Playing tab, point to Plug-ins, and then click Options.

In the category list, click a category.

In the list of plug-ins, click a plug-in, and then click Properties to view or modify plug-in settings. Note that some plug-ins do not have settings that can be modified in the Player.

For more information about a plug-in, you can also check the website that you downloaded the plug-in from.

To download a plug-in from the Internet

1.	Click the arrow below the Now Playing tab, point to Plug-ins, and then click Download Plug-ins.
2.	The Plug-ins for Windows Media Player webpage appears. Follow the instructions on the webpage for downloading a plug-in.

To enable or disable a plug-in

You can enable or disable some plug-ins, which allows you to turn an effect on or off when you want. This is also useful when troubleshooting a non-Microsoft plug-in that is not working as expected. Some plug-ins, such as visualizations and renderer plug-ins, remain enabled as long as they are installed on your computer, but they generally are only activated when you take some specific action in the Player that requires the use of the plug-in.
1.	Click the arrow below the Now Playing tab, point to Plug-ins, and then click Options.
2.	In the category list, click a category.
3.	In the list of plug-ins, clear or select the check box next to a plug-in. If a check box is not displayed, then the plug-in can't be disabled.