Windows 11 Media Player rolling out to Beta Channel Insiders

Media Player Windows 11 (Image credit: Future)

What you need to know

The new Media Player app for Windows 11 is now available for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel.
The Media Player has a refreshed look that aligns with Windows 11.
Microsoft started testing the new Media Player with Insiders in November 2021.

Microsoft's new Media Player application was recently released to Insiders in the Beta Channel. The revamped app has been in testing with Dev Channel Insiders since November 2021, but is now available for a wider range of testers. Microsoft added a brief update to its post about the Media Player for Windows 11 on February 3, 2021. That update explains that the app is now available through the Beta Channel.

The new Media Player has a modern look that lines up with Windows 11. It also supports album art and artist imagery for music and HDR playback for videos. The Media Player can be controlled through a mini player or expanded to full screen mode.

Our guide on how to get started with the Media Player on Windows 11 runs through the basics of the app, including how to manage playlists and edit track and album information.

Media Player Windows — Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

The Media Player replaces Groove Music on Windows 11. It does not, however, replace Microsoft Movies & TV (known as Films & TV in some regions), which can stream content purchased through the Microsoft Store.

Insiders in the Beta Channel or other supported channels can get the new Media Player app for Windows 11 by checking for updates in the Microsoft Store. The Media Player app will replace Groove Music through an update.

The new Media Player app is the successor to the legacy Windows Media Player app, which can still be download from Microsoft.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.