Windows Media Player Plus

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If you've been a loyal Windows Media Player user for years, there's something you need to check out—Windows Media Player Plus. This plugin takes Microsoft's tried-and-true media player and injects it with a whole new level of functionality and finesse.

The search upgrade we've been waiting for

Let's be honest, searching in the standard Windows Media Player can be a bit of a drag. Windows Media Player Plus overhauls this with a powerful "find as you type" search that shows matching results the moment you start typing. It's a huge time-saver when you're digging through large music or video libraries. No more laborious scrolling and clicking.

Tag editing made easy (and powerful)

Ever been frustrated by disorganized or incorrect tags in your music collection? Windows Media Player Plus comes to the rescue with its Tag Editor Plus. This feature gives you deep metadata editing power, perfect for music enthusiasts who like things meticulously organized. And the best part? Tag Editor Plus even works with the modern Windows Media Player 12, where Microsoft removed the original Advanced Tag Editor.

The little touches that matter

Windows Media Player Plus is full of those welcome quality-of-life improvements. How about automatically resuming your last played song or video when you open it up? Or the ability to control Windows Media Player from anywhere on your system using customizable global hotkeys? These might seem small, but they streamline the experience significantly.

For DJs, party hosts, and anyone who loves audio

If you often curate music for parties or events, Windows Media Player Plus is a gem. Its crossfading feature blends tracks seamlessly, ensuring the party never skips a beat. The ability to normalize volume across songs creates a consistent listening experience – no more jarring jumps in loudness. Plus, the Party Shuffle mode dynamically adds random selections for a hands-off approach to keeping the music flowing.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely! Windows Media Player Plus takes a well-established media player and turns it into a powerhouse for both casual listeners and music organization aficionados. The quality-of-life improvements, plus the powerful search and tagging, make it a must-have if you use Windows Media Player frequently. Oh, and did I mention it's free?

Best alternatives to Windows Media Player Plus

While Windows Media Player Plus offers a ton of value, it's worth considering these excellent alternatives:

• VLC Media Player: An open-source powerhouse that handles virtually any media format you throw at it. It's incredibly customizable.
• MusicBee: A dedicated music player/organizer with a clean interface and plenty of advanced features for audiophiles.
• Foobar2000: Extremely lightweight and highly customizable, this is a favorite among users seeking a minimalist yet powerful player.

Final thoughts

Windows Media Player Plus is one of the best ways to enhance the Windows Media Player experience. If you're looking for alternatives, the options above are all solid choices. No matter which you choose, you'll be taking your media enjoyment to the next level!