Win11 Pro DLNA server No Music

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with the DLNA server on your Windows 11 Pro setup. Here are some steps you can try to resolve the issues with media streaming and settings persistence:

1. Ensure Correct Library Configuration

Since your MP3s are on D:\Music, ensure that this directory is correctly included in your Music library:

Open File Explorer.

Right-click on "Music" under Libraries and select "Properties".

Ensure D:\Music is listed. If not, click "Add" and include it.

2. Configure Media Streaming Properly

Open Control Panel and go to "Network and Sharing Center".

Click on "Media streaming options" on the left.

Ensure media streaming is enabled and your libraries (especially Music) are checked for sharing.

Under "Show devices on", make sure the network you’re using is selected (e.g., "Local network").

Ensure the devices you want to stream to are allowed.

3. Rebuild Media Player Library

There might be an issue with how Windows Media Player is indexing your files.

Open Windows Media Player.

Go to "Organize" > "Manage libraries" > "Music".

Make sure D:\Music is included.

If needed, remove and re-add the folder to rebuild the library.

4. Enable DLNA Server Permanently

To ensure the DLNA server remains enabled:

Open "Services" (press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter).

Find "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service".

Right-click on it, select "Properties".

Set the "Startup type" to "Automatic".

Start the service if it’s not running.

5. Check Power Management Settings

Ensure your PC is not disabling the network or turning off services due to power settings:

Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Power & sleep".

Click on "Additional power settings".

Select your power plan and click "Change plan settings".

Click "Change advanced power settings".

Make sure "Multimedia settings" > "When sharing media" is set to "Prevent idling to sleep".

Ensure "Allow wake timers" is enabled.

6. Verify Network Profile

Make sure your network profile is set to "Private":

Go to "Settings" > "Network & internet".

Click on your connected network.

Ensure "Network profile type" is set to "Private".

7. Firewall Settings

Ensure your firewall is not blocking media streaming:

Open Control Panel.

Go to "System and Security" > "Windows Defender Firewall" > "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall".

Ensure "Windows Media Player" and "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service" are allowed on both private and public networks.

8. Persist Settings with Group Policy (Optional)

If settings are not persisting, you can enforce them using Group Policy:

Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Media Player" > "Network Sharing".

Configure the policies to enforce media streaming settings.

1. Yes my mp3s are already included.
2. Already done this several times. It only persists for a few days.
3. Media player sees and plays all the files but it doesn't have an Organise menu option. In settings it has a Refresh libraries option which I have already tried.
4. The service was already set to automatic and is running.
5. I haven't got a system > Power & Sleep menu. I have System > Power that looks like this.

6. The network is private.
7. I use ESET for my firewall and I have tried disabling it and it makes no difference. Its logs don't show it is blocking anything relevant and I also use it on my Win7 machine and media streaming works on that.
8. There is no "Network Sharing" policy for Windows Media Player. It looks like this:

Please let me know if you have any further questions. I am happy to help you.