Windows Media Player (Windows 11) won't play AVI files, but Windows Media Player Legacy Will????

Question

Maybe I just haven't tried playing many AVI video files since I got Windows 11 (been on my laptop since it was available), but I never had trouble playing AVI video files until today. I kept getting messages that the format wasn't supported. I finally right clicked the file and selected "open with" and noticed Windows Media Player was selected as the default player, but there was also a Windows Media Player Legacy to choose from. I selected that one and it worked fine. It makes no sense that the newer version of WMP would not play these files that have been around forever, but the older version would?

In my experience, if there is a new and a legacy version of something, that legacy version eventually stops being supported. So, the obvious question here is, what will it take to get the newer version of WMP to play AVI files?

WMP Version: 11.2206.30.0

WMP Legacy Version: 12.0.22621.457

Device name DESKTOP-OL0AOLT

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz

Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.7 GB usable)

Device ID 52568741-75D0-4FB8-B012-606B87BDD3BB

Product ID 00325-81635-18078-AAOEM

System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display

Edition Windows 11 Home

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎10/‎6/‎2022

OS build 22621.521

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22634.1000.0

Answer 1

Hi RhodesMK. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, here to help you.

Here's all ways to play AVI files in WIndows 11:

https://www.windowsdigitals.com/how-to-play-avi...

https://www.winxdvd.com/play-video/windows-wont...

Report back results for each step so I know what else to suggest.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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