In the past we covered Windows Media Player 12 extensively and we’ve shown almost anything you can do with it, including changing its looks by using skins. We would like to resume the discussion about this application and share with you some good looking skins you might want to try.

In terms of file compatibility, Windows Media Player 12 is by far the most ecumenical to date. Where Microsoft once tacitly shunned third-party file types - such as Apple’s Quicktime (.MOV) and DivX - it now supports an impressive number of file types out of the box. Still, avid media enthusiasts will occasionally come across a video file type that Windows Media Player 12 can’t handle natively. Luckily, all you’ll need to for the small fraction of video formats that Microsoft chose not to support from the get go, is a handy codec pack. This tutorial will show you how to install the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, which enables support for virtually every video file type under the sun.

Here at 7 Tutorials, we’ve been slowly but steadily covering all of the features that Windows Media Player 12 brings to Windows 7 users. Windows Media Player has long been a favorite bundled application for organizing, ripping, burning and, of course, playing music, videos and more. Over the years, Windows Media Player has evolved, expanding in complexity and features while simultaneously streamlining its interface towards a more intuitive user experience. In our opinion, Windows Media Player 12 is the best iteration of this long running media library and playback program. After delving into our tutorials, guides and articles below and learning the ins and outs of Windows Media Player 12, we think you’ll agree.

Winamp, iTunes, Doubletwist, Songbird - the list of freeware media library and playback options for Windows 7 users goes on and on. But in spite of the glut of alternatives, Windows Media Player 12 remains a decent default media player in its own right. Sure, there are a few usability features missing, but nothing absolutely critical. And that's what makes Windows Media Player Plus! from BM Productions such a hot download. It reintroduces some of the ease of use from earlier Windows Media Player versions and adds some other tweaks that correct some of the shortcomings of Windows Media Player 12 that, while not exactly deal breakers, may have steered you away initially. With Windows Media Player Plus!, Windows Media Player 12 makes a lot more sense to more users.

Windows Media Player 12 plays video clips and DVDs as well as it does audio files. Video clips in your library will automatically be organized for you and can be played easily with a click of a button. In this tutorial, I'll show how to play imported and downloaded video clips and DVDs.

Windows Media Player 12 has an answer to the iTunes store via its online store browsing capabilities. You can browse Microsoft's own Windows Media Guide to check out free trailers, music videos and singles from top artists directly in Windows Media Player 12. Or you can visit other online content services, such as eMusic and Audible without ever leaving Windows Media Player 12. This capability gives you access to dynamic content, including featured artists, Internet Radio and sneak peaks of box office movies alongside the videos and music saved locally on your hard drive. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to choose a store, browse online stores, download and stream songs and navigate the Windows Media Guide.

In our earlier post, we showed you How to Download, Install and Apply Windows Media Player 12 skins. So, why not give your newfound knowledge a whirl by checking out some of the top 7 Windows Media Player 12 skins that are worth a download? These aren't being by any means the only good Windows Media Player 12 skins, but there are the ones that we enjoy and have installed on our machines. Our tastes may vary from yours, but we chose these skins based on functionality, flashiness and in many cases, pure quirkiness (in a good way). Check 'em out.

Skins have long been a staple of media players ever since Winamp 2.x busted onto the scene in 1998 (over a decade ago!). Windows Media Player 7 was the first Microsoft media player software to support skinning and now the floodgates have been opened. Because Windows Media Player 12 is backwards compatible with most skins back to Windows Media Player 9, there are literally hundreds of Windows Media Player 12 compatible skins to choose from and they are quicker and easier to change than your shoes (even sandals). In this tutorial, we'll show you how to apply skins as well as download skins from the Internet.

In an earlier tutorial, we showed you just how easy it is to extend the functionality of Windows Media Player 12 by installing plug-ins. As a supplement to that guide, we figured we'd rundown the coolest Windows Media Player 12 plug-ins available for download. You can find some of these at the Microsoft page that superseded WMPlugins.com, but the pickings there are conspicuously slim. So, we tested and reviewed a couple top Windows Media Player 12 plug-ins and rounded them up here, for you to check 'em out.

Plug-ins allow you to expand upon the core functionality of Windows Media Player 12 in various ways. These plug-ins easily integrate into Windows Media Player 12 and can be enabled or disabled on the fly without irreversibly altering the way the application works. In this tutorial, we'll explain the different types of Windows Media Player 12 plug-ins, show you how to view and configure plug-ins, download new plug-ins and disable and enable plug-ins.

Playlists allow you to create themed mixes or restrict playback to songs based on a certain criteria, such as your favorite songs, newly added songs and other parameters. Creating, saving and editing Windows Media Player 12 playlists and auto playlists (sometimes called "smart playlists") is incredibly easy to learn but has a great depth of potential for invested tinkerers. In this tutorial, we'll get you started on creating regular playlists and auto playlists.

Most Windows 7 users value Windows Media Player 12 because it allows them to conveniently and intuitively import, organize and find their audio and video files. But did you know that Windows Media Player 12 can do the same for pictures? Using Windows Media Player 12, you can sort, tag, rate and view the pictures in your Library as quickly and easily as it is to sort and play your music and TV shows. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to sort your pictures, edit their details and play slideshows.