Microsoft has announced the availability of Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP (64-bit edition). The download size is little bulkier than I expected, around 26.6 MB. Those who are still using dial-up will take more than an hour to download that. Initially this will be only available for English language users. Oh! Forgot to mention this download is available to customers running genuine Microsoft Windows, typical Microsoft: so predictable.

If your computer is running the Windows XP operating system with Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP installed and when you upgrade to the Windows Vista operating system, you must uninstall and then reinstall URGE in Windows Vista to use the URGE online store in Windows Media Player 11 in Windows Vista. Windows Media Player 11 does not permit you to back up your media usage rights (previously known as licenses). However, depending upon where your protected files came from, you might be able to restore your rights over the Internet.

There is a conflict, Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP might not be able to find a digital media receiver on your home network and therefore, won’t be able to share digital media content with the device if Windows Live OneCare is installed on your computer [Probably the port configuration issue]. And also you can not uninstall in run time, an error will pop up, probably something to do with digital copyright management.

So far the difference between 10 and 11 are very negligible. The new features are Zen device support (off course, Zen belongs to Microsoft), Digital copyright management, some new online music store and a little slicker design. Disappointing upgrade, I was expecting a lot more, since this one’s sister will be with Windows Vista. Just the requirements got high-64 MB RAM(system), 64 MB video and 200 MB minimum hard disk space isn’t small.

[tags] Microsoft, Media Player 11, XP 64 bit, Windows, Vista[/tags]