Can’t install Windows Media player 10, getting ‘a more recent version of windows media player is already running on your computer setup cannot continue’

Question

Seems like WMP11 comes with SP3. That means WMP10 is never installed on this XP SP3 OS. Is there any way to downgrade it back to WMP10? Thanks!

EDIT: I am getting this error message no matter when trying to install WMP10. I've tried to reinstall/uninstall WMP11 but still can't fix this. Is there any place in registry that can fix this? I suspect this is not directly related to WMP registry but some dependency stuff like DRM. Thanks!

Solution 1

Issue resolved by deleting all "wmvcore.dll" and "wmploc.dll" libraries in system drive. ref: how to remove DRM. Looks like WMP installer find cached wmcore and wmploc libraries even delete them in system32 folder. Which is making downgrade WMP so painful!

Solution 2

How to uninstall Windows Media Player 11 in Windows XP

In case you'll have to install WMP 10, you can download the full installer at filehippo.com

Seems like WMP11 comes with SP3

I don't think so ... I'm running SP3 with WMP9.

However, WMP 11 is distributed via Automatic Update, so you may have to change your Windows Update settings, or WMP 11 will be back in no time. :)

Comments

[Kiran PS]

Thanks. But my WMP was installed through "Control Panel > Add remove programs > add remove windows components wizard > (by checking) Windows Media Player". So I can't either see %windir%\$ntUninstallwmp11$ or 'WMP' entry in add remove programs. How should I do with this?

[mustafabarakat]

@Stan - did you check box saying "Show updates" in add or remove programs?

[Kiran PS]

Yes! What I've done so far. 1.uncheck WMP from 'add remove windows components wizard', 2.delete C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player folder, 3.delete C:\WINDOWS\system32\wmp*, 4.Delete the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Setup\Installed from registry. But I am still getting 'a more recent version of windows media player is already running on your computer setup cannot continue'

[mustafabarakat]

@Stan - you did what?? Not really a surprise then, that the proper uninstallation method doesn't work ... is WMP listed under the following reg key? HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \MicrosoftWindows\ Current Version \Uninstall ... no, DO NOT delete this key.

[Kiran PS]

I checked 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \MicrosoftWindows\ Current Version \Uninstall' but found no WMP entry. I know it's about add remove programs list. But it wasn't there since beginning. :)

[mustafabarakat]

By now, your best bet is probably to reinstall WMP 11 properly and then uninstall it ... what a mess. and while we're at it: got any particular reason to get rid of WMP 11?

[Kiran PS]

Still getting 'a more recent version of windows media player is already running on your computer setup cannot continue' after reinstall/uninstall.

[CarlF]

According to its home page, fairuse4wm supports WMP 11.