If you use your personal computer to store and enjoy various media such as music, movies and photos (and likely you do), then you will definitely want to have a program that can help you organize and use all your media files in one place. If you own a PC then you will definitely want to consider using Windows Media Player. It gives you all the features you are looking for, and as it is a Microsoft program it will run seamlessly with all your other applications. While a search for this program both online and on the Microsoft will likely lead to results for the latest version of this software, Windows Media Classic is another option that may work for you, especially if you are concerned with adding large programs to your PC that may slow it down.

WMP Classic:  An alternative Option

Windows Media Player Classic is a lighter weight version of the Microsoft program that was developed to mimic the older version of Windows Media Player, but integrates all the features of the more recent version of the program. The features of Windows Media Player Classic includes all the usual features of the Microsoft version such as

• Plays videos both downloaded from the internet, as well as DVDs.

• Allow you to listen to music from CDs and downloaded online in a variety of formats.

• Watch Television.

• Store and Organize Photos.

It includes

• DVD and MPEG playback.

• DirectShow playback codices.

• TV Tuner.

Since Windows Media Player Classic is not actually a Microsoft product (it was developed by Guliverkli as open source software), there are a number of places online that offer this program free to download, but many of them can come with unwanted spyware and other malicious programs. If you want to download this program your best bet is ensuring that it is coming from a reputable site that offers it free of bugs.

Finding a Version of Classic on the Web

One such site is CNET. They are a reputable and trusted source of free downloads online and they include reviews of all the downloads they offer. You can download Windows Media Player Classic from them by following the link below.

http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Classic/3000-2139_4-10518778.html

An important fact to note about Windows Media Player Classic is that you have to download a complete set of codices in order for it to work properly. This will allow you to play almost 99% of all media file types you may encounter out there. CNET also offers a codec pack for this program at

http://download.cnet.com/Media-Player-Codec-Pack/3000-13632_4-10749065.html

This program is simple, functional and easy on your PC, and if you make sure that you get it from a safe online source such as CNET then you will also be keeping your PC safe!