Update Insider Preview silently removes Windows Media Player from your computer

After Windows Insiders updated KB4046355 to Insider Build 16299.15, it was discovered that Windows Media Player was silently removed from the computer.

Build 16299 is included in the Fall Creators Update update, scheduled to be released next month. It is not known whether this removal of Windows Media Player is intentional, which is part of this update or just a mistake.

Insiders doesn't want to lack Windows Media Player

The only way for Insiders to recognize the absence of Windows Media Player is to turn on the video. Only then will we discover that WMP has been silently uninstalled since after installing the October KB4046355 update. This update is called the FeatureOnDemandMediaPlayer but there is no detailed information about the changes.

Update Insider Preview silently removes Windows Media Player from your computer Picture 1
Windows Media Player silently disappears after the Insider update

The only thing we know is that after updating, all that's left is a blank Windows Media Player folder.

Although Windows Media Player is quite old and has a lot of much better alternatives, there are still people who use it to watch movies on their computers or stream videos to TV. These people don't need popular streaming services like Spotify but want to use their existing music collection. For them, losing WMP will be very annoying, especially if this is not an error but intention of Microsoft.

Thankfully, it is possible to reinstall Windows Media Player

Someone said that it is not possible to reinstall Windows Media Player, but someone claims to be able to get this software back from the Apps control panel. To retrieve Windows Media Player, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click on Apps
3. Select Manage Optional Features
4. Click Add a Feature
5. Scroll down, left click Windows Media Player and select Install
6. When the installation is successful, you can continue to use Windows Media Player