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 »  Home  »  User Interface Page 3  »  Delete/Repair the Windows Media Player Library
Delete/Repair the Windows Media Player Library
By  Super Admin  | Published  02/23/2005 | User Interface Page 3 | Rating:
Delete/Repair the Windows Media Player Library

If you have moved your music around on your hard drives, Windows Media Player continues to add new entries into it's library instead of modifying the existing ones. This means that you will now have multiple entries for the same song, half of which will not work now because you have moved the files to their new location. To delete the current library and build a new one, do the following:

1. Close Windows Media Player, wait about 3 seconds for the database to close.

2. Using "My Computer", navigate to the following folder:
F (or whatever drive is appropriate for you):\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index

3. Delete the "wmplibrary....db" file here. This is not your actual music, only the database which Windows Media Player uses as a listing.

4. Start Windows Media Player

5. Hit "F3" and enter the location where you have moved your music to. If it is on muliple drives, check "All Drives". Let it finish.

You're Done!
All the old listings will now be gone, and you will only have the new accurate ones.
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Comments
  • Comment #1 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Just what i needed. thanks
     
  • Comment #2 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    nice
     
  • Comment #3 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    because it was easy to follow,and worked first time which is a first for me.
     
  • Comment #4 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    NO help at all
     
  • Comment #5 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Very helpful and the instuctions were easy to follow aswell thanx alot
     
  • Comment #6 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    With Media Player 10 in Windows XP you need to go to your username instead of All Users, then to the Media Player folder and delete those files.
     
  • Comment #7 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    It matches my exact situation but the help does not do what it described it should. After waiting for it to regenerate the list it didn't do a damn thing. All of the old music was still there. How in the world so I get rid of my old music entries?!
     
  • Comment #8 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    i have tried everything and including this and it doesnt work
     
  • Comment #9 (Posted by Al)
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    This only works for Windows Media Player 9. For Windows Xp with Windows Media Player 10 you need to delete the .wmdb file from the following location. Documents and Settings.....”Whatever your user name is”…Local SettingsApplicationDataMicrosoftMedia Player If you can’t find it there search your harddrive for *.wmdb files, that should track it dowm.
     
  • Comment #10 (Posted by Tom)
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    I have wmp v10 on an XP machine, I have searched my system drive for *.wmdb files but have not found any. I have enabled the "show hidden files" and also unchecked the "hide protected os files" but still no joy. Any suggestions would be appreciated, otherwise Im stuck with this useless out of date library.
     
  • Comment #11 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    incorrect. Does not work.
     
  • Comment #12 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I'd love an advanced user section on how to edit that file so the correct ones don't have to be rediscovered, but that's pretty minor. I'm also curious about the files in the same folder called CurrentDatabase_....wmdb. Do these affect the library in any way?
     
  • Comment #13 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    *.wmdb does not exist anywhere on my machine
     
  • Comment #14 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Does not work for Media Player 10. All the subsequent comments also do not work.
     
  • Comment #15 (Posted by pd)
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    To do this in Media Player 10, replace steps 2 and 3 with: delete CurrentDatabase_219.wmdb from C:Documents and SettingsyourusernameLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player
     
  • Comment #16 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Also read this if the above does not work: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter/mediaadvice/0089.mspx#491 How can I create a new library?
     
  • Comment #17 (Posted by sun)
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    Try this if nothing works: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter/mediaadvice/0089.mspx#491 How can I create a new library? sun
     
  • Comment #18 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    comment 8 (and 14) worked for me. XP Pro/WMP10answered the problem for me
     
  • Comment #19 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    why media player doesnt have this option I do not know. Great info thanks
     
  • Comment #20 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Too bad Microsoft doesn't provide better answers to real-world ops issues in their own KB articles...
     
  • Comment #21 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Didn't change anything. I still have duplicates. Any other ideas?
     
  • Comment #22 (Posted by Finally Organized)
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    STEP 8 DOES IT FOR winME/9 series player Your a genius man
     
  • Comment #23 (Posted by paris)
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    I couldn't find the files at first. You should allow some time after shuting down mp10 for the db to close properly. If that doesn't work try rebooting. The *.wmdb files are there!
     
  • Comment #24 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    doesn't work in media plyaer 10.
     
  • Comment #25 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    It is great info, but some stuff gets left behind- unless it's just something coming from my end.
     
  • Comment #26 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Thank you! This information saved me hours of frustration! Why doesn't Microsoft publish this as part of their knowledgebase? You are fantastic!
     
  • Comment #27 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    its wrong
     
  • Comment #28 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    told me axeactly what I wanted to know
     
  • Comment #29 (Posted by CorradoVT)
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    Comment #15 worked for me. ============================================== How can I create a new library? 1. Close Windows Media Player. 2. Locate the database file on the computer that contains your library entries. Typically, the library database file (CurrentDatabase_219.wmdb) is located in the following directory: systemdriveDocuments and Settingsuser_nameLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player 3. Right-click the file, and then click Rename. 4. Rename the file by changing its file extension to .bak. 5. Start the Player. When you do so, a new library database file is created. 6. Press F3 on your keyboard to open the Add to Library by Searching Computer dialog box. 7. Click the Browse button to locate a folder on your computer that contains digital media files. Specify the folder location in the Look in box. 8. Click the Search button. The Player will search for digital media files and playlists in the folder that you specify and add them to your library. If you have your files and playlists stored in different folders on your computer, you may need to search for files several times, specifying a different folder each time. ============================================== from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/knowledgecenter/mediaadvice/0089.mspx#491
     
  • Comment #30 (Posted by da kine)
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    I've found the file I need to delete, but no matter what I do windows will not let me delete it because it says that it is in use by another program. I have shut my computer down completely and booted it up again after a few minutes to no avail.
     
  • Comment #31 (Posted by michelle)
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    My above link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925718 only clears the database in Windows Media Player 11 :)
     
  • Comment #32 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Maybe the article is OK, but the workaround is not really nice
     
  • Comment #33 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Clear and to the point. I even used it for my Pocket PC - different locations, but at least I know what to look for
     
  • Comment #34 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    wmplib file not in specified location.
     
  • Comment #35 (Posted by julesz)
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    I couldnt find any .wmdb files with a search, but paste this exactly into a run command - it works. %userprofile%Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player
     
  • Comment #36 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    thanks - on the right track - but you HAVE to be able to viw hidden files & directories first!! thanks
     
  • Comment #37 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    It didn't work the library stayed intact and the file is no longer in the folder... however if you place the file in a play list and click on it it will tell you it can't find it and give you the option of purging the library of files that can't be found
     
  • Comment #38 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    wmplibrary...db file does not exists... still i have playlist problems
     
  • Comment #39 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    file mentioned didn't exist
     
  • Comment #40 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I have the same problem as Comment 28... please help
     
  • Comment #41 (Posted by Willy)
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    And when everything fails, then what. I tried all 40 odd remarks here
     
  • Comment #42 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    People like you who are willing to take the time to save others from frustration and hell rock!! thank you so much i finally got to delete the whole list on the My Music list in the player (because it would constantly show up even when i deleted the song files). thanks again
     
  • Comment #43 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    it worked swell thanks for the advice! but i have another question about deleting the "shortcuts" that show up when you press "File". the shortcuts show up in a section under the "Properties" and "Work offline" button. Even though i previously deleted all my songs from my computer, these shortcuts still show up whenever I press File. Help?
     
  • Comment #44 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    completely clear & accurate instructions
     
  • Comment #45 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    very helpful and informative, it was taking me days sometimes to delete files dozen by dozen from my media library ...thanks u guys ;o)
     
  • Comment #46 (Posted by michelle)
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    The only thing that worked for me was this artcle: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925718 I follwed the steps and HOORAY!!
     
  • Comment #47 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    If this works this help is excellent. Will try soon.
     
  • Comment #48 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Excellent ! Is slightly different on Vista, but it worked - thanks a lot !
     
  • Comment #49 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Also delete any files labeled currentdatabase, that are located here: C:Documents and SettingsTonyLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player
     
  • Comment #50 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    short and clear explaination, which was found easily
     
  • Comment #51 (Posted by iamneer)
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    This will work for WMP 11 in XP & Vista. Follow this link. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925718
     
  • Comment #52 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    this didn't help but comments 8 & 14 did. thanks
     
  • Comment #53 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    excellent i am having trouble with a burned cd after i have cleared wmp db files wmp is still finding old names ripped to pc for music files
     
  • Comment #54 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    what If I've searched in google for repairs of Broken playlists in windows median player. the lists I've been playing over 8 years time and they are like hundreds of them. would those be fixed automatically too. or the entries from lists would go away :S
     
  • Comment #55 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    It's incorrect and does not work
     
  • Comment #56 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Thanks for the help, but this is what worked for me, and I have Media Player 10: Delete any files labeled currentdatabase, that are located here: C:Documents and SettingsTonyLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player
     
  • Comment #57 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Only deleting C:Documents and Settings[Your Profile]Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia PlayerCurrentCurrentDatabase_219.wmdb worked for me. You can also prevent the player from accidentally rescanning everything in you just deleted by specifying your "watch folders". This is located in Tools/Options/Library and click on Monitor Folders. Remove/Add the folders with just the info you want displayed and only that will reappear after clearing your library.
     
  • Comment #58 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    My Media Index folder is empty. I looked everywhere on my computer for another one, but there is only one and there is nothing in it.
     
  • Comment #59 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    There is no such file as "):Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Index"
     
  • Comment #60 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Thanks!!
     
  • Comment #61 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Thanks
     
  • Comment #62 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    does not work on windows xp media , there is no file in the folder you state
     
  • Comment #63 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    there was no file in the suggested location
     
  • Comment #64 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I thought my media player had gone mad. Could not locate or add new files to the library, could not delete earlier lists etc. It runs perfect now. Many thanx!!!!
     
  • Comment #65 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    "does what it says on the tin" - thank you (Win XP / WMP11)
     
  • Comment #66 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Which version does this apply to? There is no wmplibrary on my computer. Just a big messed up library. WMP v11.
     
  • Comment #67 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    clear, succint and simple.
     
  • Comment #68 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I have been searching for something of this nature for quite some time and finally i'm on the road to recovery. thanks
     
  • Comment #69 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    In my laptop there isn't any file called "wmplibrary"
     
  • Comment #70 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I want Vista, not XP.
     
  • Comment #71 (Posted by Terry)
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    Comment #48 works just fine for WMP V10. His suggestion for cleaning up the "Watch Folders" is the key to eliminating the "HUGE" library lists from reappearing.
     
  • Comment #72 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    didnt work
     
  • Comment #73 (Posted by Martin)
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    I have another problem with WMP - I added some files to my library from a CD but the names of songs were like "track 01" so WMP saved them as "xx track xx.wma" ... I found these names and renamed the songs in my the WMP library. the problem is: The files are still named like 01 Track 01.wma. Is there a way how to rename these files automatically??? I would be lucky if you could help
     
  • Comment #74 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    No "Application Data" folder
     
  • Comment #75 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    i cannot go further than All drives, as there is no Application data in this file
     
  • Comment #76 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    that file wasn't in that directory
     
  • Comment #77 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Initial post and subsequent updates made this relatively simple for me running XP & WMP 11. I purged all the Windows Media Library files out C:Documents and Settings yournamehere Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player for myself and my other accounts on the machine, as well as the Media Index for 'All Users'. Worked like a charm.
     
  • Comment #78 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    this actually work. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY. WEEL DONE, THANK YOU
     
  • Comment #79 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Does not work for WMPlayer 11
     
  • Comment #80 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I have no wmlibary....db file to delete. After I hit F3 there are choices to make, this article doesn't tell you about them. Also there is no place to check "All Drives" I'm still having trouble. Some of my mp3 files aren't in my libary. I'm still messing with it to try and get all my music listed.
     
  • Comment #81 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    WMP 11 doesn't seem to store the library at that location
     
  • Comment #82 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Obsolete crap...
     
  • Comment #83 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I did this several times... i even did a reboot on my computer before and after the deletion of the wmplibrary file and the old info was still there. this is a problem for me since i have over 100gigs of music that i just moved.
     
  • Comment #84 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    This does not work. It will not let me delete my database.
     
  • Comment #85 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Doesnt work for me. could not find the file!!!
     
  • Comment #86 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    good advice - worked for me. my wmp just started locking up and the whole pc would follow after a few seconds. followed this and it works fine now.
     
  • Comment #87 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    This article was exactly what I was looking for and it solved my problem. Thank You!
     
  • Comment #88 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    DOesn't work with WMP 11 - there's nothing in that folder (it must have been created by a previous version).
     
  • Comment #89 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Did not solve my problem, but great insight and advice. Unfortunately F3 screen won't accept anything in the 'monitored Floders' field - and disappears as soon as I update it. Thereby no monitored folders.
     
  • Comment #90 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    It doesn't work.
     
  • Comment #91 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I can't find the "F (or whatever drive is appropriate for you):Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Index" part....where the hell is it?? It's not showing!
     
  • Comment #92 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    thanks a lot boss i was facing a lot of problems , those are solved now.
     
  • Comment #93 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    OK, good to know I can delete this stinko and useless (to me) 8 gig file. I'm a Winamp user. Too bad MS won't let you put it where you want. (I mean on a different partition.)
     
  • Comment #94 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    it's exactly what i was looking for! thank you!
     
  • Comment #95 (Posted by JoeyP)
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    How come in Windows Vista Home Premium it the UAC will ask for my permission to open the folder and then deny me access....strange.....
     
  • Comment #96 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I couldn't find the library database in the folder it says it's in
     
  • Comment #97 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    THANK YOU all other reference info including Microsoft tells you to delete the database file in a different location!
     
  • Comment #98 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    The copy of the file I had was two years old and didn't actually fix anything when I deleted it. Article doesn't say what version of Media Player this applies to?
     
  • Comment #99 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    you are a god! whoever posted this should immediately be made CEO of Microsoft - because you are smarter than Microsoft will ever be. I love you,
     
  • Comment #100 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    I'm not done! NEXT
     
  • Comment #101 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    Theres a command you can run inside wmp that does the same thing. Here's the instructions. -Click on the down arrow under "Library" -On that context menu select "apply media information changes" -then just go through the next dialog
     
  • Comment #102 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    please restore my window media player
     
  • Comment #103 (Posted by Christopher Girodat)
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    End Windows Media Player. Go to C:Documents and Settingsyour_usernameLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player, and delete all of the files of type "Windows Media Library". When you run Windows Media Player, your library will be empty and ready to add new files.
     
  • Comment #104 (Posted by Sturmrabe)
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    WMP11 users see post 49!!! And I can't remember which comment it was, but a couple down from that one in the 50's someone talks about disabling watched folders in tools_>Options, Library Tab... yeah, DO THAT! :)
     
  • Comment #105 (Posted by an unknown user)
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    The instructions were fine and easy to follow, but because I had Vista, I couldn't see the file I needed, even when you follow comment 113!
     
  • Comment #106 (Posted by alefalko)
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    WINDOWS XP SP2 WMP 9 connected as USER ( not as ADMINISTRATOR ); I navigated to :Documents and SettingsmyusernameLocal SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftMedia Player and deleted the *.wmdb files there and it WORKED. THANKS to super admin, comment 10 and comment 106
     
  • Comment #107 (Posted by an unknown user)
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