Skip to main content

Windows 11 might finally be giving us a new media player

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest operating system, releasing next week. A new app for playing media content could possible accompany a new OS. This new app would hopefully streamline the litany of media player apps currently in Windows 10.

As reported by Windows Latest, Microsoft recently held a Windows Insider webcast that detailed the latest changes to Windows 11 and the Insider Program itself. During the webcast, As part of the webcast, Frank Chen, senior program manager, introduced a new feature called Focus Sessions in the Clock app. Instead of an actual live demo, he played a video of the feature being used. Astute viewers may have noticed that the name of the player being used was Media Player.

The leaked Windows 11 media player.
Microsoft

Windows 10 currently has a variety of media players that come with the operating system, including the tried-and-true Windows Media Player, the Movies & TV app, and Groove Music. The latter of those, Groove Music, was Microsoft’s previous attempt to get into the streaming music business. The company shuttered the service in 2018 and opted to partner with Spotify instead.

Recommended Videos

This new Media Player may just be a reskin of the existing Windows Media Player or it could be a way to fuse all three of those legacy Windows 10 apps into one. It could combine the functionality of each into a more robust app that would allow you to listen to your Spotify playlist while being able to rent movies and TV shows. All of this is speculation since Microsoft hasn’t officially announced it, but it wouldn’t be a stretch considering Microsoft’s goal of making Windows 11 much easier to use.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Speaking of easier to use, let’s go back to the Focus Sessions feature. As mentioned, it’s built into the Windows 11 Clock app and integrates with Windows To Do. You’ll be able to create a Focus Timer and listen to Spotify while the timer counts down. This could be super helpful when trying to study for a big test or grinding out some last minute work that demands your full attention. Windows Insiders can give the new Focus Sessions a whirl now.

The Clock isn’t the only built-in app that received some TLC from Microsoft. In August, we detailed how the company is updating built-in apps such as the Snipping Tool, Calculator, and the Mail and Calendar app. Most of the updates center on support for Fluent Design, themes, and emphasis on touch control.

David Matthews
Former Digital Trends Contributor
David is a freelance journalist based just outside of Washington D.C. specializing in consumer technology and gaming. He has…
I’ve been waiting for this possible Windows 11 transfer tool
Windows 11 on several devices.

A new transfer app for Windows 11 may be in the works, as Dongle and Microsoft watcher Phantomofearth discovered it in a preview build, as Windows Latest reports. If released, the transfer app could offer options like "Back up to this PC" and "Transfer files to a new PC," streaming the migration process without needing an external storage device or cloud services.

Once you've made your selection, the process continues. The app could ask you to connect your old PC to the same Wi-Fi network, highlighting that it'll use wireless transfer mode. If you've used Nearby Sharing, the transfer app's process will feel familiar since it might be used to make the transfer process possible. The app could ask you to pair the two PCs to begin the transfer. The app should start the transfer session on the new PC and recommend connecting to a power source since the process could take a while. However, the app could not show the available controls or the set of files it'll copy.

Read more
Windows 10 KB5051974 update adds a new app without asking
A Dell laptop with Windows 10 sitting on a desk.

Microsoft has released the KB5051974 cumulative update for versions 22H2 and 21H2, adding security fixes and patching a memory leak. However, as Bleeping Computer reports, the update also includes a surprise: the new Outlook for Windows app.

The update is mandatory because it includes the January 2025 Patch Tuesday security updates. Once you install it, you will notice the new app icon near the classic one in the Start Menu's apps section. Since the new app can operate concurrently, you don't have to worry about interfering with the old one.

Read more
Windows 11’s February 2025 update fixes annoying bugs
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Microsoft's February 2025 cumulative update brings much-needed relief to Windows 11 users, fixing Auto HDR issues that caused game crashes, audio output disruptions, and USB webcam detection problems, as reported by Bleeping Computer. The patch, KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 users and KB5051989 for 23H2 addresses these irritating bugs and is mandatory.

The update fixes the Auto HDR problem that interfered with the colors and caused game crashes, improving the gaming experience. Furthermore, the update fixes a bug that cut off audio output, especially if you were using a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), though others were affected. Moreover, a rare issue displayed a "This device cannot start" message, but you may not have seen that one.

Read more