I tried Windows Media Player again. Here's what surprised me | Digital Trends

Windows Media Player has evolved, offering a sleek and user-friendly interface with features like subtitle and audio track management, making it a competent choice for basic video playback. However, it falls short due to critical drawbacks such as the absence of free HEVC support, a codec widely used but now requiring a paid add-on. Moreover, it lacks advanced features found in free alternatives like VLC, such as online subtitle search and metadata fetching for videos. While it covers the basics well, these limitations make it a less compelling choice compared to other free media players.

Windows Media Player 11 review: Windows Media Player 11 - CNET

Windows Media Player 11 impresses with a sleek, user-friendly interface and excellent performance, especially for large media libraries. Its integration with MTV's Urge music service is a notable highlight. However, as a beta release, it has some bugs and lacks a podcast directory. Despite these issues, it's a must-have upgrade for Windows XP users, transforming Microsoft's media player into a strong contender against iTunes. With smart design choices and powerful features, WMP 11 delivers a seamless digital media experience, making it Microsoft's best jukebox effort yet.

Windows Media Player – Absolutely Baching