Can Windows Media Player Play OGG Files? (Yes, Here’s How)

Short answer: it depends on which Windows Media Player you mean. Windows now has two apps with almost the same name, and they handle OGG files very differently.

The new Media Player app can play many OGG files, especially with a free add-on from Microsoft. The old Windows Media Player (now called Windows Media Player Legacy) can’t play them without extra codecs. This guide shows you how to tell them apart and how to make OGG files play. It also covers what to do when nothing works.

The quick answer

If you just want to hear the file now, open it in our free online OGG player. It runs in Edge or Chrome and needs no install.

Which Windows Media Player do you have?

Microsoft reused the name, which confuses a lot of people. Here’s how to tell them apart.

The new Media Player

• It has an orange and pink play-button icon.
• It has a modern design with rounded corners and dark mode.
• On Windows 11, it’s the default app for music and video.
• It replaced Groove Music and later arrived on Windows 10 too.

Windows Media Player Legacy

• It has the classic round blue and orange icon.
• It looks like it did in the Windows 7 days.
• Microsoft renamed it Windows Media Player Legacy on Windows 11.
• It’s still included, but Microsoft no longer adds new features to it.

To check, press the Windows key and type media player. You’ll see which versions you have. Many PCs have both.

How to play OGG files in the new Media Player

The new Media Player uses the modern codec system in Windows. It can play OGG files if Windows has the right codec. Microsoft provides that codec for free.

Step 1: Try the file

1. Right-click your OGG file.
2. Click Open with.
3. Pick Media Player.

If it plays, you’re all set.

Step 2: Install Web Media Extensions

If you get an error, install Web Media Extensions. Microsoft’s support page says this free package adds support for OGG audio and video. That includes the OGG container, the Vorbis audio codec and the Theora video codec.

1. Open the Microsoft Store.
2. Search for Web Media Extensions.
3. Click Get. If you see Update, click that instead.
4. Close Media Player and open your OGG file again.

On many PCs this package is already installed. An update often fixes files that failed before.

Step 3: Make Media Player the default for OGG

1. Right-click an OGG file and choose Open with > Choose another app.
2. Select Media Player.
3. Click Always.

Now OGG files open in Media Player with a double-click.

Can Windows Media Player Legacy play OGG?

Not on its own. Windows Media Player Legacy was built long before OGG became common, and Microsoft never added native support.

You can add support with third-party DirectShow codecs. Some people use packs like LAV Filters for this. But we don’t recommend it for most users:

• It’s fiddly to set up.
• Results vary from file to file.
• Codec packs from random sites can bundle adware.
• The Legacy player gets no new features, so you’re fixing an old tool.

A better plan is to use the new Media Player, VLC or the online player. They all play OGG with little or no setup.

How to open each player

Can’t find the player you want? Here’s how to open each one on Windows 11:

• Media Player: Press the Windows key, type Media Player and pick the app with the orange and pink icon.
• Windows Media Player Legacy: Press the Windows key and type Windows Media Player Legacy. If it’s missing, go to Settings > Apps > Optional features. Click View features, search for Windows Media Player Legacy and install it.

On Windows 10, the new app is also called Media Player. The old one is just Windows Media Player.

Should you keep using the Legacy player?

If you only use it out of habit, it’s worth switching. The new Media Player plays more formats and looks better on sharp screens. It also gets regular updates through the Microsoft Store. The Legacy player still works for old playlists and CDs, but OGG files will keep giving you trouble.

Why doesn’t Microsoft support OGG out of the box?

Microsoft has always focused on formats it controls or licenses, like WMA, AAC and MP3. OGG is an open format from the Xiph.Org Foundation. For years, Windows left OGG support to other apps.

That changed slowly. In 2017, Microsoft released Web Media Extensions to add OGG support to Microsoft Edge and Windows. Today, the new Media Player can use it. But the Legacy player never caught up.

Common Windows Media Player errors with OGG files

“This item is in a format we don’t support” (0xc00d36c4)

This error appears in the new Media Player. It means Windows doesn’t have a codec for the file.

Fix: Install or update Web Media Extensions. Still an error? The file may use a codec the extension doesn’t cover, such as Opus in some cases. Use VLC or the online player for those.

“Windows Media Player cannot play the file” (0xc00d1199)

This error comes from Windows Media Player Legacy. The player can’t find a codec for the file type.

Fix: Open the file in the new Media Player instead. Or use VLC.

“Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file”

This general error can mean a missing codec or a damaged file.

Fix: Try the file in the online OGG player. It checks the file header and tells you if the file is broken or not a real OGG file.

What about .opus voice notes?

WhatsApp voice notes come as .opus files. Telegram voice notes are .ogg files with Opus audio inside.

Opus support in Microsoft’s players has been less consistent than Vorbis support. If Media Player won’t play your voice note:

1. Open the file in the online OGG player, or in VLC.
2. If you want a file that plays in any Microsoft app, click Download MP3.

Better alternatives to Windows Media Player for OGG

If you open OGG files often, a dedicated player saves time. These three are free and safe:

VLC media player

VLC plays every OGG format, including OGV video and .opus files. It’s free, open source and has no ads. Download it from videolan.org or the Microsoft Store.

Online OGG player

Our online OGG player runs in your browser. It doesn’t upload your file. It can also trim audio, change playback speed and convert to MP3 or WAV. It’s great for work PCs where you can’t install apps.

foobar2000

foobar2000 is a light music player for people with large music libraries. It plays OGG and OPUS files with no add-ons.

For a full comparison, see our guide to the best free OGG players for Windows 10.

How to convert OGG so Windows Media Player can play it

Maybe you prefer Windows Media Player and don’t want another app. In that case, convert your OGG files to MP3. Every version of Windows Media Player plays MP3.

1. Open the file in the online OGG player.
2. Choose an MP3 quality. Use 128 kbps for voice and 192 kbps or higher for music.
3. Click Download MP3.
4. Open the MP3 in Windows Media Player.

For many files at once, VLC’s Media > Convert / Save tool can convert a batch.

Can I add OGG files to my Windows Media Player library?

The new Media Player adds files from your Music folder to its library. If Windows can play the OGG file, it can show up there. Here’s how:

1. Move your OGG files into This PC > Music.
2. Open Media Player.
3. Click Music library. The files should appear after a short scan.

If the files don’t show up, open Settings in Media Player and check which folders it watches. Add the folder that holds your OGG files.

Windows Media Player Legacy can’t add OGG files to its library without extra codecs. Convert them to MP3 first if you want to use it.

FAQ

Does Windows Media Player support OGG?

The new Media Player app does, for most files, especially with Web Media Extensions installed. Windows Media Player Legacy does not without third-party codecs.

How do I get Windows Media Player to play OGG files?

Use the new Media Player and install Web Media Extensions from the Microsoft Store. If a file still won’t play, use VLC or convert it to MP3.

Is Web Media Extensions free?

Yes. It’s a free package from Microsoft in the Microsoft Store.

Why does Windows Media Player say the file format isn’t supported?

Windows is missing the right codec. Install or update Web Media Extensions. If that doesn’t help, the file might use Opus or another codec the player can’t handle. Try VLC.

Can Windows Media Player play OGV video?

The new Media Player can play many OGV files with Web Media Extensions, which include the Theora video codec. The Legacy player can’t. VLC plays them all.

Final word

Windows Media Player can play OGG files. You just need the new Media Player app and Web Media Extensions. For more options, see how to open OGG files on Windows 11. The old Legacy player isn’t worth the effort. For quick playback, use the free online OGG player. For a full desktop player, install VLC. And if you need a file that works in any Microsoft app, convert it to MP3.