how can I play wmv files in Windows Server 2008

[anyweb]

I downloaded a wmv file about SCCM 2007, and when I clicked on it I was greeted with this



I chose the default (check web services for a solution) and it showed me the following web page.



and I quote:

 

Windows has the following information about this file type. This page will help you find software needed to open your file.


File Type: Unknown
Description: Windows does not recognize this file type.

Yes, it's amusing that Microsoft doesn't understand it's own WMV file format.

thinking it was a Firefox issue, I tried the same URL in Internet Explorer

http://shell.windows.com/fileassoc/0409/xml/redir.asp?EXT=wmv



Oddly I got the same result, apparently Windows own websites don't understand what the WMV file extension is for....

A quick google shows lot's of sites that correctly identify the .wmv extension as a Windows Media Video file.

Anyway, back to my problem, by default I can't play a wmv file in Windows Server 2008, so to fix this I do as follows:-

Open server manager, click on Add features (found under Features Summary), select Desktop Experience



and next and then Install, you'll be informed that the Server will need to be restarted after the installation.

after the restart, the Add roles wizard will complete it's actions and you'll be able to watch WMV in all it's glory.

Alternatively you could save yourself the pain and install VLC.

[Prajwal Desai]

Desktop experience is a feature to enable the aero effect on the windows server 2008 and 2008 R2. First install the audio driver in server 2008 R2. .wmv is a file that is usually played by windows media player.

Solution : install the VLC player/klite codec pack or any third party software that can play the file.

[AlanJebakumar2]

Yes, VLC is a good alternative to media solutions.