Disable Codec Downloads in Media Player (All Windows)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Disable Codec Downloads in Media Player (All Windows)
Category: Home > Software > Media Player

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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This restriction prevents audio and video codecs from being downloaded in Windows Media Player. When enabled it also restricts the ability to re-enable downloads.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value called 'PreventCodecDownload' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.

Note: Requires Windows Media Player 8.0 or greater.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
PreventCodecDownload	REG_DWORD	0x00000001 (1)


	HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer

Settings:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer]
Name: PreventCodecDownload
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (0 = disabled, 1 = enable restriction)

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: April 15, 2002

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