Microsoft's native app requires 3.5 times more RAM than its predecessor and has started charging for the use of popular video formats.
The new Windows 11 Media Player has sparked complaints among users due to a significant increase in system resource consumption. According to technical analyses, Microsoft's native app now requires 3.5 times more RAM compared to its predecessors, Groove Music and the classic Windows Media Player. This increase in hardware usage represents a step backward in software optimization for lower-end machines.
In addition to performance issues, the update brought a change to the business model that directly affects multimedia file playback. Microsoft has started charging for support for popular video codecs that were previously offered at no additional cost within the operating system's ecosystem. This new financial requirement forces users to make in-app purchases to watch certain video formats.
The combination of higher memory consumption and the monetization of basic features raises questions about the company's strategy for its default apps. Historically, Windows offered efficient, free media playback tools as part of the original system package. The new approach indicates a move by the manufacturer toward capitalizing on services that were previously bundled with the software license.
To work around the native app's limitations, consumers may need to look for third-party alternatives. Free, open-source software such as VLC Media Player typically offers broad support for a variety of audio and video codecs without charging extra fees. The change to the Windows 11 Media Player underscores the importance of independent solutions to ensure media playback without impacting a user's budget or computer performance.
The new Windows 11 Media Player requires 3.5 times more RAM than its predecessors, Groove Music and the classic Windows Media Player.
Microsoft has shifted its business model to monetize basic features, requiring users to make in-app purchases to play certain popular video formats that were previously free.
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source third-party alternative that offers broad support for various audio and video codecs without extra fees or high memory usage.