Fix a Messed Up Windows Media Player Library

Written by mypchell.com

Windows Media Player (versions 9, 10 and 11) has a rather annoying problem where it will sometimes list duplicate songs/videos in your library (which is a problem, especially if your music is not in one centralized location). So for this article I will show you how to clean up a Windows Media Player Library mess and get your Windows Media Player library listed correctly.

Note: Click on any image for a larger view of that particular image.

First, make sure WMP (WMP =Windows Media Player) is closed.

Although WMP can handle multiple locations, it is recommended that you centralize where you are keeping your music (note that for this guide, I will focus only on Music. This procedure can be applied to video and photos as well).

First we need to locate and delete the library index. To do this, Click Then

Choose All Files and Folders , then for the All or part of the file name, put *.wmdb , Change the Look in to My Computer. And make sure that Under the More Advanced Options That the all boxes are checked except Case Sensitive Then click SEARCH

When the search is complete, Delete All of the files that it found (these should be all WMDB files)

Next, is an optional step. I strongly suggest, that you keep your music all together in one folder (Note it is ok to have subfolders within the main music folder). If you do not know where all of your music is do a search. This time, we would choose Pictures, Music, or Video and check mark Music, then do not type anything in the All or part of the name Area, so that the search finds All Music.

This will produce a complete list of all MUSIC files on your pc. Move them into a centralized folder. As I said this is a optional, but recommended step.

Finally, the last step, is to reopen Windows Media Player, it will automatically search your PC for Media files, and you will see this screen:

If it doesn’t start automatically searching, either, click on the Click Here button or, hit F3 . Windows Media Player will now cleanly rebuild your library.

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not null said:

	For some reason, every song in my library was present twice, duplicated in same album/cd so I would have to make a playlist or listen to each song twice in a row. Followed the directions and it worked like a charm without any data/song loss. Thanks, great tip.
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February 03, 2007
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rjvay said:

	I was very happy to see that fix. Is thier something similiar to that for HP photosmart premier?
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February 15, 2007
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zummy said:

	OY! It says it will take over 10 hours (and rising)... I think it will be worth it though. Thanks!
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March 27, 2007
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forgery said:

	Had to relocate my entire music folder so this will totally clean out my library and get rid of all the duplicates that would have been made had I not. Thanks a lot
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April 04, 2007
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Andrey said:

	Thank you so much. Your advice has finally helped to solve this annoying problem
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May 02, 2007
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Nono said:

	I cant add anything to library..I've tried all ways to do that..and checked microsoft tech support site but as usual it didnt help..any ideas??
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May 29, 2007
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JaSON said:

	Stopped playing videos, numerous problems that are not true
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June 01, 2007
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anomial said:

	How can you tell WMP to look in one specific folder? It tries to save to the Library any random media file I view.
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June 13, 2007
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Maria in Atlanta said:

	A retired programmer, I knew I needed to "rebuild index" so googled those terms and found your solution. Thanks!
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September 23, 2007
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Shai said:

	Thank you so much! Worked like a charm.
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October 17, 2007
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Cyber said:

	I like WMP and when my library stopped working I was going crazy. For three months i tried to get it fixed but no luck. So i had to download iTunes wich is not bad at all, but any way i like wmp more.. and after following your instructions now it works like the first day.. Thank you
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October 21, 2007
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pieplough said:

	I cant add or remove anything from library, followed this tutorial removed my list but now when i try to add my music folder it just dosent search or do anything???? ideas please cos i think i may start to cry soon
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November 12, 2007
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Arron said:

	I get this error when trying to delete search results: "Cannot delete file: Cannot read from the source file or disk." Any suggestions or solutions?
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November 24, 2007
Votes: +3

Bernie said:

	Been looking high and low for the fix for my music folder/library. This seems to have cleaned things up. Thank You Very Much!!!
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December 05, 2007
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SCHRISMER said:

	Does anyone know how to get an export of the library of CD's so that I can save the list into excel from WMP?
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December 10, 2007
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J-ROM said:

	Good quick fix. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a lot!!
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December 14, 2007
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andy lindsay said:

	Like another person took a little while to update but saved bags of time doing it the hard way.Many many thanks
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December 15, 2007
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Dystopian said:

	WMP seemed to compile a new library list every time my computer is turned off since I moved all my music to an external hard drive. The article seems to have done the trick (I hope). Thanks
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December 27, 2007
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FFFRRREEEAAAKKKIIINN AAAAAAA MAN said:

WHY IS IT SO EASY TO FIX AND SO COMPLICATED IN THE PLAYER. Thanks!!! My problem was due to the fact that the player was recognizing my music and my itunes folder that had all the same files. Dont know if I even need both but itunes can be abitch so I try not to mess with that folder. I moved it to MY Documents instead of My Music after I followed your instructions. It worked but hopefully itunes will find the itunes folder next time used???

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January 26, 2008
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linda said:

	Yours is a great site I just found, but my Dell Laptop's entire Media buttons don't work so I'm looking for the Run Command to re-connect it (Command Shell says it's disconnected). Anyone know the code?? thanks
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August 10, 2008 | url
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Greg said:

	Hi Guys I think that your advice on how to fix the windows media library is great but I cant get started because I have Windows Vista and the instuctions are different,can you advise for Vista users plese..to start the "search"..Greg
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