If your Windows Media Player (WMP) no longer allows you to view, add, or delete items in the WMP library, there’s a chance that its database has been corrupted. To fix this problem, rebuild the WMP database. This will solve the problem if your media library is corrupted. Instructions apply to Windows 10, 8, and 7.

What to Know

  • To rebuild: Open Run and enter %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player.Then, select OK, and delete all files except folders.Alternatively, open Run dialog, then, in the Open box, enter %localappdata%\Microsoft, select OK, delete Media Player folder.

How to Rebuild the Windows Media Player Database

The steps below will help you rebuild your WMP database for your login only. If several people use your computer, perform the following for each person or follow the instructions in the next section.

  • Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type or copy and paste this path into the text box: ​
  • %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player
  • Press ​Enter or select OK.
  • Delete the files in this folder, excluding folders.
  • To rebuild the database, restart Windows Media Player. The relevant database files will be created again.

Alternative Way to Rebuild a WMP Database

If several family members have issues with WMP, follow the steps below to rebuild the Windows Media Player database for all profiles.

Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.

Type or copy and paste this path into the text box: ​

%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player

Press ​Enter or select OK.

Delete the files in this folder, excluding folders.

To rebuild the database, restart Windows Media Player. The relevant database files will be created again.

  • Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type or copy and paste this path into the text box: ​
  • %localappdata%\Microsoft
  • Press ​Enter or select OK.
  • Delete the Media Player folder.
  • To rebuild the database, restart Windows Media Player. The relevant database files will be created again.

%localappdata%\Microsoft

Delete the Media Player folder.

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