How to Set 64-Bit Windows Media Player 12 (WMP12) As Default Player

Windows 7 still uses the 32 bit version of 'Windows Media Player' even though you run a x64 build of Windows 7?
Windows 7 64-bit includes both 32bit (x86) and 64bit (x64) versions of Windows Media Player 12, (WMP 12). However, to provide maximum compatibility with existing applications and codecs, 32-bit version of Windows Media Player has been made as the default media player.

What’s the advantage of using 64-bit (x64) Windows Media Player?
Using 64-bit software allows application to run natively using x64 architecture, and potentially run faster by working with larger data sets at any time. One practical consideration is for users who use Windows Media Center, which is an 64-bit app. By switching to WMP x64, users just need to install one instance of codecs (just x64 version) to playback various media files in WMC and WMP.

How to switch and set 64-bit Windows Media Player As Default Media Player?

1. Open command prompt as administrator. (Open Start Menu, type "cmd", then press ctrl+shift+enter)
2. Type "unregmp2.exe /SwapTo:64" (without the quotes and make sure to write capital letters in capital), this command is case sensitive!
3. Open the Windows 7 registry (Windows button + r, type "regedit" and hit enter)
4. Go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\wmplayer.exe\
5. Double click the "Path" value.
6. Change the value “%ProgramFiles(x86)” to “%ProgramFiles%”
7. Close the Windows 7 registry and you are done.

Enjoy!

Windows 7 Beta Build 7000 to Windows 7 RC Build 7100 -What you need to know

Source: http://tr.im/m0Fo

• Download the ISO as you did previously and burn the ISO to a DVD
  
• Copy the whole image to a storage location you wish to run the upgrade from (a bootable flash drive or a directory on any partition on the machine running the pre-release build)
  
• Browse to the sources directory
  
• Open the file cversion.ini in a text editor like Notepad
  
• Modify the MinClient build number to a value lower than the down-level build. For
• example, change 7100 to 7000
  
• Save the file in place with the same name
  
• Run setup like you would normally from this modified copy of the image and the version check will be bypassed

Warning: It is not recommended to upgrade from Beta 7000 to RC 7100.

If you manage to upgrade, can post a reply at http://tr.im/m0G6

Windows 7 Release Candidate is out!

Windows 7 RC is avaiable for download at http://technet.microsoft.com/. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010.