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How to Add Video Folders in Windows Media Player

Richard
Written by
Richard
Jan 15, 2024 Updated Aug 13, 2026 2 min read
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Adding video folders in Windows Media Player lets you gather all your movies and clips into one spot on Windows 11. Windows Media Player is the built-in app on your PC that plays videos, music, and pictures.

The app automatically checks your main Videos folder for new files, but you have to add extra folders or separate drives by hand. Pointing the app to these extra spots tells the program where to look so your files show up without making you hunt through different drives.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Windows Media Player and navigate to Video library on the left. Click the Add folder button and select your desired folder. Click Add this folder to Videos to add it to your library.

Add a folder to your Video library in the Windows Media Player app

Containing folders can be added directly to Windows Media Player to prevent constant searching for video files.

Opening the Windows Media Player app is the first requirement.

Click the ‘Open file(s)‘ button on the Home window and select the “Open folder” option from the dropdown list.

The Ctrl+Shift+O keyboard shortcuts work as an alternative method.

Open folder in the Windows Media Player app
Open folder in the Windows Media Player app

Click the folder containing the target video files once the File Explorer browser window opens.

Add folder to video library from Play queue

Media Player also accepts folders through the 'Play queue.' Select the 'Play queue' button on the left sidebar.

Click the Add file(s) button and select "Add folder to play queue" from the dropdown option.

Add folder to video library from Play queue
Windows Media Player showing the 'Add folder to play queue' dialog.

Choose the target directory from the File Explorer browser window to include it in Media Player.

Add folder to video library from Play queue
Windows Media Player folder selection dialog for adding music.

Add a folder to the Video library

Launch the Media Player app, then click the Video library button on the left sidebar.

Select Music library on the left pane
Select Music library on the left pane

Click the "Add folder" button.

Add folder to Video library in Media Player Windows 11
Add folder to Video library in Media Player Windows 11

Browse for the directory holding your video files. Click the 'Add this folder to Videos' button to confirm.

Add this folder to Videos in Media Player Windows 11
Add folder to Windows Media Player Videos library on Windows 11.

Add a folder to the Video library from the settings

The Settings page offers another path for adding folders to the video library. Click the Settings button on the left sidebar.

Select the Video library locations tile. Click the Add folder button to select your video directories.

Add folder in Media Player Windows 11
Add folder in Media Player Windows 11

Locate the target folder in the browser, then click the 'Add this folder to Videos' button.

Add folder to Windows Media Player Videos library on Windows 11.
Add folder to Windows Media Player Videos library on Windows 11.

Windows Media Player indexes the newly added videos and incorporates them into the playlist. Playback can begin immediately afterward.

That completes the process.

Conclusion:

  • Adding folders to the Video library in the Windows Media Player app facilitates quick access to your favorite video files without manual searches.
  • The app's functionality allows easy organization and management of your entire video collection in one convenient location.
  • Various methods, including the File Explorer, Play queue, and Settings page, allow you to add folders to the video library in Windows Media Player.
  • Through these steps, users can efficiently ensure all their video files are automatically indexed and added to the app's video library, enhancing the overall user experience.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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