Windows

How to Remove Library Locations in Windows Media Player

Written by

Richard

Jan 17, 2024 Updated Apr 17, 2026 3 min read

This guide explains how to remove folder locations from the Windows Media Player app on Windows 11.

The Windows Media Player app is a built-in app that plays videos, music, and images. It helps you keep your media files organized in one place. It supports many file types and has standard buttons like play, pause, and stop.

Windows automatically saves video files in the Videos folder of your home directory and music files in the music folder of your home directory.

You can add your own folders containing music and video files so the app can find them. If your files are missing, you can refresh and re-index your libraries to fix the issue.

Why remove a library location?

You might want to clean up your app if you added a folder by mistake. You might also want to remove a folder if you no longer want those specific files to show up in your player.

What happens when you are done?

Once you remove a folder, the app will stop scanning that location. The files will disappear from your library view, but your actual files will remain safe in their original folders on your computer.

Remove a library location in Media Player

Follow these steps to remove a folder from your library:

Open open the Windows Media Player app.
Click the Settings button located on the left sidebar.

Select the Music or Video library tile.
Click the drop-down arrow to see the list of folders.
Click the X button next to the folder you want to remove.

Exit the Settings page when you are finished.

Summary

Windows Media Player is a great tool for organizing your media. By adding and removing library locations, you keep your collection tidy and easy to browse. You can manage these folders at any time by visiting the Settings menu within the app.

How do I remove a library location from Windows Media Player?

Open Windows Media Player and click the Settings button on the left sidebar. Select either the Music or Video library tile and expand it using the drop-down caret. Click the X button next to the library location you want to remove, then exit the Settings page.

Why would I want to remove a library location in Windows Media Player?

You might want to remove a library location if you no longer want to play media files from that folder, accidentally added a folder you didn't intend to include, or want to reduce clutter in your media library. Removing unused locations helps keep your media collection organized.

Can I remove the default Music and Videos folders from Windows Media Player?

Yes, you can remove any library location, including custom folders you've added. Simply navigate to Settings, expand the Music or Video library tile, and click the X button next to the location you wish to remove.

What happens to my files when I remove a library location in Windows Media Player?

Removing a library location from Windows Media Player only removes it from the app's library index—it does not delete the actual files from your computer. The files will remain in their original folders on your hard drive.

How do I refresh my Windows Media Player library after removing a location?

Windows Media Player will automatically update your library after removing a location. If you're still seeing media from the removed folder, you can manually refresh and re-index your libraries through the Settings page to ensure all changes are applied.

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