Install Windows Media Player Plugin for Firefox - Guide
Troubleshooting Video Playback in Firefox
You've recently acquired a training video and attempted to play it on your computer. However, clicking the menu within the autoplay dialog unexpectedly launches Firefox, your default web browser.
You are then confronted with a blank screen, leaving you unsure of the next steps.
Identifying the Root Cause
The most probable cause of this issue is the absence of the Windows Media Player plugin within your Firefox browser.
Consequently, a simple installation of this plugin is typically all that is required to resolve the problem.
This situation commonly arises when attempting to view video files in Firefox that are formatted using Windows Media technology, such as those with the .wmv extension.
Installing the Necessary Plugin
Installation
Begin by downloading and executing the plugin installer provided via the link below. It is generally advisable to close Firefox before initiating the installation process.
Confirming Successful Installation
Following the swift installation wizard, you may wish to verify that the plugin has been successfully installed.
While the most straightforward method is to attempt to open a Windows Media video file, you can also utilize the following command in the address bar to view a list of loaded plugins:
about:plugins
The Windows Media Player plugin should appear within this list, along with the file types that Firefox will now utilize it to handle.
With the plugin installed, you should now be able to view Windows Media format video files directly within Firefox.
Additional Technical Information
Technical Notes
Should you encounter any difficulties during the installation process, the following points may assist in troubleshooting:
- The WMP plugin relies on Internet Explorer's proxy settings, rather than those configured within Firefox. This is due to the plugin functioning as a wrapper around Windows Media Player, which inherently uses IE for data retrieval.
- By default, the plugin files are installed into the "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugins" directory, with the filename "np-mswmp.dll".
- If the uninstaller fails to remove this file, it can be manually deleted.
Furthermore, it is theoretically possible to copy the .dll file directly into the plugins directory of any Firefox installation, enabling functionality without running the installer.
Download Windows Media Player Firefox Plugin from port25.technet.com [source]