Windows XP - Empty the Windows Media Player cache

The Windows XP Media Player (version 8.0) or the current 9.0 version (codenamed Corona) use a cache for the data of a video clip, such as length, file format, size, resolution, etc. This data is stored in the cache to make the next access faster. This data is stored in this memory (cache) to make the next access faster. The disadvantage of this technology becomes clear in the following scenario: Imagine you open a video file that has just been downloaded via a file sharing platform or download manager to check whether you are satisfied with the content and continue the download or because you are perhaps a little impatient. The video file is now approx. 50% (total length 2 hours 10 minutes) and the WMP cache is now loaded with the information of a video clip of the size 1 hour and 5 minutes. This means that the next time the finished movie is played, the search bar stops halfway through the movie, making it impossible to navigate the rest. In some cases it is possible that the WMP does not load the file or crashes directly. Of course, you can rename the file, which will cause WMP to treat it as a new movie, or you can clear the WMP cache, which is the cleaner method:

1. Click on Start/Search and type in the search term wmplibrary and search for it on your Windows drive.

2. Delete the results (wmplibrary_v_0_12.db), which is located in the folder X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index. For many video enthusiasts, this file is several dozen megabytes in size, which is why you need to clear out the hard disk a little more.

After restarting the affected video file, it should be able to be played again in full length without any problems.

NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.