Microsoft Updates Windows 11 Media Player, But Performance Issues Remain

Microsoft has released a new round of Windows 11 Insider Preview updates, including Beta Build 26220.8680, Experimental Build 26300.8687, and new Release Preview builds.

The June 12 rollout also brings updates to several Windows apps, including the modern Media Player, which now moves to version 11.2605.14.0, as Windows Latest writes. Microsoft also recently updated Calculator, Paint, Photos and other Windows apps with new features.

The latest Media Player update includes bug fixes and improvements, but performance remains a concern for many users.

Performance Still Falls Behind Alternatives

Testing shows that Media Player can still take several seconds to launch and begin playing video files. By comparison, VLC Media Player and the legacy Windows Media Player open the same files almost instantly.

Memory usage is another area where the newer app struggles. While sitting idle, the modern Media Player consumed around 377 MB of RAM. The legacy Windows Media Player used roughly 103 MB under similar conditions.

The performance gap reflects a broader trend across Microsoft’s modern app ecosystem. Several newer applications have faced criticism for feeling heavier and slower than their legacy counterparts. Similar complaints have been raised about the new Outlook experience, particularly when opening emails from notifications.

Microsoft has been gradually shifting Windows apps toward native WinUI development, and Media Player could benefit from future platform improvements. A more efficient WinUI implementation may help reduce startup times and memory consumption.

Codec Support Remains Limited

Media Player also continues to lag behind VLC in codec support. One of the biggest limitations involves HEVC (H.265) video playback, a format commonly used by modern smartphones, including many iPhone and Android devices.

Windows users often need to purchase the HEVC Video Extensions package from the Microsoft Store to play certain files natively. VLC avoids this issue by including support for a wide range of codecs out of the box.

As video formats continue to evolve, Microsoft may face increasing pressure to provide broader codec support without requiring additional purchases. Doing so could improve the out-of-box experience for Windows users who regularly work with modern video files.

The June 12 Insider updates deliver useful fixes and improvements across Windows 11 and its app ecosystem. However, Media Player still has work to do before it can match the speed, efficiency, and compatibility offered by established alternatives such as VLC.