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Error Message "Unable to Find Playable File" in Windows Media Player for Windows XP

Retired KB ArticleThis article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
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Article ID:322642
Last Review:February 1, 2007
Revision:3.2
This article was previously published under Q322642
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986/EN-US/) Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play audio files in the My Music folder by clicking the Play All option, you may receive the following error message:
Unable to find playable file

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CAUSE

The installation or removal routines that are included with some programs improperly remove the registry key that is used for playing some audio files.

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WORKAROUND

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this issue, you must add a RG_SZ string for each music file type (extension) that is not working. You must find the following registry key and then add the appropriate audio file name extension:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\music type extension
Music type extensions:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mp3
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wma
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wav
Add a string value of PerceivedType="audio" for that music type extension.

To do this, follow these steps:
1.Click Start, and then click Run.
2.Type regedit, and then click OK.
3.Locate and then click the value that contains the extension of the file type that is not working under the following registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ for example: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wma
4.With the extension selected, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click String Value.
5.Type PerceivedType as the value name, and then press ENTER.
6.Double-click the PerceivedType string value, type audio as the value data, and then click OK.
7.Repeat these steps for each file type (extension) that is not working.
8.Quit Registry Editor.
9.Restart the computer.

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APPLIES TO
•Microsoft Windows Media Player 8.01

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Keywords: 
kberrmsg kbprb KB322642

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