windows 7windows media player
Let's suppose I've a directory with some media files. I add them to the Windows Media Player playlist and then turn the Shuffle option to ON. The music starts playing and I leave the window minimized.
A few minutes later, when a file finishes playing, I want to see which file it was that had been playing. Is there a recent files history in WMP? I use Windows 7 Ultimate and WMP version 12.0.7601.1754.
In Windows 7 by default this option is available in the right click menu only for optimized folder for music:
You have to change the Folder Option - set it to Music (right click on the folder and select Properties and then Customize tab)
Now, when you right click on that folder you will see the option to add it to Windows Media Player.
I did a little digging, and there is an auto-generated play list of most recent items located in the following directory:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Media Player\lastplayed.wpl
Using the command prompt and simply specifying this file fired up Windows Media Player and started up the playlist with a few songs that I had dragged to a playlist, but did not save.
You should be able to add a simple start menu/registry command that launches Windows Media Player targetting the file above.
I got this to work in Windows 7 with Windows Media Player 12, but there shouldn't be any issues updating the paths for XP and Windows Media Player 11 should have the same folder structure.
Best Answer
There's no built-in recent file history in WMP, but you can easily create one yourself by using WMP's Auto Playlist functionality.
In WMP's library, click the arrow next to
Create playlistand selectCreate auto playlist. Enter a name for the playlist, and underMusic in my library, add the conditionDate Last Played. Then further customize the condition so that it readsDate Last Played Is More Recent Than Yesterday. ClickOKto create the auto playlist.