Information technology is indeed possible to add together external subtitles to a movie that yous're watching using Windows Media Thespian. If you lot have wrung your hair over it for a long time, hither's the solution that solves the problem.

The classic Windows Media Role player 12 is Microsoft's default sound and video player. But information technology hasn't been updated since 2009. Maybe, you lot enjoy the simplicity of using the media role player that came with your PC.

So far y'all are fine with information technology... except when information technology comes to subtitles. Here we're going to go through the process of calculation subtitles to Windows Media Player in two main steps.

  1. Download your movie and subtitle file.
  2. Install a third political party codec chosen Advanced Codecs.

But first, let'southward meet if y'all have Windows Media Player installed on your Windows x PC.

Windows Media Player 12 Interface

Don't worry if yous tin't meet Windows Media Histrion 12 in your Programs list. Windows Media Player used to be the default media player on Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.one. All the same, things inverse with Windows 10 where it became an optional characteristic.

Now, you demand to download and install Windows Media Role player if it'due south non at that place in your version of Windows 10. Microsoft Support has a list of the Windows Media Thespian versions which volition help you lot observe the correct version of the Actor for your organization.

Gear up Your Flick File and Subtitle File

Many torrent downloads include subtitles. But let'southward assume you accept downloaded or ripped a video file that doesn't take subtitles.

At that place are many websites that offer subtitles for download in multiple languages. Pick any from the 3 listed beneath. At that place are many more than you can find with a Google Search.

I adopt Subscene.com because information technology lists all the popular subtitles in an uncluttered interface that makes search a breeze.

Find and download the verbal matching subtitle file that has been synced with that particular video file. Choose a subtitle that has the same up-loader name as the movie file. Or friction match the proper name to the ripped blazon.

Download the files and extract them if they come in a Zippo format.

For a demo, I accept an episode of Doom Patrol and some subtitles that I've put in one common folder called "Subtitled Doom Patrol TV Series". Notice that both don't have matching names yet.

Windows Media Player Subtitles

Rename Both Files to Match Each Other

Now, just put both of the files in the same folder and make certain they have the aforementioned name (aside from the extension). In this case, the video is "Doom Patrol" and the subtitle file is "Doom Patrol.srt".

Match name of video to subtitle file

Correct-click on the video and choose "Play with Windows Media Actor". Hopefully, your video now plays with subtitles. But if it still isn't working, you have a few more options.

Play-With-Windows-Media-Play

Next up, endeavor setting upward Windows Media Player to brandish captions. From the default home screen, you can correct-click on the bar near the tiptop and select Play > Lyrics, captions, and subtitles > On if bachelor.

Enable subtitles in WMP

If the video is already playing, correct-click anywhere on the player and select Lyrics, captions, and subtitles > On if available.

Switch on subtitles in WMP when video is playing

How to Download a Tertiary Political party Codec

One of the big failings of Windows Media Player is that it doesn't recognize downloaded subtitle files that utilise the SRT and SUB extensions. In that example, yous have to seek the help of 3rd-party codecs.

The codec of choice used to exist DirectVobSub. But in all my attempts, I couldn't arrive play the subtitles with the latest version of the app.

The Solution:

An alternative codec for Windows Media Actor 12 that worked for me is called Avant-garde Codec (version 11.5.1) by a developer named Shark007. It is an audio and video codec package for Windows 7, 8, and 10. The release contains a total suite of decoders for both 32 bit and 64 bit systems.

Also included in the package is the DirectVobSub/VSFilter (the addition for Microsoft Windows that is able to read external subtitle files) with a GUI controller for the installed codecs.

The codec is bachelor from MajorGeeks and a few alternative download mirrors. MajorGeeks is a trusted website and has been in the download business since 2002. Yes, the site'southward pattern nonetheless harks back to the good old days!

Run the ADVANCED Codec executable. The installer volition download the codecs to your computer before finalizing the install.

Advanced Codec Installer

Avant-garde Codec also installs a Settings application in your Program menu or desktop. This gives you a GUI to tweak a few settings in case your subtitles are not displayed.

Windows Media Actor 12 can be quite moody with a few specific file types. I have see problems with MP4 video formats.

You can try a few tweaks suggested by Shark007.

  • For an AVI file, choose to disable the DMO codecs on the Bandy Tab of the ADVANCED Codec Settings awarding.
  • If it is an MP4 file, choose to disable the Microsoft Audio decoder on the Swap TAB. You may also need to disable the Microsoft Video decoder.
Advanced Codec Settings Application

If y'all still tin't see whatever subtitles, still, in that location is ane terminal thing you tin effort. Rename the subtitle file and change the ".srt" to a ".sub". For me, the subtitles played regardless of whether it was chosen SRT or SUB, but some users report one working more than often than the other.

The archetype Windows Media Thespian has seen improve days. While you can still do basic tasks, like rotate videos in Windows Media Player, it's not sufficient for many in the modern era.

Thus, there's no need to go to such lengths to play your favorite subtitled videos as at that place are enough alternatives for the outmoded Windows Media Player. The popular VideoLAN (VLC) thespian is the almost favored as information technology can play everything right out of the box. It is complimentary, there'due south an active open source customs backside it, and it is cross-platform too.

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