Microsoft's new Windows 11 Media Player consumes 3.5 times more RAM than its predecessor while requiring paid licenses for popular video codecs like HEVC and AV1.
The redesigned Media Player marks a significant shift in resource consumption and monetization strategy. Users report the application demands substantially higher memory allocation during basic playback operations compared to legacy versions.
More contentiously, Microsoft has implemented licensing requirements for codec support. While standard codecs remain available, popular formats including HEVC (H.265) and AV1 now require separate purchases through the Microsoft Store. This creates friction for users seeking to play files encoded in these increasingly common formats.
The move aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy of monetizing media features, though it represents a departure from Windows' historical approach to bundled codec support. Users accustomed to comprehensive codec libraries in third-party players may find the restrictions limiting.
The community response on Hacker News reflected mixed sentiment, with 69 comments debating whether the performance overhead justifies the redesign and whether codec paywalls represent reasonable monetization or anti-consumer practices.
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