TL;DR
Windows Media Player's online metadata service stopped responding before Christmas, leaving many CDs unidentified in Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft did not provide a public explanation, and users are being pushed toward manual entry or third-party alternatives.
What happened
Sometime before Christmas the online metadata service used by Windows Media Player ceased returning album details and artwork. Tests conducted by the reporting outlet on Windows machines with optical drives found a range of compact discs – including previously ripped albums and recent reissues – no longer identified automatically; the player reports "album not found." The default endpoint mentioned in the reporting is musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, which currently does not appear to serve metadata. Microsoft was contacted about whether the service had been retired or could be restored but provided no substantive response. A Reddit post purporting to be a Microsoft support chat indicated the servers had been shut down and suggested seeking third-party alternatives. Users can still enter metadata manually. The story notes this change comes as some consumers renew interest in physical media, even as Microsoft positions Windows Media Player as a "Legacy" app in Windows 11.
Why it matters
- Users who rely on auto-populated track listings and cover art in Windows Media Player will need to add metadata manually or find alternatives.
- Archival collections and personal music libraries that depend on automated identification could see increased workload or inconsistencies.
- The change highlights tensions between legacy features and product teams' assessments of active user bases for maintenance.
- Consumers returning to physical media may face degraded convenience on affected Windows systems.
Key facts
- The metadata service stopped responding sometime before Christmas, according to the report.
- Affected systems include Windows 10 and Windows 11 instances running Windows Media Player.
- The default service endpoint cited is musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com, which reportedly is not returning metadata.
- The outlet tested multiple CDs and confirmed the player failed to recognize titles and artwork.
- Microsoft did not provide a clarifying statement after being asked about the service's status.
- A Reddit post claiming to be a Microsoft support chat said the servers were shut down and recommended third-party solutions.
- Users can still manually enter album and track information into Windows Media Player.
- Windows Media Player continues to exist in Windows 11 as a "Legacy" application while Microsoft promotes a modern Media Player app.
What to watch next
- Whether Microsoft issues an official statement or restores the metadata service — not confirmed in the source.
- Emergence or recommendations of third-party metadata services and tools that replace the retired endpoint — not confirmed in the source.
- Adoption of manual metadata entry or other player software by users affected by the change — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Metadata service: An online service that supplies descriptive information about media files, such as track titles, artist names, and album artwork.
- Windows Media Player: A media playback application historically bundled with Microsoft Windows that supports audio and video playback, ripping, and burning.
- musicmatch-ssl.xboxlive.com: The default network endpoint cited in the report that Windows Media Player used to fetch CD metadata.
- Ripping: The process of copying audio tracks from a physical disc to digital files on a computer or storage device.
Reader FAQ
Why do my CDs no longer show track listings in Windows Media Player?
The online metadata service Windows Media Player relied on stopped returning album data, so discs are not automatically identified.
Did Microsoft announce the shutdown?
Not confirmed in the source.
Can I still play CDs on affected Windows machines?
Physical playback capability is not reported as removed; however, automatic metadata lookup is failing and users may need to enter details manually.
Are other media players affected?
The report notes Apple iTunes recognized every CD tested, indicating some other players still retrieve metadata successfully.
OSES 1 Microsoft Windows Media Player stops serving up CD album info No naming that tune and no album covers Richard Speed Fri 9 Jan 2026 // 15:12 UTC Microsoft is celebrating the resurgence…
Sources
- Microsoft Windows Media Player stops serving up CD album info
- WMP find album info no longer working in Windows 11
- CD metadata not retrievable with WMP
- How can I get media player to get album info again when …
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