Windows 10 Version 1809 Breaks Windows Media Player

As if there weren’t already enough problems with this release, Windows 10 version 1809 breaks Windows Media Player too.

“After installing this update, users may not be able to use the Seek Bar in Windows Media Player when playing specific files,” a Microsoft support document notes. “Microsoft is working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.”

Whether that upcoming release refers to a coming Feature Update—the next one is due in the first half of 2019—or a monthly quality update is unclear.

What is clear is that Windows 10 version 1809—which is obtained by installing the October 2018 Update—is the buggiest and most unreliable Windows 10 Feature Update yet. And that’s saying something, given the history of Microsoft’s “Windows as a Service” debacle.

I tested this bug and sure enough the Seek Bar doesn’t work. This is true whether you’re using Windows Media Player in its normal window or in the Now Playing window.

Also, this Windows Media Player bug isn’t the only known issue with Windows 10 version 1809.

“After installing this update, some users cannot set Win32 program defaults for certain app and file type combinations,” the same support document explains. “Microsoft is working on a resolution and estimates a solution will be available in late November 2018.”

At least that one has a more specific time frame for the fix.