How to Listen to a Song URL in Windows Media Player 12

Stream a track to preview it before downloading or purchasing it.

By
Mark Harris
Mark Harris
Writer
  • University of Wolverhampton
Mark Harris is a former writer for Lifewire who wrote about the digital music scene and streaming music services in an easy to understand, no-nonsense manner.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on April 18, 2021

What to Know

  • In Windows Media Player 12, press Ctrl+1 to open the Library, or select Go to Library.
  • Next, select File > Open URL > copy song URL to Windows Clipboard > paste song URL in Open URL dialogue box > OK.

This article explains how to play a song URL in Windows Media Player 12.

How to Open a Song URL in Windows Media Player 12

To stream an audio file using WMP 12:

  1. If you're not already in Library view mode, press CTRL+1. Alternatively, select Go to Library.

    Selecting Go to Library in Windows Media Player 12.

  2. Select the File menu tab at the top of the screen and then select Open URL.

    Selecting Open URL in Windows Media Player 12.

    If you don't see the menu bar, press CTRL+M to enable it.

  3. Use your web browser to find a free MP3 download that you'd like to stream. You'll need to copy its URL to the Windows clipboard. Usually, the best way to do this is to right-click the download button and then choose to copy the link. 

  4. Go back to Windows Media Player 12 and right-click on the text box on the Open URL dialog box.

    The Open URL dialog box in Windows Media Player 12.

  5. Place your curser in the Open field and press Ctrl+V to paste the URL. Select OK.

    Playing a URL in Windows Media Player 12.

Your chosen song should now stream by means of WMP 12. To keep a list of songs that you'd like to stream in the future, create playlists so you don't have to keep copying links from your browser and pasting them into the Open URL dialogue box.

Was this page helpful?