Windows 11 Windows Media Player Update

You’re absolutely right—one of the big changes in newer versions of Windows (including the latest Windows 11 update) is that classic Windows Media Player’s device sync feature has essentially been deprecated. This means you can’t natively sync playlists (especially very long ones) to external devices directly from the new Media Player.
Here are some alternative ways to transfer or replicate your playlists:

1. Export Your Playlists as M3U Files​

• In classic Windows Media Player, right-click your playlist and choose “Save list as…”
• Save as an M3U file. This is a universal format that many apps (as well as phones) understand.

2. Manual File Copy​

• Open the M3U file in Notepad; it’s a simple text list of file paths.
• You can use this to batch-copy files in File Explorer (or use command-line tools like Robocopy or PowerShell).
• Dragging and dropping will work, but for huge playlists, it’s cumbersome.

3. Use a Third-Party Sync Tool​

• Consider tools like MusicBee, MediaMonkey, or FreeSync utilities:
  • Many of these can import WMP playlists and provide syncing/playlist-to-device functions, including support for specific phones or generic USB storage.
  • They tend to handle very large playlists and can even transcode if needed.

4. Cloud or Streaming Alternatives​

• Upload songs to services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or a streaming service that supports imported playlists (Spotify, YouTube Music—but this often requires re-creating the playlist manually unless you find a converter).

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Summary​

• The native sync feature from WMP is gone in Windows 11.
• You can still export playlists, batch-transfer files, or use a dedicated music manager for syncing.
• For “plug and play” sync, MediaMonkey or MusicBee are great choices for advanced music library management.

If you have a preference (third-party app vs. manual), let me know! I can walk you through exporting playlists or setting up one of those tools step-by-step.