Error when trying to play audio files: Windows Media Player cannot access the file. The file might be in use, you might not have access to the computer where the file is stored

Anonymous
2010-04-19T17:15:17+00:00

Windows Media Player cannot access the file. The file might be in use, you might not have access to the computer where the file is stored, or your proxy settings might not be correct.

Hope someone can help on Win 7 64 bit, music is sored on an external usb2 Hard drive.... I've had no issues until today when the message in the title appeared next to each track, together with a little red X.

I've already deleted the library database as suggested in some of the forums, also disabled Media as a Win 7 feature rebooted and then re-activated it.  I've also unplugged the external and rebooted that as well, I'm also getting the same error with a cd in the cd drive as well.

Can anyone help?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video

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Anonymous
2010-04-20T16:44:53+00:00

Hi,

You may get this error for any of the following reasons:

The file is currently in use. Close the file, and then try again.

You do not have permission to access the location where the file is stored.

Follow these steps to grant full permissions to the folder where the files are stored:

  1. Right click on the folder on the external drive and click on properties.
  2. On the property window, click Security tab.

3. Now click on Edit and then click Add.

4. Now type everyone in the box and click OK.

5. Then check Full control check box.

6. Click on Apply and then click OK.

You may also try the below mentioned steps:

  1. Click on Start.
  2. Go to Control Panel.
  3. Select "SOUND".
  4. Double click on speakers.
  5. Click on advanced tab and then uncheck enable audio enhancements.

Regards,

Afzal-Microsoft Support.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-14T14:16:26+00:00

    Here is the page.

    http://radio.powwows.com/

    I click on the Broadband icon and normally a WMP plugin will open in the bottom of the screen and start playing. But it does not play on any site that has a WMP9 plugin. But any other version of WMP will play just fine. I have tried to disable Kaspersky and that did not work.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-03-11T20:55:22+00:00

    Swervable, what's the URL of the stream that you are trying to play? If you temporarily disable Kaspersky, does that help?

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-03-11T20:54:14+00:00

    Dango, please go to WMP's Options - Rip Music. What is the rip music location that is set there? If you change it to another location, does that help?

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-03-10T16:10:56+00:00

    I get this same issue when I try to stream audio from a website. The websites are using a WMP9 codec. Only those sites are the ones I have issues with.

    I am unable to stream audio in IE, Firefox and chrome.

    Oh and I am able to do this at home. The only difference is at work I have kaspersky.

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