Microsoft recently released Windows 11 build 22579 to Windows Insiders in the Dev channel. The new version focuses on improving existing features such as folders and touch navigation on the start menu. In addition, it brings a new version of the media player, with a somewhat unexpected change being better support for audio CDs.
CDs are no longer everyone’s favorite way to play music. However, some old-school customers still choose to keep buying these physical media. A fun fact is that in 2021, CD sales in the U.S. will increase from 31.6 million to 46.6 million for the first time in two decades. If you’re one of those people who enjoys disc music, you’ll be happy to know that you can now use the new Media Player app in Windows 11 to play audio CDs more easily.
Microsoft added Audio CD support to the new Windows 11 Media Player app in version 11.2202.42.0. The program will display an “Audio CD” entry in its menu, allowing you to play music inserted in the optical drive. Other changes in the latest version are an improved theme switching and drag-and-drop experience for media content.
It’s worth noting that Media Player isn’t the only audio CD app in Windows 11. Users can of course also take advantage of older versions of Windows Media Player, which is still available in the latest Windows 11 version. Currently, audio CD support in the media player app is only available for Windows Insiders, but it should be hitting the stable channel soon.