Introduction to the Online Stores Welcome Kit

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[The feature associated with this page, Windows Media Player SDK, is a legacy feature. It has been superseded by MediaPlayer. MediaPlayer has been optimized for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft strongly recommends that new code use MediaPlayer instead of Windows Media Player SDK, when possible. Microsoft suggests that existing code that uses the legacy APIs be rewritten to use the new APIs if possible.]

The Online Stores Welcome Kit describes the process of bringing an online digital media store on board for Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player supports two kinds of online stores: type 1 and type 2. For information about the difference between type 1 and type 2 stores, see Windows Media Player Online Stores.

The on-boarding process described in the following sections applies to both type 1 and type 2 stores, except for a few differences, which are noted.

Eligibility

To be eligible to have an online music store integrated with Windows Media Player, your company must meet the on-boarding requirements and maintenance requirements given in the online stores agreement. The types of requirements in the agreement include, but are not limited to, the following.

  • Your company must have the rights to distribute online content via Windows Media Player.
  • Your company must agree to make a certain number of tracks available to users of Windows Media Player.
  • Your company must provide a certain level of uninterrupted service.

Some specific requirements from the agreement are highlighted in Requirements for Online Music Stores.

Contacting Microsoft

If you have questions regarding online stores and the on-boarding process, contact the Windows Media Player Services Virtual Team at mpsvctm@microsoft.com.

The following list describes documents, agreements, and licenses that pertain to bringing an online store on-board in Windows Media Player:

Windows Media Player SDK

The Windows Media Player SDK provides overview and reference material for the programming interfaces to Windows Media Player and the Windows Media Player ActiveX control.

Creating a Windows Media Player 10 Subscription Online Store

This document contains technical guidance on using a variety of Windows Media SDKs to create a service that offers licensed digital media content. The document was written for Windows Media Player 10 but much of it still applies to later versions of Windows Media Player. Go to the MSDN home page and search for "Creating a Windows Media Player 10 Subscription Online Store".

Online Media Service Listing Agreement for Windows Media Player

Obtain this document from the Windows Media Player Services Virtual Team at mpsvctm@microsoft.com.

Windows Media Rights Manager License (if using DRM)

Windows Media Format SDK License

You can request a Windows Media Format SDK License by using the same Microsoft License Request form that was mentioned previously.

Windows Media Player Redistribution Agreement

This agreement permits you to redistribute Windows Media Player through CD, website, or personal computer, and to set the store as the initial active service. You can request a Player Redistribution Agreement by using the Microsoft License Request form.

Online Stores Welcome Kit