If you are using Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 you probably already have an old version of Windows Media Player installed. Look in your start menu, in the accessories folder, in the entertainment folder. If you see a Windows Media Player icon, you have Windows Media Player installed. Unfortunately, the version of Windows Media Player that is included with most operating systems is far too old to be useful. To upgrade to the current version of Windows Media Player:

1. Visit Microsoft Windows Update using the Internet Explorer browser (if you cannot locate Internet Explorer on your Windows PC, your operating system is very old, or you work for Joel Klein. If either of these are the case, follow the instructions for installing a new Windows Media Player.)

2. Follow the prompts at the Windows Update site to upgrade your Windows Media Player. (The Window Media site changes often, but in general, the first step is to click "product updates").

3. Once the download is complete you will need to restart your computer to finish the download.

4. Test your Windows Media Player.

If you have determined that you do not have Windows Media Player installed on your computer:

1. Download the Windows Media Player installer from Microsoft. As of February 2001, the latest stable version of Windows Media Player was 7.

2. Remember where you saved the install file, and double click the installer icon.

3. Follow the installer's prompts to finish installing the software. The default options should work for most users.

4. Test your Windows Media Player.