Windows Media Player 11

You may not have ever used it, but you probably already have Windows Media Player tucked away on your computer, because it comes pre-installed with Windows. The interface isn’t quite as funky as Apple’s iTunes but its thumbnail approach to album artwork is clear and easy to navigate. You can customise things how you want them and change it on the fly. Finding albums and tracks, even when you’ve got a lot of them, is straightforward.

It’s also simple to use with all the other Windows-compatible things you may have around the place, from Wi-Fi radios and MP3 players, to other PCs and games consoles. This means you can synch music players and easily stream your music around your house – one of Media Player’s significant advantages.

If you want a simple life and haven’t already tied yourself into Apple products, Windows Media Player is all you need. It may not have the pioneering interface of iTunes but it is solid, dependable, compatible and attractive – exactly what you want from a music organiser.

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