How to Change the Playback Speed in Windows Media Player

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by Mark Harris
Brings music expertise, including a background as a music producer and composer, to digital music articles.
Updated September 13, 2018

Changing the Windows Media Player playback speed can slow down or speed up music and other sounds.

You might want to change the Windows Media Player playback speed for a number of reasons, such as if you're planning on learning how to play a musical instrument. Adjusting the playback speed without affecting pitch might be an effective educational aid.

Windows Media Player can change the playback speed visually, too, which can be useful for following educational videos, for example, when slow motion can help you better understand a concept.

The process to change the Windows Media Player playback speed is easy and typically takes only a few minutes.

Change the Windows Media Player Playback Speed

  1. Right-click the main area of the screen and choose Enhancements > Play speed settings. If you don't see this option, see the tip below.

  2. In the Play speed settings screen that should now be open, select Slow, Normal, or Fast to adjust the speed at which the audio/video should be played. A value of 1 is for normal playback speed while a lower or higher figure either slows down or speeds up the playback, respectively.

If during Step 1, you don't see that option in the right-click menu, switch the View mode out of Library or Skin by going to View > Now Playing. If the WMP menu bar isn't showing, hit the Ctrl+M keyboard shortcut to enable it. You can even use Ctrl+3 to immediately switch the view to Now Playing without using the menu bar.