If you’re a Windows user, you’d know that WMP is the most convenient way to access images, videos, and audio files. You can also use WMP to organize local files, burn CDs, and sync to mobile devices. Windows Media Player on Windows 10 has a pre-built Cast function to stream content to another Bluetooth or Wireless device. However, if you don’t have a smart TV, you will need to use a Google Chrome and a Chromecast device to cast your PC screen onto your TV. Most users rely on Google Chromecast devices to convert their standard TV into a Smart TV to access streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube. Not many people know that it works great for casting videos, movies, audio, and photos directly from your PC hard drive to your TV. In this article, learn how to set up Google Chromecast to cast the contents of WMP from your desktop or laptop to your TV. Note: If you have a Windows laptop and want to cast content to your TV, but don’t want to use Windows Media Player – then you can try the VLC media player which is a free alternative. We have a guide on how to cast VLC to your Chromecast.
How to cast Windows Media Player to TV?
For those who have a Smart TV, you’re in luck. You can automatically connect Windows Media Player to your display device using the Cast function as shown in this video:
1 How to cast Windows Media Player to TV?2 Requirements for Windows Media Player Classic to Chromecast3 Step-by-Step Guide: How To Chromecast Windows Media Player3.1 Step 1: Install Windows Media Player3.2 Step 2: Set Up Chromecast on your TV3.3 Step 3: Chromecast from Windows Media Player via Google Chrome Browser3.4 Problems?4 Conclusion
Thankfully, it’s still possible to screencast WMP to your standard TV with a Chromecast device. By clicking on the Cast button on Google Chrome, you can cast your entire desktop and access local files on your TV through Windows Media Player Classic on your desktop or laptop.
Requirements for Windows Media Player Classic to Chromecast
To successfully Chromecast local media files from your PC to your TV, you will need the following devices and system specifications:
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Chromecast Windows Media Player
In this section, you will find the easiest way to Chromecast local media files from your PC to your TV.
Step 1: Install Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player Classic is a free Microsoft tool that’s pre-installed into all Windows OS PCs. However, if you don’t find the software on your desktop or laptop, you may have uninstalled it in the past. Note: If you already have WMP on your computer (host device), you can skip this step.
Step 2: Set Up Chromecast on your TV
Here’s how to connect your Chromecast device to your TV:
Step 3: Chromecast from Windows Media Player via Google Chrome Browser
Here’s how to cast Windows Media Player using Chromecast:
Once Google Chrome detects your Chromecast device, click on the Source dropdown menu and click Cast desktop.
Problems?
The most common issue is that the casting function is not working on the chrome browser. You will get the “Chromecast Only Available For Specific Video Sites” error if that is the case. The linked guide has a few solutions to fix the error.
Conclusion
Windows Media Player is the easiest way to cast local media files from your PC to a display device. However, the built-in Windows Media Player Chromecast plugin is only available on Windows 10 for Smart TVs. Fortunately, users without a Smart TV can still cast movies, videos, images, and music from MPC using a Chromecast device and Google Chrome. By navigating to Menu > Cast, then selecting Cast Desktop on Google Chrome, you can Chromecast any local media files on your TV from your Windows PC.
