How to Disable Windows Media Player Library Sharing

What Causes This?

Windows Media Player Library Sharing is controlled by the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. If this service is enabled, Windows can share your music, videos, pictures, and related media metadata with other devices on your local network, especially DLNA-compatible TVs, consoles, and media players.

This usually happens because sharing was turned on in Windows Media Player, enabled by default on an older setup, or left running after a system update or media feature change. In some cases, the service stays active even if you no longer use Windows Media Player.

Common Symptoms

• Other devices on your network can see your PC’s media library
• Windows Media Player keeps showing media sharing as enabled
• The Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service is running in Services
• You notice unnecessary background activity related to media streaming
• Privacy or network hardening scans flag media sharing as enabled

How to Fix It Manually

1. Turn off media streaming in Control Panel

   1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
   2. Go to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center.
   3. In the left pane, click Media streaming options.
   4. If media streaming is enabled, click Block All or Turn off media streaming.
   5. Click OK to save the change.

2. Disable sharing inside Windows Media Player

   1. Open Windows Media Player.
   2. Press Alt if the menu bar is hidden.
   3. Click Stream.
   4. Make sure Automatically allow devices to play my media is unchecked.
   5. Also review any streaming or sharing options and disable them.

3. Stop the Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service

   1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Find Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service.
   3. Double-click it.
   4. Click Stop if the service is running.
   5. Set Startup type to Disabled.
   6. Click Apply, then OK.

4. Check Task Manager to confirm it is no longer active

   1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
   2. Click the Services tab.
   3. Look for the media sharing service entry.
   4. Confirm its status is Stopped.

5. Restart your PC

   1. Click Start > Power > Restart.
   2. After rebooting, go back to services.msc and confirm the service is still disabled.

6. Optional: Remove Windows Media Player if you do not use it

   1. Open Settings > Apps > Optional features.
   2. Search for Windows Media Player.
   3. If available on your version of Windows, select it and click Uninstall.
   4. Restart your PC after removal.

If the setting keeps coming back, check whether another user account, group policy, or third-party media server software is re-enabling sharing.

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