Sigh, why does anyone still use WMP anyway? It's maybe the only app that goes lower on my list than IE for security and privacy.

I've tried SO many players and the one that runs CLEAN without any of the naggy crap is JetAudio. Check it out:

http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/jetaudio/

I've not really worried all that much about WMP. Course I am running a full battery of tools to keep the baddies out. The cowen app play everything WMP does?

Hmmm... I'm not sure. I habitually ignore .wma and .wmv files. It has played plenty of WMV for me, but I'm not sure how well it compares.

I can put it this way - with the K-Lite codecs installed, this guy plays just about everything.