Configure Network Buffering

Specifies whether network buffering uses the default or a specified number of seconds.

This policy specifies that the default network buffering is used or specifies the number of seconds streaming media is buffered before it is played.

If Custom is selected on the Setting tab, the number of seconds, up to 60, that streaming media is buffered, must be specified. If Default is selected, the default is used and the number of seconds that is specified is ignored.

The Use default buffering and Buffer options on the Performance tab in the Player are not available.

When this policy is not configured or disabled, users can change the buffering options on the Performance tab.

Supported on: Windows Media Player for Windows XP and later.

Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer
Value NameNetworkBufferingPolicy
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Enabled Value1
Disabled Value0

Buffering Time


  1. Default
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer
    Value NameBufferingType
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value1
    Registry HiveRegistry Path:Value NameValue TypeValue
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayerUseDefaultBufferingREG_DWORD1
  2. Custom
    Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
    Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer
    Value NameBufferingType
    Value TypeREG_DWORD
    Value2
    Registry HiveRegistry Path:Value NameValue TypeValue
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayerUseDefaultBufferingREG_DWORD0

Everything below this line applies to Custom network buffering only.

Configure Network Buffering

Registry HiveHKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry PathSoftware\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer
Value NameNetworkBuffering
Value TypeREG_DWORD
Default Value3
Min Value
Max Value60

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