windows media player won't play certain files

[zingo1327]

When I go on a file sharing site and download an AVI video and some other types MOV for one, media player says it can't play this type of file. I have ticked all the boxes in media player properties telling it to play any type of file. Why won't it play AVI and MOV files.
I have XP home edition

[vehelpfulguy]

Microsoft tends to want to support its own formats so does not support formats of competitors.

AVI can be played with the VLC player, download from here

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.h tml

MOV format was created by Apple and the Quick Time player is best for that. From here:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

In fact I think VLC can also play QuickTime. VLC tries to support all formats.

[LeMarchand]

WMP should play AVI files - most likely you need the DivX or XVid codecs.