Install Windows Media Player Legacy from Windows Optional Features, then open that legacy app and insert an audio CD to display the Rip CD option.
Windows 11
- Open Start → Settings → System → Optional features.
- Next to Add an optional feature, select View features.
- Search for Windows Media Player Legacy.
- Select its check box, then choose Next → Add.
- When installation finishes, open Start, search for Windows Media Player Legacy, and launch it.
Microsoft documents Legacy Player as an optional feature in Windows 11; on some versions, Optional features may instead be under Settings → Apps.^1^^2^
Windows 10
Go to Start → Settings → Apps → Apps & features → Manage optional features → Add a feature, select Windows Media Player, and then select Install.^1^
Rip the CD
- Open Windows Media Player Legacy, not the newer Media Player app.
- Insert a standard audio CD into the laptop’s internal or external CD drive.
- Select the CD in the left navigation pane if it does not open automatically.
- Maximize the window if necessary.
- Optionally select Rip settings to choose the file format, audio quality, and destination.
- Clear the check boxes beside any tracks you do not want.
- Select Rip CD. The resulting WMA, WAV, or MP3 files are saved to the Music folder by default.^3^
The Rip CD button is shown when Legacy Player recognizes an inserted audio CD. It will not appear merely from opening the player without a recognized audio disc.
Check Settings → System → About → Windows specifications → Edition.
If the edition name ends in N, install the required media components first:
- Open Settings → Apps → Optional features.
- Select View features beside Add an optional feature.
- Find and install Media Feature Pack.
- Restart the computer even if Windows does not request it.
- Return to Optional Features and install Windows Media Player Legacy if necessary.^4^
If Legacy Player opens but no CD appears in its navigation pane, verify that the disc is an audio CD and that the CD/DVD drive appears in File Explorer. That would indicate a disc or drive-recognition issue rather than a missing ripping option.
References
- Windows 10
- Add, remove, or hide Windows features (windows-11)
- Burn and rip CDs | Microsoft Support
- Windows 11