MediaPlayer doesn't work if legacy WMP is not installed.

[JordanSjodinFaithlife]

Description

In modern versions of Windows, Windows Media Player is a legacy item one has to add via Optional Features. If you don't do this, then the MediaPlayer and VideoDrawing in WPF apps doesn't work.

This error is shown if the legacy player is not installed:
System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException (0x88980507): MILAVERR_INVALIDWMPVERSION (0x88980507)

It would be great to be able to play videos within WPF regardless of if the end-user has an optional feature installed of not.

Reproduction Steps

1. Install a fresh install of Windows 11 Or Go to "Manage Optional Features" and remove the "Windows Media Player Legacy" from your system (might need to reboot for it to actually go away)
2. Try to use a WPF app that uses a MediaPlayer and VideoDrawing to playback a video.

Expected behavior

1. WPF would provide a working MediaPlayer that doesn't rely on something labeled 'Legacy' to be installed.

Actual behavior

1. WPF does not provide a working MediaPlayer

Regression?

No response

Known Workarounds

No response

Impact

No response

Configuration

.net 8
Windows 10 or 11
x64

Does not appear to be affected by this configuration.

Other information

No response