Don't be fooled - this isn't a Microsoft product. However, Media Player Classic is an attempt by open-source developers to make a revised version of the Windows Media Player and take it back to a time when it wasn't such a pig to use.

Looks wise, the developers have succeeded in turning back the years - firing up Media Player Classic feels like being transported back to Windows 98-era computing, so spare is the interface. However, the program boasts modern playback capabilities, being able to cope with virtually all the latest video and audio formats. On the downside, the program's old-school Favorites menu and management is less welcome - it's just too limited to be useful.