Winamp for Windows

A media player for your desktop that is completely free media playerSkinsBrowserAll-in-one package

After a long hiatus most users were happy to see Winamp not returning after all these years. The old-timer app returned with a vengeance, they didn't know. Winamp now has a customizable interface and a revamped file manager and layout. It is optimized for Windows 10. The latest version is now available.

Winamp is still available for free, but it is considered a Freemium application. It may not be available if you are looking for the original model of the app. Winamp does offer a classic theme at setup. This option will be preferred by some users over the modern interface. It looks like they are trying too hard with the cluttered layout. Winamp feels a bit more complicated than VLC Media Player's easy navigation or WMP.

Winamp is safe to download. It is easy to set up. You can also choose to customize the installation option, which allows you to select which components you want to install. This option is best if you have Winamp installed before and want to keep some files default.

Winamp's user interface is one its most flexible features. You can customize everything, from the size of each mini window to the size of the player. You can search the bar for songs to find them more easily. The app allows you to add media from your OneDrive or hard drive. The app can convert all your music and videos to Winamp. This does not actually do anything except that Winamp tags are associated with music and videos, so when you play them, the app will play them instead of Groove.

Winamp will sort your media once you have uploaded them to the app. You can browse songs by album, artist, or title. You can also choose to disable any type of sorting.

Winamp makes it easier to view your files. SmartView allows you to modify and filter specific attributes to create a "smartview". These will be added to a playlist that includes all matching qualities. You can then look at them later. This is a cool feature that some may not find necessary.

Winamp's most iconic feature is still Equalization, or EQ. To change the sound of your audio, you can move sliders along audio frequency band. Are you hearing your music sounding a bit muddy? Try lowering the 1-3K range. Is it too loud? Turn down the low-end bass at 320 and lower. To add some sparkle, turn up the treble or presence ranges at 12K and 14.K.

Winamp allows you to listen to podcasts and radio on your computer. You can tune in to many stations that cover popular genres such as R&B, Rap, Country, and more. This is not ideal as you will need to download a Shoutcast file each station. This means that the session you are listening to is not live. These files are often corrupted upon arrival and won't play.

Winamp is currently developing a podcasts section that will allow users to listen to their subscriptions. If you have an extension, you can receive a Rich Site Summary feed (RSS) through the app. This feature is not confirmed.

The built-in browser lets you surf the internet while listening to music. The browser works, although it is slow. You can sign into your Google account or email the same way you would on Chrome and Firefox. Winamp's RAM usage is minimal if any. This is the beauty of Winamp.

The problem with the built in browser is not its functionality. Winamp is intended to be an audio player and not an internet browser. This feature feels more like a developer's attempt to determine if they can achieve a goal than an intelligent design decision.

Winamp allows you sync files from any smart device or phone. It does not connect directly to your device, but rather through your PC. This allows you to transfer media from an external hard drive to Winamp, and store them in the appropriate folders. This is a cool feature, but it's not uncommon among similar software.

Winamp has given up its simplicity in order to focus on modern utilities. It's a commendable technical effort. Playing offline is less popular these days. Winamp might be able convince users that it is not as easy with all its advanced features. This is a good thing. However, some users may still prefer the simpler model.

It's why apps like Groove Music and VLC are so popular. They are simpler and more user-friendly than Winamp. The app has many great features, but that doesn't mean you should ignore them. Convenience is key and most people still prefer having everything in one place.

Winamp 5.8 is the latest version of the app. It now supports Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. It has also changed the encoders for many file formats like.mp3, update libraries, and.mp3.