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What's the leanest MP3 player for Windows?

StageLeft

No Lifer
I have the small version of Winamp. A fairly recent version, 5 something. It requires 170 megs, which is just absurd. I need a leaner player because I've memory issues on this computer!
 
What OS? I play my MP3s using WMP11 - it is built in to my laptop - no other software needed.
 
foobar2000 is pretty lightweight, but it takes a lot of playing around with it to get it into a decent usable state IMO.
 
Winamp uses less than 10 MB on my XP Pro system. Did you do a full install (including Visualizations and the Winamp Agent)? If so, that may be why. Those "extras" can use a lot of memory.
 
This is on XP. I chose the minimal install. God alone knows why it's taking up 170 megs. This computer needs a rebuild but it's a work PC and will cost me a day to do it.
 
I'm using Winamp 5 and it takes 40 MB (OS: Windows XP Pro, SP2). There's definitely some extra things installed along with Winamp on your system.
 
Here's a few simple, lightweight MP3 players:

Billy
1by1
Coolplayer

Most don't require setup, can be run from USB drives, and are less than 1MB in size. They don't have the features of Winamp, WMP, etc. but get the job done.
 
Winamp also has some extra crap to help it play video files. Don't install those, that may help reduce its footprint.
 
I have Winamp 2.95 on my work computer. The Winamp folder in program files is about 3.5MB.
It also says 3.5mb in add/remove programs.

I think winamp 5 takes less than 10mb on my laptop at home. I never bother to check.

Maybe you have some songs inside the winamp folder?
 
Foobar2000
7.5mb installed
10mb ram playing a song

This is with only the default plugins and without anything fancy like album art
 
i have Winamp 5.5 running on my Win2000 box.
it takes 38Mb with Playlist and Album art opened.
if i open the Media Library too, RAM jumps to 48Mb.
i did a custom install and de-selected LOTS of features.

i love Winamp. have been using it since late 90's.
 
For memory usage, Winamp 5.33 is using 4,424k (4mb) memory with Playlist in Vista.
I have had no problem with Winamp.
 
Originally posted by: Steve
I'm still on Winamp 2.95. www.oldversion.com

When I install that I get messages (from Winamp) that I'm running a version with significant security risks and I should upgrade. Eventually I did, not sure it was wise. In either case I use the "Clasic" interface, so it looks about the same. No visualizations or Agent. The main reason I've stuck with Winamp is that it's supported by a freebie MP3 utility that I use to chop MP3s into pieces (Trackmaker 1.2).

I think the security risk thing has to do with running MP3s that might have embedded malware. I don't download a lot of MP3s, but to be on the safe side, I installed a late version.
 
Originally posted by: Muse
Originally posted by: Steve
I'm still on Winamp 2.95. www.oldversion.com

When I install that I get messages (from Winamp) that I'm running a version with significant security risks and I should upgrade. Eventually I did, not sure it was wise. In either case I use the "Clasic" interface, so it looks about the same. No visualizations or Agent. The main reason I've stuck with Winamp is that it's supported by a freebie MP3 utility that I use to chop MP3s into pieces (Trackmaker 1.2).

I think the security risk thing has to do with running MP3s that might have embedded malware. I don't download a lot of MP3s, but to be on the safe side, I installed a late version.

I don't get any messages from my Winamp. You must have something installed with it that is calling home (perhaps Winamp agent?). I think the security vulnerability in that old version may have to do with streaming audio.
 
I've done the bare minimum winamp install (nothing but the base program), and in vista 64 it's playing one mp3 right now at 26 megs.
 
Originally posted by: Muse
Originally posted by: Steve
I'm still on Winamp 2.95. www.oldversion.com

When I install that I get messages (from Winamp) that I'm running a version with significant security risks and I should upgrade. Eventually I did, not sure it was wise. In either case I use the "Clasic" interface, so it looks about the same. No visualizations or Agent. The main reason I've stuck with Winamp is that it's supported by a freebie MP3 utility that I use to chop MP3s into pieces (Trackmaker 1.2).

I think the security risk thing has to do with running MP3s that might have embedded malware. I don't download a lot of MP3s, but to be on the safe side, I installed a late version.

probably old streaming vulnerabilities.
just firewall it off
 
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