How to Play Movie Files From DVDs on a Lenovo Computer

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Play DVD movies with the Windows Media Player.

The DVD technology has taken the place of the VHS format for movies. It is popular nowadays for watching movies on a desktop or notebook computer. All newer versions of the Microsoft operating systems includes DVD encoding software in the Microsoft Media Player program. Your Lenovo computer will not be able to play DVD movies if the DVD encoding software was damaged or that you are running an old version of the Microsoft OS.

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Step 1

Insert the DVD that you want to play into the CD/DVD drive.

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Step 2

Go to "Start" if the DVD title menu does not display on your screen. Scroll to find and click "TV + Movies" in the list. This will launch the Windows Media Player program.

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Step 3

Click the "Play" button on the opening Windows Media Player screen to watch the movie on your DVD. Proceed to next step if nothing happens after a few seconds. Skip to Step 6 if the movie is playing.

Step 4

Close the Microsoft Media Player program and download a DVD decoding software package if an error warning appears on your screen. The error message will say that a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your system rendering the movie unable to be played. Be sure that the downloading DVD decoder is compatible with your Lenovo computer and your operating system.

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Step 5

Follow the on-screen instructions to install the DVD decoding software on your Lenovo. Try Steps 1, 2 and 3 again to play your DVD movie. Skip Steps 4 and 5 if everything works fine.

Step 6

Click the "Next" button on the Windows Media Player control panel to skip to the next movie chapter on the DVD.

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Step 7

Return to the previous movie chapter on the DVD by clicking the "Previous" button on the presenting control panel.

Step 8

Choose the "Stop" or "Pause" button on the control panel to stop or pause the movie.

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Step 9

Press the "Eject" button on the CD/DVD drive to remove the DVD. For XP and Vista, you can also go to "My Computer," right-click on the CD/DVD device icon and select "Eject." For Windows 7, go to "My Computer" and "DVD-RW" (in the Devices with Removable Storage category), right-click on the device icon and choose "Eject."

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