Windows Media Player 11

Windows Media Player 11 for XP
This is the latest version of Windows Media Player.
The Default Version installed with windows XP is Windows Media Player 9.
To upgrade, Visit the Microsoft download site link provided below
You Need to select Version 11 to download. The file size is 25,190 KB and it will do a genuine Windows validation before you can install the downloaded file.

Codecs to play DVDs with Windows Media Player.
Windows Media Player does not come with the codecs needed to play DVDs on a fresh installation. Codecs need to be installed to enable Windows media player to recognise and play DVDs, flv, mp4 and divx file format. There are various codecs which are available for download. Some are commercial codecs like DVD Xpac from Intervideo, Cyberlink PowerDVD SE and Nvidia DVD decoder.

There are also free codecs available on the internet. Two popular codecs are Klite and Vista Codec Package.
Follow the links below to download the free codecs. You need to download only one set of codecs.

Downloads

Microsoft Window Media Player 11
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/AllDownloads.aspx.

Video Codecs for Window Media Player
Vista Codecs Package 4.7.2 final from MajorGeeks

K-lite codec Pack 4.1.4 full

DVD Utilities

DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 english

This freeware is very useful as a dvd copy program. It can shrink the source dvd to whatever desired size but requires Nero burning software to burn the copy.
DVD shrink Guide

DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 english download mirror
dvdshrink md5

DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 english
md5
*dvdshrink32setup.zip = e6b0a6346fe640365f4ab9d5c7d9fb93
*dvdshrink32setup.exe = efc4643607d821ee5b1e306b5181917c