The latest development build of Windows 11 added the ability to perform a native CD copy through the new Media Player application.

Windows 11 is a development “in development” and does not include features that anyone would expect from an operating system. In addition to tweaking the entire interface and revamping the apps that ship with the system, Microsoft continues to add features (slowly but slowly), and now one is being announced that third-party apps have been doing for decades.

You already know that Windows 11 released a new Media Player a few months ago to replace the discontinued Groove Music as default application for playing music and video. The application maintains the approach of the classic Windows Media Player and has been updated with the “modern” design implemented in Windows 11.

And with the expected features, but not all. In addition to typical playback, it functions as a music library for browsing, searching and playing music, as well as creating and managing playlists. Same for video content. The app will automatically find all saved local content and any more can be added manually.

Microsoft has been improving it ever since, adding support for CD playback last March. With the new update now introduced, native copy and rip support. Supported formats in this version include AAC, WMA, FLAC and ALAC with various bitrate options. If you don’t choose another preference, Microsoft recommends the AAC audio format.

It’s also worth noting that Media Player is now the default app for opening video files in Windows 11, instead of the “Movies & TV” app that previously performed this function.

In mid-2022, it’s hard to talk about copying and ripping CDs as a new operating system feature, but that’s how it goes in Windows 11. The positive is that we like the new media player, it’s much better than having to use three separate apps (the old Media Player, Groove, and Movies & TV), and Microsoft keeps improving it accordingly. Slowly yes.

Related. We don’t know if you’ll still be using CDs (sales of typical audio CDs are skyrocketing), but remember that your optical discs are at risk and it might be time to update your collection before it’s too late.