Configure Network Buffering

Policy ID
NetworkBuffering
Scope
User Configuration
Supported on
Windows Media Player for Windows XP and later.
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
Windows Components › Windows Media Player › Networking

Description

This policy setting allows you to specify whether network buffering uses the default or a specified number of seconds.

If you enable this policy setting, select one of the following options to specify the number of seconds streaming media is buffered before it is played.

- Custom: the number of seconds, up to 60, that streaming media is buffered.
- Default: default network buffering is used and the number of seconds that is specified is ignored.

The "Use default buffering" and "Buffer" options on the Performance tab in the Player are not available.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can change the buffering options on the Performance tab.

Options

  • Buffering Time
    • Default
    • Custom
  • Everything below this line applies to Custom network buffering only.
  • Configure Network Buffering

Registry

UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
  • NetworkBufferingPolicyREG_DWORD
  • BufferingTypeREG_DWORD
  • NetworkBufferingREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (6)