If the check box for this option is selected when you receive streaming media over the Internet, Windows Media Player sends a unique identifier to the server that is delivering the stream or receiving connection information. The server typically uses this unique identifier to perform tasks such as monitoring your connections, gathering statistics, and providing access to content. By monitoring your connection, the server administrator can often make adjustments to improve the playback quality and to provide additional services.

The Player does not send this unique ID to content providers by default. Note that you may encounter content providers that require you to send a unique identifier to receive content. If so, you can select this check box to provide that identifier. For more information about how a content provider uses the Player ID, see the content provider's privacy policy.

If you do not want a server to be able to uniquely identify your computer when you are receiving streaming media, do not select this check box.

The Player uses the cookie settings in Internet Explorer to communicate with other computers when playing streaming content and to communicate with the Web sites that display content in the Guide feature and Services area of the Player. Cookies also enable content providers to provide personalized services from their Web sites.

You can prevent (block) your computer from storing cookies from a specific Web site by adding the address of that Web site to a list in Internet Explorer and then specifying that you want to block cookies from that site. You can also prevent your computer from storing cookies from all Web sites or ask to be prompted before cookies are stored on your computer by changing the security level in Internet Explorer. For more information about cookies, see Internet Explorer Help.

Note

• Any changes made to cookie settings in Internet Explorer affect not only the Player, but also Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook®, and Microsoft Outlook Express.