Google Media Server
What is Google Media Server?
A surprising Google Desktop gadget released by Google enables you to share your media across devices. "Google Media Server uses an open technology known as Universal Plug n' Play to stream media to consumer electronic devices. The UPnP specification allows for a variety of hardware (gaming consoles, set-top boxes, photo frames) to communicate and access media from your home PC."
The Windows-only gadget lets you share all the media content indexed by Google Desktop or just the files from some of your folders. Google Media Server can also share some of your Picasa albums (from your computer or from Picasa Web Albums) and the videos uploaded to YouTube.
Google's application requires to authorize the devices that are allowed to access your files, but there's an option to allow any device to access the Media Server.
Overview
It adds registry entry for the current user which will allow the program to automatically start each time it is rebooted. Upon being installed, the software adds a Windows Service which is designed to run continuously in the background. Manually stopping the service has been seen to cause the program to stop functing properly. It adds a background controller service that is set to automatically run. Delaying the start of this service is possible through the service manager. The software is designed to connect to the Internet and adds a Windows Firewall exception in order to do so without being interfered with. The setup package generally installs about 5 files and is usually about 1.62 MB (1,696,002 bytes).
Program details
URL: www.google.com
Help link: www.google.com/help.html
Installation folder: C:\Program Files\google\google media server
Uninstaller: C:\Program Files\Google\Google Media Server\GoogleMediaServerSetup.exe -uninstall
Estimated size: 1.62 MB
Files installed by Google Media Server
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GoogleMediaScanner.exe - Google Media Scanner
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GoogleMediaServer.exe - Google Media Server (Google Media Server service)
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GoogleMediaServerSetup.exe - Google Media Server Installer
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GoogleMediaServerControl.exe
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GoogleMediaServerResources_en.dll
Behaviors exhibited
Service
- GoogleMediaServer.exe runs as a service named 'Google MediaServer' (Google MediaServer).
Startup File (User Run)
- GoogleMediaScanner.exe is loaded in the current user (HKCU) registry as an auto-starting executable named 'Google Media Scanner' and executes as "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Media Server\GoogleMediaScanner.exe".
Windows Firewall Allowed Program
- GoogleMediaServer.exe is added as a firewall exception for 'C:\Program Files\Google\Google Media Server\GoogleMediaServer.exe'.
How do I remove Google Media Server?
You can uninstall Google Media Server from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.
- On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall a Program.
- Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.
- When you find the program Google Media Server, click it, and then do one of the following:
- Windows Vista/7/8/10: Click Uninstall.
- Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).
- Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Google Media Server.
OS VERSIONS
Win 7 (SP1) 44%
Win Vista (SP1) 6%
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WHEN IT STARTS
Auto-starting? Yes
(Found in the run registry)
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USER ACTIONS
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Uninstall it 8%
Keep it 92%
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Windows
Which Windows OS versions does it run on?
| Windows 7 |
43.75% |
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| Windows 10 |
21.88% |
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| Windows Vista |
21.88% |
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| Windows XP |
12.50% |
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Which OS releases does it run on? |
| Windows 7 Home Premium |
21.88% |
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| Windows 7 Ultimate |
15.63% |
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| Microsoft Windows XP |
12.50% |
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| Windows Vista Home Premiu... |
12.50% |
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| Windows 8.1 |
9.38% |
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| Windows 10 Home |
6.25% |
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Geography
64.44% of installs come from the United States
Which countries install it?
| United States |
64.44% |
| Germany |
17.78% |
| United Kingdom |
4.44% |
| Italy |
4.44% |
| Argentina |
2.22% |
| Israel |
2.22% |
| Netherlands |
2.22% |
| Russia |
2.22% |
PC manufacturers
What PC manufacturers (OEMs) have it installed?
| Dell |
24.14% |
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| Hewlett-Packard |
20.69% |
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| Medion |
17.24% |
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| Toshiba |
10.34% |
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| Intel |
6.90% |
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| Sony |
6.90% |
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| MSI |
3.45% |
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| Gateway |
3.45% |
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| Acer |
3.45% |
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| American Megatrends |
3.45% |
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Common models |
| HP-Pavilion NY607AA-ABA s... |
6.90% |
|
| TOSHIBA Satellite L355 |
3.45% |
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| TOSHIBA Satellite C660D |
3.45% |
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| TOSHIBA Satellite A300 |
3.45% |
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| Sony VPCZ11Z9R |
3.45% |
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| Sony VGN-NW150J |
3.45% |
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About Google Inc
Google provides Internet-based products and services such as advertising technologies, internet search, cloud computing, and software.
Publisher URL: www.google.com