Microsoft Corp. has released Windows Media Player 11 in beta, providing the desktop view of its online music store URGE, a joint venture with MTV Networks Inc.

The upgrade is for Windows XP and is a significant rework of the current media player. While URGE has been tightly integrated in the new version, the software also can access other select stores, with more being added in the future. Version 11 only plays music that supports Microsoft's digital rights management software, which means it won't play songs directly from Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.

In fact, Microsoft in conjunction with MTV is hoping URGE can help take a piece of the online music market dominated by Apple. The computer maker's iPod, which is tightly integrated with iTunes, controls two thirds of the market for portable music players. Microsoft would like to see Windows Media Player 11 jumpstart iPod competitors, which have failed to lure buyers away from Apple with the software maker's previous media platform.

Besides playing and selling music, Media Player 11 also can rip CDs, play video, manage downloads to media devices and music libraries and play CDs and DVDs.

MTV launched URGE in beta on Wednesday, a day before Microsoft released Media Player 11. The music store does not support Macintosh computers from Apple or the iPod.

Review: Windows Media Player 11 Beta