As you suggested in another thread, I opened a terminal and typed:
sudo apt-get install vlc

While watching the terminal window, installation seemed to proceed without
error.

However, wmv files still don't play. When I double click a wmv file, a Movie
Player window opens, then another panel opens on top of it with this message:

"Search for suitable plug-in? The required software to play this file is not
installed. You need to install suitable plug-ins to play media files. Do you
want to search for a plug-in that supports the selected file? ... "