How to Free Download HEVC Codec/HEVC Video Extensions for Windows 10

Summary: While Microsoft announced HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufactures no longer function for getting HEVC codec, it still works for some users. Read this post to find out if you can use this free HEVC video extension app for Windows 10. The best part is, whether HEVC Video Extensions from Device manufacturers work or not, this guide has you covered with 9 different ways to get the HEVC codec for Windows 10 at no cost.

Industry adoption of the HEVC (H.265) codec is accelerating rapidly. Major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, and Warner Bros are using HEVC for their 4K content offerings. Broadcasters are even using HEVC for live sports and event streaming in Ultra HD. On top of this, modern devices like iPhones, action cameras, drones, and 360-degree cameras also natively capture and store video in compact HEVC-encoded formats.

However, the issue is that Windows canceled its native support of the HEVC codec out of the box since the 1703 Creators Update version. This leads a lot of Windows users to seek out how to download HEVC codec or HEVC video extensions. Thus, in this post, we'll focus on how to get HEVC codec for free as well as explaining what is HEVC codec, together with errors and FAQs about HEVC playback that users are concerned about most.

What Is the HEVC Codec and Why You Need It

HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, has become one of the most widely used video compression standards in recent years. It builds on advanced techniques like intra-frame coding, inter-frame coding, motion compensation, and transform coding to achieve up to double the data compression ratio compared to its predecessor H.264/AVC. This dramatic gain in coding efficiency enables HEVC-encoded 4K/8K videos to take up significantly less storage space while maintaining the same visual quality. Learn HEVC vs. H.264: Some Key Improvements > >

However, as said, while HEVC is increasingly prevalent, the native support for HEVC playback is not provided out-of-the-box on Windows 10/11 operating systems. That's why many people found their video editors and media players cannot properly interpret and process HEVC-encoded files. Attempting to work with HEVC footage absent the requisite codec introduces playback failures, program crashes, and disruption of editing capacity. This limitation necessitates the installation of the HEVC codec.

The installation of the HEVC codec equips Windows Media Player and native applications with the ability to decode and play HEVC videos. It also endows video editing software lacking native HEVC support with the functionality to handle HEVC content effectively and enables the system to utilize hardware-accelerated decoding for optimized performance.

Get HEVC Codec for Windows 10 by Installing HEVC Video Extensions Free

Microsoft releases two versions of HEVC Video Extensions: HEVC from Device Manufacturer (Free) and HEVC Video Extension ($0.99).

HEVC from Device Manufacturer (Free) utilizes the hardware version of the HEVC decoder to allow the playback of HEVC videos.

HEVC Video Extension ($0.99) uses a hardware HEVC decoder if one is present in the device's CPU. If no hardware decoder is available, it will instead utilize a software-based HEVC decoder that runs as a process within the Windows operating system.

Suppose both two Microsoft options don't work for your needs, you can consider getting the free open-source Libde265 HEVC codec from third-party sources.

Method 1. Install HEVC Video Extension from Device Manufacturer

• Size: 7MB.
• System requirement: Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher.
• User rating: 3.8/5 (Based on 356 ratings).

The HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer was an application previously available on the Microsoft Store. It enabled HEVC video playback on Windows 10/11 devices that have compatible CPUs or graphics cards licensed for HEVC playback. However, Microsoft discovered that people were able to install the app even on systems without proper HEVC hardware capabilities. Thus, the HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturers application is not appear in the search results on the Microsoft Store when you search for HEVC Video Extension or related terms. Luckily, for users who are using hardware shipped with a license to use HEVC, you can install HEVC Video Extension from Device Manufacture from this link：https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9n4wgh0z6vhq.

Step 1. Directly visit the link of HEVC Video Extension from Device Manufacturer.

Step 2. Click Install to start installing HEVC Video Extension from Device Manager.

Notable limitations:

• Unavailable for users whose CPUs and GPUs do not include a license for HEVC playback.
• Some users may still experience errors when playing HDR HEVC videos.
• Many users have reported issues playing HEVC videos on browsers like Edge and Chrome.
• Editing HEVC videos in third-party video editors may still be problematic.

Method 2. Install HEVC Video Extensions to Get HEVC Codec

• Size: 9.9MB.
• System requirement: Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher.
• User rating: 1.4/5 (Based on 2523 ratings).

You may be familiar with the HEVC Video Extension - it's software that Windows prompts you to purchase (for $0.99) and download when your computer is unable to play an HEVC video file due to missing the required codec. It utilizes the hardware capabilities of newer devices, including those with an Intel 7th Generation Core processor and newer GPU, to support 4K and Ultra HD content. It also provides software support for systems where hardware decoding is not available, such as older systems, or when the video exceeds the system's decoding capabilities. However, keep in mind that the playback experience may vary based on video resolution and PC performance.

Step 1. Search for Microsoft Store using the search bar and open the app. Sign in with your account and password.

Step 2. Search for HEVC Video Extensions in Microsoft Store. Once you find it, go to the details page. Click Buy to purchase it.

Step 3. Click Install and wait for the installation to complete. If it's your first time installing, click Open to activate the HEVC Video Extension application.

Notable limitations:

• Unstable playback of HEVC videos.
• Errors like can't launch/download/install the HEVC extensions after purchase occur frequently.
• Accounts in some regions may not have access to purchase HEVC Video Extensions.

Method 3. Install Libde265

Libde265 is a free and open-source software library developed for encoding and decoding video data using the HEVC standard. Developed by the venerable VideoLAN team, the minds behind the ubiquitous VLC media player, its latest version supports a wide range of HEVC profiles, such as Main, Main 10, Main Still Picture, Main 12, and Main 4:2:2 10, up to Level 5.1. Thus, with this free HEVC codec installed, you should have no problem playing HEVC 4K Ultra HD videos without any issues. Plus, it's released under a permissive BSD license, allowing easy modification and integration into both free and commercial products.

Step 1. Open this link on your browser: https://github.com/strukturag/LAVFilters/releases

Step 2. Find Libe265-filters-0.1.1.exe and click on it to download it onto your Windows 10 computer.

Step 3. Right-click the downloaded file and choose Run as Administrator.

Step 4. In the pop-up installation wizard, click Next. Choose the destination folder and click Next to proceed.

Step 5. You will see several screens allowing you to select the components to install, the Start menu folder, splitter formats, etc. You can keep all the default settings.

Step 6. After making your selections, click Install to begin installing the Libde265 filter on your Windows machine.

Notable limitations:

• Hard for non-tech-savvy individuals to configure the library.
• Detailed installation documentation is absent.
• Some users have reported experiencing stuttering and green artifacts.

Get HEVC Codec for Windows 10 by Installing HEVC Codec Packs

Installing HEVC codec packs is also a common solution for making HEVC videos playable on Windows 10. However, it's important to exercise caution when using codec packs and consider the potential drawbacks before installing them on your system. Codec packs can sometimes contain outdated or incompatible codecs, leading to playback issues or conflicts with existing software. Additionally, installing codec packs from unreliable sources can pose security risks, as they may include malware or adware.

Method 4. Install the K-Lite Codec Pack

• Size: 59.7 MB.
• System: Windows XP and later.
• Supported codecs: AVI, MKV, MP4, MPEG, MP3, M4A, AAC, OGG, 3GP, AMR, APE, MKA, Opus, Wavpack, Musepack, etc.

K-Lite Codec Pack is a comprehensive collection of codecs, DirectShow filters, and tools that enable playing a wide variety of media formats on Windows. It is offered in 4 versions - basic, standard, full, and mega. Starting in version 10.10, all variants of the K-Lite Codec Pack have added support for decoding HEVC video codecs. This includes formats such as HEVC, HVC1, HM10, and H265 that are used for high-resolution and streaming video. With even just the simple K-Lite Codec Pack installed, you can play back HEVC videos in media players and web browsers on Windows 10, 8, 7, and XP (both 64-bit and 32-bit).

Step 1. Go to the https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm.

Step 2. Click Download Basic to have the K-Lite Codec Pack downloaded on Windows.

Step 3. Double-click the installer to start the installation process.

Step 4. The K-Lite Codec Pack Setup Wizard will open. If you're a beginner or prefer not to customize the installation, it's best to leave all options at their default settings. Click Next to continue through the setup process.

Step 5. You will be presented with several screens that allow you to select components, configure settings, and choose file associations. If you've chosen to leave all options default, simply keep clicking "Next" to proceed through these steps without making changes.

Step 6. After configuring the settings and selecting your preferred components, hit Install, and then click on Finish.

Notable limitations:

• Requires technical skill to configure settings optimally.
• Playing high-bitrate HEVC videos smoothly may still be an issue.
• Lack of support for decoding 10-bit HEVC videos, requiring more system resources.
• Work only on Windows OS, not compatible with Linux or MacOS.

Method 5. Install Media Player Codec Pack

• Size: 46.2M (Standard Edition), 123MB (Plus Edition), 27MB (Lite Edition).
• System: Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, 7.
• Supported codecs: x264, x265, h.265, HEVC, 10bit x265, 10bit x264, AVCHD, AVC, DivX, MPEG4, MPEG2, etc.

The Media Player Codec Pack is a user-friendly installer that includes popular video and audio codecs (such as H.264, HEVC, DivX, and FLAC) along with filters and plug-ins for major media players on Windows. This pack ensures smooth playback of HEVC videos by offering decoding support for x265, 10-bit x265, and GPU hardware acceleration from Nvidia, AMD, ATI, and Intel. For beginners, the Easy Installation option simplifies the process of installing the Media Player Codec Pack. Advanced users can opt for the Expert Installation, which allows customization of features, output audio channel configuration, and more. There are 3 main versions available: 1) Standard provides core playback capabilities for HEVC videos; 2) Plus offers a wider selection of encoder codecs; and 3) Lite is a stripped-down build. For most users who simply need HEVC video playback support, the Standard version should suffice.

Step 1. Go to the official site of Media Player Codec Pack https://www.mediaplayercodecpack.com/standard/

Step 2. Click Download to download the target version of Media Player Codec Pack on the Windows computer.

Step 3. Go to the download location and double-click the installer file. Click Run to confirm that you're going to run this setup.

Step 4. In the setup wizard, choose Easy Installation if you're unsure of which components to install. If you have specific requirements, opt for Detailed Installation. Click Next to proceed.

Step 5. Follow the prompts to continue with the installation. This may include accepting the license agreement, choosing the components you want to install, and selecting the installation folder.

Step 6. Once you have made all your selections, click Next to begin the installation process. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take several minutes depending on your system and the components you have chosen to install.

Notable limitations:

• Risk of installing unnecessary or redundant codecs.
• Potential system clutter and conflicts with existing software.
• Complex installation process for users unfamiliar with codecs.

Method 6. Install Shark007

• Size: 22.9MB.
• System: Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, 7.
• Supported codecs: HEVC, AMR, MPC, DivX, Xvid, MPC, FLV, OGG,OGM, etc.

Shark007 Codec Pack is a PC multimedia utility designed to enhance the media playback experience on Windows 10 by providing comprehensive codec support for a wide range of audio, video, and image formats including HEVC, VP9, AV1, HEIC, DivX, and MPEG2. The app is distributed as a dashboard that automatically updates its codec package, ensuring smooth and reliable media playback at all times. By incorporating support for DirectShow filters, it guarantees compatibility with Windows Media Player and other DirectShow-based players. Moreover, users can effortlessly add files to their Windows Media Player playlist by right-clicking the desired file and selecting the 'Add to Windows Media Player List' option from the context menu.

Step 1. Visit the official Shark007 codecs website: Shark007 Official Site.

Step 2. Look for the download links for either the 64bit ADVANCED Codecs Portable or the 64bit STANDARD Codecs Portable. The Standard version usually suffices for most needs.

Step 3. Upon selecting one of the options, you'll be redirected to a new page. Here, find and click on the Download Now button to start downloading the codec pack.

Step 4. Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file on your computer and extract its contents using a file extraction tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip.

Step 5. Find the extracted executable file and double-click it to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the Shark007 codecs for enabling your Windows PC to play videos encoded by HEVC.

Notable limitations:

• Can be overwhelming for novice users due to numerous settings.
• Possible compatibility issues with other codec packs.

Method 7. Install Windows 10 Codec Pack

• Size: 46.3MB.
• System: Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7.
• Supported codecs: x265, h.265, HEVC, 10bit x264, x264, AVCHD, DivX, XviD, MP4, etc.

The Windows 10 Codec Pack is a comprehensive and user-friendly bundle of codecs, filters, and splitters designed to expand compatibility for Windows Media Player and other DirectShow-based media players. This codec pack supports a wide variety of modern video and audio formats, including x265, HEVC, x264, XviD, and MPEG2, enabling users to play both standard HEVC videos as well as many other media file types they may have. However, it's important to clarify that while the Windows 10 Codec Pack supports many formats, it does not extend support to 10-bit HEVC videos. Therefore, if you're looking to play 10-bit HEVC content on Windows Media Player or any other media player that relies on system codecs, you will need to find an alternative solution that explicitly includes 10-bit HEVC compatibility.

Step 1. Visit the official Windows 10 Codec Pack site: https://www.windows10codecpack.com/.

Step 2. Click Download to download the installation pack on the Windows 10 computer.

Step 3. Locate and double-click the installer file you just downloaded. Click Run to confirm that you want to run this setup.

Step 4. For simplicity, choose Easy Installation. If you need specific components, select Detailed Installation instead. Click Next to continue.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen prompts to continue the installation. After making all your selections, click Next to begin the installation process of this HEVC codec pack.

Notable limitations:

• Lack of support for newer video codecs like AV1.
• Cannot help for the playback of 10-bit HEVC videos.
• Risk of conflicts with other codec packs.
• The manual installation process is challenging for beginners.
• Cause random compatibility issues.

Get HEVC Codec by Installing an HEVC Player for Windows 10

If your goal is simply to play HEVC files on Windows 10 without the need to edit them, and you prefer to skip the hassle of dealing with codec extensions or packs, consider switching from Windows Media Player to VLC media player or another third-party media player that natively supports the HEVC codec.

Method 8. Install VLC Media Player

VLC media player stands out as one of the most widely-used media players, renowned for its ability to play media files encoded in a wide range of popular and less common formats. Starting from version 2.1, VLC can handle 4K ultra-HD videos (HEVC/H.265) at speeds of up to 60 frames per second. It also supports Intel QSV for HEVC decoding, which has the potential to significantly enhance the playback performance of HEVC videos. However, some users still encounter issues such as green screens, choppy playback, and various other playback errors. Besides, playing 4K HEVC video smoothly requires beefy hardware - VLC recommends at least a 4-core Intel Core i7 equivalent CPU. Anything less may struggle with choppy playback and poor performance.

Notable limitations:

• Poor performance or may not function at all on less powerful computers.
• Limited support for advanced features or profiles of HEVC, like HVC1 HEVC videos.
• Frequent occurrences of crashes during operation.

Method 9. Install 5KPlayer

5KPlayer stands out as one of the top free media players, offering comprehensive support for a wide range of audio-video codecs, including the complex and contentious HEVC and VP9 codecs crucial for the future of 4K video. Unlike some players, it does not impose restrictions on the video resolution being played, allowing seamless playback of 4K/8K HEVC videos in popular formats like MP4 and MKV. Enhanced by hardware acceleration technologies such as AMD, Intel QSV, NVIDIA Cuda, and DXVA 2.0, the playback performance is exceptional. Additionally, 5KPlayer enables streaming and downloading of online video and audio content.

Notable limitations:

• No skin/theme options - Users cannot customize the interface appearance.
• Lack of support for multi-language functionality.

Installed HEVC Codec for Windows 10 But Still Failed to Open HEVC? Let's Fix

Installing a codec or extension to enable HEVC video support does not always translate to problem-free playback. It can introduce new compatibility issues and playback struggles. Most codecs only support specific HEVC profiles and levels - like the Main profile or Main 10 profile. So you'll need to carefully check which profiles the codec packs support, and cross-reference that against the profile used to encode your own HEVC footage. And even with the correct match between the encoding profile and the decoder's capabilities, smooth HEVC playback is still not guaranteed, unfortunately. You may run into choppy frame rates, freezing, crashing of video editors, lack of audio, or other playback issues despite the installed codec.

For example, users report problems like:

"I bought the official codec from the Microsoft Store and that did not work and then I tried to get it to work with K-Lite codec pack and that also didn't work." - by CanonShooter from cdeocs.forumtion.

"While the new codec is installed, the Microsoft Media Foundation Library that does video playback in Unity is not using it." - by kennyatinsight from forum.unity.com.

"I have installed the HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacture, now the videos with h265 work well but I get no sound from them." - by Carco11 from Reddit.

Why Installed HEVC Codec But Still Failed to Open HEVC on Windows 10

The lack of hardware decoding support is the core reason. HEVC encoding uses extremely complex mathematical algorithms to achieve its superior compression efficiency. But this same complexity also makes decoding very resource-intensive. There are two main decoding approaches:

Software Decoding: The computer's CPU tries to process and decode the HEVC video files. However, this puts an extremely heavy load on the CPU, which struggles to keep up, resulting in choppy or frozen playback.

Hardware Decoding: The graphics card or integrated graphics chip handles the decoding process instead of the CPU. Graphics cards have dedicated hardware specifically designed to efficiently decode HEVC compression. This allows smooth, flawless playback.

Without compatible graphics hardware acceleration, computers and video players may default to software decoding, causing stuttering, freezing, or sluggish playback of HEVC files. This problem becomes more pronounced with 4K UHD videos, as they impose a greater burden on the CPU, leading to freezing or stuttering errors.

Solution 1. Upgrade the Hardware

Most desktop computers built in 2015 and mobile devices released in late 2014 or later typically include hardware support for seamless HEVC video playback. However, older desktop machines may lack dedicated HEVC decoding abilities. If you are experiencing issues playing HEVC videos on an older desktop, you may need to upgrade your hardware. TechSpot lists examples of desktop and mobile hardware released since 2014 capable of smooth HEVC decoding, including:

• Nvidia's Maxwell based GeForce GTX 750, GTX 950, GTX 960 and above graphics cards.
• AMD's GCN 1.2 based Radeon R9 285, R9 380 and above GPUs
• Intel Skylake CPUs with HD 530 integrated graphics or newer.
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series processors found in many Android phones.
• Apple A8 chip released with the iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus and newer iOS devices

Solution 2. Convert HEVC to H.264

Instead of dealing with the hassle of upgrading hardware and installing HEVC codec, you can effortlessly improve the compatibility of HEVC videos by converting them to the widely supported H.264 format using VideoProc Converter AI. This capable video converter supports over 370 codecs and formats, including HEVC, H.264, 4K, HD, 360°, VR, and more. It allows you to convert 4K, 10-bit, HDR HEVC videos from any device - like smartphones, cameras, drones - to 420+ formats. For example, you can convert to ProRes for easier editing or H.264 for seamless playback and streaming. By utilizing both software and hardware acceleration, this robust HEVC converter can decode, encode, and transcode HEVC/H.265 to H.264 up to 47x faster than in real time.

Download VideoProc Converter AI and make HEVC compatible with your Windows PC now!

Step 1. Open VideoProc Converter AI on your Windows 10 PC. Hit Video Converter.

Step 2. Scroll down and choose MP4 H.264 as the target format for compatibility with most devices and platforms.

Tips:

• To preserve original video quality, go to Codec Options and select Keep Original for Frame Rate, Resolution, and Aspect Ratio.
• You can also pick from common formats like MKV, MOV, MP4, WebM, and AVI. Even better, you can click Target Format and choose the ready-made presets for certain devices and platforms.
• For faster conversions, choose formats labeled HWAccel to enable hardware acceleration with your GPU. This can help you convert large HEVC files in just minutes.

Step 3. Choose an output folder and click RUN to start converting HEVC to MP4 H.264.

The converted video can now be played in Windows Media Player, Photos app, and other media software without needing to install an HEVC codec. You will no longer see codec error popups when opening the video.

FAQs

1. Do I have to pay for HEVC codec?

You don't need to pay for the HEVC codec to play HEVC videos on your Windows device. As mentioned earlier, you can opt to download a free HEVC pack, install VLC or another media player with built-in HEVC support, or convert the HEVC videos to H.264 or another codec that is more widely compatible.

2. How do I know if HEVC is installed?

To check if HEVC is installed on your device, follow these steps:

• Step 1. Click the Windows search button, type in Windows Media Player, and open the app.
• Step 2. Click on Help and select About Windows Media Player, then click on the Technical Support Information link.
• Step 3. Scroll down on the new pop-up page to see a list of all the installed audio and video codecs on your computer.

3. Should I install HEVC codec?

Installing the HEVC codec can be advantageous if you often work with HEVC-encoded videos. However, if your hardware or software does not support HEVC decoding, it is recommended to convert HEVC videos to a more universally compatible codec like H.264 for error-free playback.

4. How do I watch HEVC videos on Windows 10?

To play HEVC videos on Windows 10, you have a few options:

Option 1. Download and install a third-party video player like VLC media player. VLC has native built-in support for decoding HEVC video files. So with VLC, you can play HEVC videos on Windows 10 without needing additional codecs.

Option 2. Download and install Microsoft's official HEVC video extension from the Microsoft Store for $0.99. This will allow Windows Media Player to play HEVC files.

Option 3. Convert the HEVC videos to a more manageable codec using VideoProc Converter AI. For example, you can convert to H.264 for playing and sharing across mainstream platforms and devices. Or you can convert to editing-friendly formats like ProRes for further video editing in software like DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro. VideoProc Converter AI offers the flexibility to convert HEVC videos to over 420 popular and rare formats to suit your specific needs.