Windows Guide · HEVC Codec

How to Install HEVC H.265 Codec in Windows 10 and Windows 11 HEVC

A practical guide to installing HEVC Video Extensions, checking whether the codec is already installed, fixing playback errors, and opening iPhone, GoPro, 4K, HDR, MP4, and MOV videos in Windows.

⏱ 6 min read 🪟 Windows 10 🪟 Windows 11 🎬 Video playback
Overview

What Is HEVC H.265 and Why Does Windows Need a Codec?

HEVC, also known as H.265 or High Efficiency Video Coding, is a modern video compression format used for high-quality video with smaller file sizes. It is common in 4K video, HDR video, iPhone recordings, action camera footage, drones, screen recorders, and streaming services.

In Windows, a video file can have a familiar container such as .mp4 or .mov, but the video stream inside that file may still be encoded with HEVC. If the required codec is missing, the file may not play in Media Player, Movies & TV, Photos, Clipchamp, or other apps that use Windows media components.

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Important Installing the HEVC codec does not change the file extension. It adds decoding support so Windows apps can understand the HEVC video stream inside files such as .mp4, .mov, .mkv, .hevc, and .h265.

Common Signs That the HEVC Codec Is Missing

Before you install

How to Check If HEVC Codec Is Already Installed in Windows

Some computers already include HEVC decoding support through the manufacturer, graphics driver, or a preinstalled Microsoft Store extension. Before buying or reinstalling anything, check whether the codec is already available.

Check Installed Apps

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Open Apps → Installed apps in Windows 11, or Apps → Apps & features in Windows 10.
  3. Type HEVC in the search field.
  4. Look for HEVC Video Extensions or a similar HEVC extension entry.

Check with PowerShell

You can also use PowerShell to search installed Appx packages that contain HEVC in the name.

PowerShellGet-AppxPackage *HEVC* | Select-Object Name, PackageFullName

If the command returns an installed HEVC package, the codec is probably already present. If the command returns nothing, install the extension from Microsoft Store or use a media player that includes its own HEVC decoder.

Method 1

How to Install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store

The safest system-wide way to add HEVC H.265 support to Windows apps is to install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store. This is the recommended option if you want HEVC playback to work in built-in Windows apps and apps that rely on Microsoft media codecs.

  1. Open Microsoft Store from the Start menu.
  2. Search for HEVC Video Extensions.
  3. Choose the extension published by Microsoft Corporation.
  4. Click Get, Install, or the purchase button shown in your region.
  5. Wait for installation to finish.
  6. Close and reopen the app that could not play the HEVC video.
  7. If playback still fails, restart Windows and test the file again.
✅
Recommended option Use the Microsoft Store extension when you need HEVC support in Media Player, Photos, Movies & TV, file thumbnails, and other apps that use Windows media components.

Is the HEVC Codec Free?

The official Microsoft HEVC extension may be paid in many regions. The exact availability and price can vary by country, account, licensing, Windows edition, and device manufacturer. If the Store shows a price, use that Store page as the final source for your region.

⚠️
Avoid unsafe codec packs Do not install random codec packs from unknown websites just to open one HEVC video. They can add unwanted software, change file associations, or create playback conflicts. Prefer Microsoft Store or a reputable media player.
Method 3

Install HEVC H.265 Codec with winget in Windows Terminal

Advanced users can try installing the Microsoft Store package with winget. This is convenient for scripted setups, fresh Windows installations, or systems where you prefer command-line package management.

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Open Terminal or Windows PowerShell.
  3. Run the command below.
  4. Follow any Microsoft Store, license, sign-in, or purchase prompts that appear.
Windows Terminalwinget install --id 9NMZLZ57R3T7 --source msstore

If the package is already installed, winget may report that no upgrade is available or that the package is already present. If the command cannot find the package, update App Installer from Microsoft Store and try again.

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Not always silent Store licensing can require interactive confirmation. On some systems, winget will open Microsoft Store or ask you to accept source agreements instead of installing the codec completely silently.
Windows N editions

Install HEVC Codec on Windows 10 N and Windows 11 N Editions

Windows N editions do not include some media technologies by default. If you use Windows 10 N or Windows 11 N, install the Media Feature Pack first, then install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps → Optional features.
  3. Select View features or Add a feature.
  4. Search for Media Feature Pack.
  5. Install it and restart Windows.
  6. Open Microsoft Store and install HEVC Video Extensions.

If Media Feature Pack does not appear in Optional features, check Windows Update first. In managed corporate environments, the feature may be controlled by policy or installed through enterprise deployment tools.

Verification

How to Test HEVC H.265 Playback After Installation

After installation, test with the same file that failed earlier. For the cleanest result, close the player completely before reopening the file. Some apps load codecs only when the app starts.

  1. Close Media Player, Photos, Movies & TV, or the video editor you were using.
  2. Right-click the HEVC video file.
  3. Select Open with → Media Player.
  4. Check whether both video and audio play correctly.
  5. If the file still does not open, restart Windows and test again.

Check the Codec with MediaInfo or File Properties

Windows File Explorer may not always show the exact codec. If you need to confirm that a file really uses HEVC, use a media information tool or open the file in a video editor that shows stream details. Look for terms such as HEVC, H.265, hvc1, or hev1.

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Container vs codec MP4 and MOV are containers. The video codec inside them can be H.264, HEVC/H.265, AV1, or another format. The file extension alone does not prove which codec is used.
Comparison

Best Ways to Install or Use HEVC H.265 Codec in Windows

Method What It Does System-wide Codec Best For Notes
Microsoft Store HEVC Video Extensions Adds HEVC decoding support for Windows media components Yes Media Player, Photos, thumbnails, Windows apps Recommended for most users; may be paid depending on region
Direct Store command Opens the official Store product page directly Yes Avoiding wrong Store search results Still requires Microsoft Store access
winget Installs the Store package from Windows Terminal Yes Advanced users and repeat setups May require account, license, or Store prompts
Third-party media player Plays HEVC using its own built-in decoder No Quick playback without changing Windows codecs Usually does not fix Photos, thumbnails, or Windows app playback
Convert HEVC to H.264 Creates a more compatible copy of the video No Sharing files with older PCs and devices Takes time and may reduce quality if settings are poor
Troubleshooting

Fix HEVC H.265 Codec Problems in Windows

If HEVC playback still does not work after installation, the problem may be caused by Store licensing, a damaged app cache, unsupported hardware acceleration, Windows N media components, a corrupt file, or a different missing codec such as AAC, Dolby audio, or AV1.

1. Restart the App and Windows

Close the player or editor completely and open the file again. If that does not help, restart Windows. Media apps sometimes detect newly installed codecs only after a restart.

2. Repair or Reset the Media App

  1. Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  2. Find Media Player, Photos, or the app that cannot open the file.
  3. Open Advanced options.
  4. Click Repair.
  5. If repair does not help, use Reset.

3. Reinstall HEVC Video Extensions

If the extension appears damaged, uninstall it from Settings → Apps → Installed apps, restart Windows, and install it again from Microsoft Store.

4. Update Graphics Drivers

HEVC playback can use hardware decoding from Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, or Qualcomm graphics hardware. Install the latest graphics driver from the PC or GPU manufacturer, especially if HEVC playback is choppy, shows green artifacts, or fails with 4K HDR files.

5. Check Whether the File Uses Another Codec Too

A video file may use HEVC for video but a different codec for audio. If the picture works but sound does not, the missing component may be an audio codec, not HEVC. Try another file or inspect the stream details with a media information tool.

6. Use a Reputable Player for Playback Only

If you only need to watch the file, a reputable media player with built-in codecs can be enough. However, this does not install a Windows system codec and usually will not help with thumbnails, Photos, Clipchamp, or other apps that depend on Microsoft media components.

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Do not download random DLLs HEVC support should not be fixed by downloading individual DLL files from unknown websites. Use Microsoft Store, Windows Update, official drivers, or a trusted player.
FAQ

FAQ: How to Install HEVC H.265 Codec in Windows

Q What is the official HEVC codec for Windows? ▼
The official Microsoft Store option is HEVC Video Extensions. It adds HEVC H.265 playback support for Windows apps that use Microsoft media components.
Q Why can my phone record HEVC video but my Windows PC cannot play it? ▼
Many phones can encode HEVC videos by default, but Windows may not include the HEVC decoder on every PC. Install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store, or change the phone camera setting to a more compatible format such as H.264 for future recordings.
Q Does installing VLC or another player install the HEVC codec for Windows? ▼
Usually no. Many players include their own internal decoders. They can play HEVC files inside that player, but they do not necessarily add system-wide HEVC support for Photos, Media Player, thumbnails, or video editors.
Q Why does the video still not play after installing HEVC Video Extensions? ▼
Restart the app and Windows, repair or reset the player app, update your graphics driver, and test another HEVC file. The original file may be damaged, may use unsupported HDR parameters, or may also require another codec for audio.
Q Do I need HEVC codec for HEIC photos? ▼
Sometimes yes. HEIC/HEIF image support in Windows can require both HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions, especially for images encoded with HEVC compression. Install both if HEIC photos still do not open correctly.
Q Can I convert HEVC H.265 to H.264 instead of installing a codec? ▼
Yes. Converting HEVC to H.264 can make the file more compatible with older PCs, TVs, browsers, and editors. The downside is that conversion takes time and may reduce quality if the bitrate is too low.
Summary

Best Way to Install HEVC H.265 Codec in Windows

The best way to install HEVC H.265 support in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is to use HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store. It adds decoding support for Windows media components, which helps built-in apps and compatible third-party apps open HEVC videos correctly.

⚡ Quick Recap

Best method: Install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store
Direct Store command: ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9NMZLZ57R3T7
Check installed package: Get-AppxPackage *HEVC*
Windows N editions: Install Media Feature Pack first
Avoid: Unknown codec packs and random DLL download websites