How to Install Free HEVC Codec for Windows 11 [Updated]

If you’re searching for a way to fix HEVC video extensions on Windows 11, chances are your videos won’t play after upgrading. Many users find that HEVC/H.265 footage from iPhone, GoPro, DJI, Canon, or Sony cameras suddenly fails to open in Movies & TV or Windows Media Player. That’s because Windows 11 no longer includes native HEVC support. Even after installing Microsoft’s official HEVC Video Extensions — both the free and the $0.99 version — playback and editing issues are still widely reported.

"Does anyone know how to get the HEVC codec for free on Windows 11? I know VLC works, but I need the casting feature built into Windows Media Player." — Reddit

Because Windows 11 dropped built-in support for HEVC, pushing users to download the codec manually, and in many cases, the official extension still isn’t enough to fix playback or editing compatibility. Check this post on how to install HEVC codec on Windows successfully in different ways.

What is the HEVC Codec & Why You Need It on Windows 11?

HEVC (H.265) is a next-generation video compression standard that delivers similar or better image quality than H.264 at roughly 50% smaller file sizes. It is widely used in 4K / 8K streaming, iPhone & GoPro footage, drone and mirrorless camera recording, modern screen recording tools, etc.

Does Windows 11 have HEVC codec?

Partially yes, but inconsistent.

Windows 11 doesn't come with HEVC (H.265) support right out of the box. Many native apps, including Photos, Movies & TV, Film & TV, Windows Media Player, and even some third-party editors, require the HEVC Video Extensions to decode or encode H.265 footage. However, some OEM builds (Lenovo, Dell, HP laptops) include HEVC support pre-installed. Others do not. When you play an HEVC video in Windows 11's default player, it will show “Can’t play this file” for .mp4 / .mov H.265 videos, then you still need to install the HEVC codec.

HEVC Video Extensions Free Windows 11 [2026 Updated]

Below is an updated guide covering all practical ways to add HEVC support to Windows 11, including official and free HEVC codec Windows 11 options. Ensure your H.265 videos play smoothly without errors, whether you need playback, editing, or system-wide support.

Option 1. [Official] HEVC Video Extensions for Windows 11 ($0.99)

Best for native Windows apps: Smooth playback in Movies & TV, Windows Media Player, and other built-in apps. Reliable, hardware-accelerated, and officially supported by Microsoft.

Windows 10/11 don’t include HEVC codecs. Microsoft provides HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99) via the Microsoft Store. Worthwhile for users who rely on default Windows apps.

Step 1. Launch Microsoft Store from Start or Microsoft Store website.

Step 2. Search "HEVC Video Extensions" and press Enter.

Step 3. Click the result, then "Buy" and complete purchase via Microsoft account.

Step 4. Installation begins automatically.

Step 5. Open Films & TV to play HEVC/H.265 videos.

Note: OEM PCs may include HEVC pre-installed. Custom PCs need separate purchase.

Option 2. Free HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer

Best for OEM users: Free HEVC extension if your PC manufacturer supported it. Not officially supported now; download links may be unreliable.

Instead of paying $0.99, early Windows updates users can get the HEVC extension free for Windows 11 from the device manufacturer. However, this option is no longer officially supported. When you click on the links provided by others online, the HEVC codec download page will remind you "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer is currently not available." with button saying "redeem a code". Luckily, we still find an archived version of the free HEVC video extension for Windows 11. Check how to install HEVC codec free for Windows 11:

Step 1. Visit the archived HEVC page: Download HEVC Free.

Step 2. Click the blue button to start the free download. Avoid misleading ads/buttons.

Step 3. Once downloaded, use Movies & TV to play HEVC videos.

Warning: Unofficial sources may contain malware or broken files.

Option 3. Media Player Codec Pack Plus (Free)

Best for DirectShow players: Supports WMP, MPC, ZoomPlayer, PotPlayer. Includes HEVC/H.265, 10bit x265, MP4, MKV, AVI, WebM, M4V. GPU acceleration for smooth 4K playback.

In addition to the HEVC video extension from Microsoft, you can install third-party free HEVC codecs on Windows 11. Media Player Codec Pack Plus is a free HEVC/H.265 codec pack that will work on Microsoft Windows Media Player and other DirectShow players. With the free HEVC codec installed on Windows 11, you can play videos in HEVC, H.265, 10bit x265, MP4, MKV, AVI, WebM, M4V, and more. HEVC videos in 4K and higher resolutions are supported. It supports GPU hardware acceleration of Nvidia, AMD, ATI, and Intel for smooth HEVC playback.

Step 1. Download free HEVC video extension Windows 11 here.

Step 2. Run EXE → Easy Installation recommended. Uncheck optional offers/toolbars.

Step 3. Open your preferred player (WMP, MPC) to play HEVC videos.

Option 4. K-Lite Codec Pack (Free, Trusted)

Best for power users: Full HEVC/4K support, hardware acceleration, works with MPC-HC, WMP, Media Center, ZoomPlayer, PotPlayer, etc. Standard version recommended.

Does K Lite support HEVC? Yes. K-Lite Codec Pack allows you to play HEVC videos on Windows 11. It has four different variants: Basic, Standard, Full, and Mega. The standard version is free, and it contains codecs to play HEVC, MP4, MKV, AVI, MOV, WebM, and more. It's very friendly on the Windows environment as it includes the MPC-HC player and works with Windows Media Player and Media Center, as well as other popular DirectShow players such as Media Player Classic, ZoomPlayer, KMPlayer, PotPlayer, GOM Player, etc.

Step 1. Download Standard version.

Step 2. Run EXE, choose components (MPC-HC included).

Step 3. Play HEVC videos in any DirectShow player. Tip: Avoid Haali splitter; use LAV splitter for HEVC.

Option 5. libde265 (Free, Open-Source)

Best for developers/technical users: Open-source HEVC/H.265 codec for VLC, Chrome HEVC player, DirectShow, FFmpeg. Decodes 4K Ultra HD @30fps, parallelized for smooth playback.

libde265 is an open-source HEVC/H.265 video codec free for Windows 11. It works with VLC, Chrome HEVC player, Windows DirectShow filter, FFmpeg, and other DirectShow HEVC/H.265 players. libde265 HEVC codec for Windows 11 can decode HEVC 4K Ultra HD videos @30fps AND parallelize the decoding of streams to provide smooth HEVC playback on Windows 11.

Download libde265 for Windows 11 >>

Option 6. HEVC Player for Windows 11 (No Codec Required)

Easiest way (No codec): VLC, MPC-HC, 5KPlayer, MPV, PotPlayer. Play HEVC/H.265 videos directly without installing system codecs. Supports 4K/8K, hardware acceleration, free, open-source or lightweight.

• VLC: Built-in HEVC/H.265 codecs, default player setup.
• MPC-HC: Lightweight, open-source, hardware-accelerated 4K/8K playback.
• 5KPlayer: HD/4K/8K playback, GPU accelerated.

See full list of best free HEVC players for Windows 11.

Option 7. Decode 4K HEVC for Windows 11 with Winxvideo AI (No Codec Required)

Best for editing & long-term use: Convert HEVC/H.265 to H.264, MP4, MPEG4, AVI, WMV, etc. Supports 4K/8K, 10bit, 60fps. Intel, Nvidia, AMD GPU acceleration for 5x faster transcoding. Play HEVC on old hardware.

Step 1. Download and open Winxvideo AI → select Video Converter.

Step 2. Click "+ Video" to add HEVC/H.265 files that won't play.

Step 3. Select output format (MP4/H.264 or preferred).

Step 4. Optional: adjust resolution, frame rate, ratio via Codec Options.

Step 5. Click "RUN" to convert quickly for playback or editing.

Which HEVC Codec for Windows 11 should you choose?

After reviewing the main HEVC codec options for Windows 11, here’s a simple guide to help you decide which solution fits your needs:

• ✔ For native Windows 11 apps (Movies & TV, Windows Media Player)
  Go with the official HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99). This option is stable, safe, and hardware-accelerated, ensuring smooth playback within Microsoft’s built-in apps.

• ✔ For free, system-wide HEVC support
  Consider Media Player Codec Pack Plus or K-Lite Codec Pack. Among them, K-Lite Codec Pack is the most complete and highly recommended for advanced users who need broad compatibility across different players.

• ✔ For simple HEVC playback
  Use VLC Media Player — it’s the easiest, safest, and completely free way to play HEVC/H.265 videos without installing additional system codecs.
• ✔ If your editing software struggles with HEVC
  Use WinXvideo AI to convert HEVC into more editing-friendly formats, such as H.264 or ProRes. This ensures your videos can be edited or shared without compatibility issues.
• ✔ For open-source enthusiasts or technical users
  Choose libde265, which is ideal for developers or users who prefer open-source decoders and want maximum control over playback and integration.

How to Check If HEVC Is Installed on Windows 11?

After you download and install the HEVC video extension on Windows 11, you may want to make sure if the codec is installed successfully on your computer. To check that, here are few simple ways:

1. Use the Movies & TV App

Open the Movies & TV app from the Start menu. Try playing an HEVC video (H.265, .mp4, .mkv, etc.).

If the codec is missing, you’ll see a prompt like: “HEVC Video Extensions are required to play this video.”

This is the simplest way to detect if HEVC support is missing in Windows 11.

2. Check Installed Apps via Settings

Press Win + I to open Settings. Go to Apps > Installed apps. Search for HEVC in the search bar. If HEVC Video Extensions or HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer appears in the list, it’s installed.

Tip: If you see multiple HEVC entries, make sure you are using the one installed under your Microsoft account for full compatibility.

3. Verify Codec in Windows Media Player

Open Windows Media Player. Press Alt to show the menu, then go to Tools > Options > Devices. Select your video playback device and click Properties > Video Codecs. Check if HEVC/H.265 is listed.

Note: Some third-party codec packs (K-Lite, Media Player Codec Pack) may register HEVC differently. In that case, Windows Media Player might not display it explicitly, but playback may still work.

Why is HEVC Codec not working on Windows 11?

While most users have successfully installed and used the HEVC Video Extensions, some have reported issues with launching or opening the extension. How to fix the HEVC codec issues for free? Check below:

1. Windows Media Player can't open HEVC: Some users reported that Windows Media Player on Windows 11 is not recognizing the HEVC codec after they install the HEVC codec extension on Windows 11.

• Verify Codec & Update OS: Confirm that you install HEVC Video Extension on Windows 11 correctly via the Microsoft Store. If problems persist, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Additionally, ensure your Windows 11 system is fully updated, as patches often resolve HEVC codec compatibility issues.
• Use Alternative Software: If the default Windows Media Player can't open HEVC videos on Windows 11, use alternative applications with built-in HEVC support. For example, VLC Player is known for handling a wide range of formats.
• The official HEVC codec extension for Windows 11 may go conflict with third-party codec packs, such as the K-Lite codec pack. For a reliable HEVC codec for Windows 11, it's always best to rely on official extensions from the Microsoft Store.
• Contact Support: As a last resort, contact the support teams for your specific software (e.g., Davinci Resolve) or the HEVC Video Extension developers for specialized guidance.

2. HEVC Codec for Windows 11 Multi-Profile Issue: The HEVC codec for Windows 11 is tied to the Microsoft account used for the purchase, not the device itself. If the codec is not working on a second user profile, you must log into the Microsoft Store on that profile using the original purchasing account and reinstall the codec from there.

3. HEVC Codec for Windows 11 Thumbnail Issue: If you are unable to see HEVC video thumbnails in File Explorer on Windows 11 despite having the official HEVC codec installed, the thumbnail cache may be corrupted. To resolve this, you can try rebuilding the thumbnail cache.

4. HEVC HVC1 issues: There are some specific issues where the HEVC codec may not be recognized in certain software or for specific file formats, like using a USB TV stick or Adobe software. This can be caused by the HVC1 file extension. In such cases, users may have to use other codecs or media players.

FAQ

1. Is there a free version of HEVC video extension Windows 11?

Yes. While Windows 11 doesn't include a built-in free HEVC codec, you can easily gain the HEVC video playback capabilities by installing a free HEVC video extension pack. Popular free HEVC video extensions for Windows 11 include K-Lite Codec Pack and Libde265. These packs provide the necessary codecs to decode HEVC videos on Windows 11 PCs, ensuring smooth playback and optimal viewing experiences.

2. How do I enable HEVC extension on Windows 11?

Once you've installed a codec pack like K-Lite Codec Pack or Libde265, you typically don't need to take any additional steps to enable the HEVC extension on Windows 11. The codec pack should automatically register the necessary codecs with Windows Media Player and other compatible applications on your computer.

However, if you're still encountering issues playing HEVC videos, try the following:

1. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve codec-related issues.
2. Check codec pack settings: If your codec pack has a control panel or settings menu, ensure that HEVC codecs are enabled and configured correctly.
3. Update your video player: Make sure you're using a compatible video player that supports HEVC playback. Popular options include VLC Media Player, PotPlayer, and MPC-HC.
4. Try a different video file: If you're still having trouble, try playing a different HEVC video to see if the issue is specific to a particular file.

3. What is the free app to open HEVC files?

While the Windows Media Player doesn't support HEVC codec, there are some free players that can play HEVC videos on Windows 11 without the need to downloading extra HEVC codecs. For example, there are VLC, 5KPlayer, PotPlayer, MPC-HC, and KMPlayer. All of them are free and contain HEVC codec support.