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Windows 10 does not guarantee that HEVC (also called H.265) playback is installed. If a video from a phone, action camera, or 4K camera will not open, install Microsoft’s free HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer first. It is different from the similarly named general HEVC Video Extensions listing, which may be paid.
Before installing anything, check whether Windows 10 is a standard edition or an N edition. The Media Feature Pack is intended for Windows 10 N—not for ordinary Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education installations.
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Check your Windows 10 edition
- Open Start > Settings > System > About.
- Scroll to Windows specifications.
- Read the value beside Edition.
If the edition ends in N, such as Windows 10 Pro N, install the Media Feature Pack as well as the HEVC extension. Standard Windows 10 editions do not need the Media Feature Pack merely because they are running Windows 10.
Method 1: Install Microsoft’s free HEVC extension
The free Microsoft Store package is named HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer. Open the exact listing rather than searching for “HEVC codec,” since the search results may prominently show the separate paid product.
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- 【H.265 Decoding】-- Powerful H.265 decoding loads files by taking half time and half occupation of bandwidth of H.264 decoding, it is much more efficient and faster; Enjoy a higher quality video experience with less buffering
- 【Multiple Play Modes & Vertical Display】 -- This 4k media player can play various popular videos, music, and photos. Videos and photos can be played in order, and music can be played randomly; It also reads PPT document, you can connect a PPT flip to display it better. It also supports horizontal and vertical screen, compatible with your vertical screen
- 【HDMI & AV & Optical Output】-- You can manage the media player to play MP3 or WAV songs to your speakers via optical or AV output to experience better audio effects. It also reads embedded and external subtitle files like SRT, SMI, SUB, SSA
Open HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer in Microsoft Store
Open the listing with a Windows command
If the web link does not launch the Store, press Windows key + R, enter the following URI, and select OK:
ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhqThe product ID is 9N4WGH0Z6VHQ. You can also open Command Prompt and run:
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Install the extension
- On the page, confirm that the name is HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer.
- Select Get or Install.
- Wait for Microsoft Store to finish downloading and installing it.
- Close and reopen the video application that reported the missing codec.
- Restart Windows if the file still will not open.
The free listing is not guaranteed to be available on every computer. Microsoft may report that it is unavailable because the device does not meet the package’s hardware or licensing conditions. If that happens, the official general listing is HEVC Video Extensions. Its price is whatever Microsoft Store displays for your region and account; do not assume it will always cost a particular amount.
Method 2: Install Media Feature Pack on Windows 10 N
Use this method only when the edition check shows Windows 10 N. The Media Feature Pack restores media technologies removed from N editions, including Windows Media Foundation components and Windows Media Player-related functionality. It is not a universal HEVC fix for ordinary Windows 10.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps.
- Select Apps & features in the left column.
- Select Optional features.
- Select Add a feature.
- Find Media Feature Pack, select it, and choose Install.
- Restart Windows after installation.
After restarting, install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store if the application still says that H.265 support is missing. Microsoft treats the Media Feature Pack and the HEVC extension as separate components.
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- Open Start > Settings > Apps.
- In Apps & features, use the search box.
- Search for
HEVC.
You should see HEVC Video Extensions or HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer. On Windows 10, instructions that refer to Windows 11’s Installed apps page are using a different Settings layout; the relevant Windows 10 page is Apps & features.
If Microsoft Store cannot install the free package
Common causes include an ineligible device, a different Microsoft Store region, a Store account problem, corrupted Store cache, organizational restrictions, or an N edition missing the Media Feature Pack.
Reset the Microsoft Store cache
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
wsreset.exe. - Select OK.
- Wait while the blank Command Prompt window closes and Microsoft Store opens.
- Open the free HEVC listing again.
Do not download a codec DLL, .appx, or .appxbundle from an unofficial website. Those files can be modified, bundled with unwanted software, or incompatible with the Store package. Use Microsoft Store or a reputable player with built-in codec support.
Repair Microsoft Store
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Find Microsoft Store.
- Select it and choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
- If Repair does not help, select Reset.
The Reset option can remove the Store app’s local data. It does not remove your installed Windows applications, but you may need to sign in again.
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Free alternative: use VLC
If you only need to watch the file, install VLC for Windows. VLC includes its own media playback framework and can play many HEVC files without installing Microsoft’s Windows codec extension.
Rank #2
- 【4K Media Player】-- Experience Full 4k@30hz media files in this digital media player; It supports a single file up to 4GB(FAT32) or 30GB(NTFS) in MKV, AVI, TS/TP, MP4/M4V, MOV, VOB, M2TS, WMV, PMP, PG, M2TS; It is capable of 4K video only for 4K TV, HDMI up to 7.1 surround sound, good for home entertainment systems;Made of aluminum alloy, it has better protection during carrying
- 【Dual USB Ports】-- Plays from TF card / USB flash drives(up to 128G) and USB hard drives up to 8TB. Dual USB ports for connecting two devices, but it can only read one of them at one time. You can also connect a USB mouse or keyboard to operate the player, making your TV smarter by adding the ability to play videos, music, and photo slideshows or PPT
- 【H.265 Decoding】-- Powerful H.265 decoding loads files by taking half time and half occupation of bandwidth of H.264 decoding, it is much more efficient and faster; Enjoy a higher quality video experience with less buffering
- 【Multiple Play Modes & Vertical Display】 -- This 4k media player can play various popular videos, music, and photos. Videos and photos can be played in order, and music can be played randomly; It also reads PPT document, you can connect a PPT flip to display it better. It also supports horizontal and vertical screen, compatible with your vertical screen
- 【HDMI & AV & Optical Output】-- You can manage the media player to play MP3 or WAV songs to your speakers via optical or AV output to experience better audio effects. It also reads embedded and external subtitle files like SRT, SMI, SUB, SSA
VLC is an alternative player, not a system-wide codec installation:
- VLC may play the video while Windows Media Player or Photos still cannot.
- Installing VLC does not automatically add HEVC support to video editors, browsers, thumbnail handlers, or other applications.
- VLC may still fail when the file is damaged or uses an unsupported video, audio, or subtitle format.
Why an HEVC video may still fail
Installing the extension supplies HEVC decoding support, but it cannot make every file compatible. Check these separate failure points:
| Symptom | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| The file will not open | Unsupported HEVC profile, damaged file, unsupported app, or outdated graphics driver | Try VLC, update the graphics driver, and test another HEVC file |
| Video plays with no sound | The audio track uses a separate codec, such as AC-3/Dolby Digital | Try VLC or convert the audio track to a format supported by the target app |
| Thumbnails do not appear | File Explorer’s thumbnail handler or the application does not use the installed codec | Restart Explorer or use an application with HEVC thumbnail support |
| HEIC photos still fail | HEIC support also involves the separate HEIF Image Extensions package | Install HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft Store |
Hardware decoding can also matter. Older processors and graphics adapters may struggle with 4K HEVC, 10-bit video, or newer HEVC profiles even when the codec is correctly installed. Updating the GPU driver and testing software decoding in the player can help identify that problem.
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HEVC extension versus Media Feature Pack
| Component | Who needs it | What it provides |
|---|---|---|
| HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer | Eligible Windows 10 devices | HEVC/H.265 decoding support through Microsoft’s Store package |
| HEVC Video Extensions | Devices for which the general Store package is appropriate | The separate official HEVC extension; Store pricing varies |
| Media Feature Pack | Windows 10 N editions | Media technologies removed from N editions; it is not a replacement for every codec |
| HEIF Image Extensions | Users opening HEIC/HEIF images | Image-container support that may be needed alongside HEVC support |
Do not confuse HEVC with an application-specific codec
Some editing programs, browsers, and camera utilities do not use Windows’ shared media components. They may require their own HEVC support, a paid application add-on, or a video conversion step. Likewise, a video playing in VLC proves only that VLC can decode it—it does not prove that the Microsoft extension is installed or available to every Windows application.
FAQ
Is the HEVC codec free on Windows 10?
Microsoft offers a free listing called HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer, but Microsoft Store may restrict it to eligible devices. The separate general HEVC Video Extensions listing may be paid, with the price determined by your region and account.
Do I need the Media Feature Pack to play HEVC on Windows 10?
Only if you use a Windows 10 N edition and need the media technologies removed from that edition. Standard Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions do not need it merely to add HEVC playback.
What is the product ID for the free HEVC extension?
The product ID is 9N4WGH0Z6VHQ. Open it with ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq or use the official Microsoft Store web page.
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Why does Microsoft Store show a paid HEVC extension?
The free manufacturer version and the general HEVC Video Extensions package are separate Store products. Open the exact free listing by product ID rather than searching only for “HEVC codec.”
Can VLC replace the Windows HEVC codec?
VLC can be a free alternative for watching many H.265 files, but it does not install HEVC support for Windows Media Player, Photos, browsers, editors, or other applications.
Why is there video but no sound after installing HEVC?
The video and audio use separate codecs. The audio may use AC-3/Dolby Digital or another format that your application does not support. Try VLC or check the audio track separately.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 10 PCs, open Microsoft’s exact HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer listing and select Get. If the PC runs Windows 10 N, install the Media Feature Pack from Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Optional features, restart, and then install the HEVC extension. If you only need reliable playback, VLC is the simplest free alternative—but it will not add HEVC support to the rest of Windows.
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