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Install HEVC on Windows

Windows does not ship with the HEVC decoder enabled on every PC. You have three routes: the official extension, a player that includes it, or your GPU's own driver.

Updated 6 sources cited

Key points

  • Search the Microsoft Store for "HEVC Video Extensions" ($0.99 / €0.99): it enables HEVC in Photos, Media Player, Movies & TV and Edge.
  • If your PC maker paid the licence, you already have the free device-manufacturer version.
  • Free alternative that leaves Windows alone: VLC or mpv, which bring their own decoder.
  • For iPhone HEIC photos you also need "HEIF Image Extensions" (free).

First check whether you already have it

  1. Open the Microsoft StoreType "HEVC" in the search box.
  2. Look at the buttonIf either extension (regular or "from Device Manufacturer") shows "Open" or "Installed", you're done.
  3. Or in SettingsApps › Installed apps › search for "HEVC".

Option 1: Microsoft's official extension

This makes all of Windows (Media Player, Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, Edge, Clipchamp and games using Media Foundation) understand HEVC, using your GPU's acceleration.

  1. Open the listingHEVC Video Extensions on the Microsoft Store.
  2. Buy and install$0.99 / €0.99 with a Microsoft account. Installs in seconds.
  3. Restart the playerClose and reopen the app that failed.
  4. TestHEVC video thumbnails appear in File Explorer and the video plays.

The free "from Device Manufacturer" version

There is a free listing called HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer, meant for PC makers to preinstall after paying the licence. If your PC has it, you have HEVC. Tricks circulate to install it on any PC, but that is not its intended use, Microsoft may block it in any update and in 2025 it stopped working on many PCs: we don't recommend it.

Don't download a "free HEVC codec" from unknown sites

Third-party installers promising the free extension are a common adware route. Use the Microsoft Store or an official player.

Option 2: VLC or another player (free)

If you only want to watch videos, leave Windows alone: VLC has its own HEVC decoder and uses your GPU (DXVA2 or D3D11). mpv, MPC-HC and PotPlayer are excellent too. What you won't get this way: Explorer thumbnails, or Photos and Edge opening HEVC.

For DirectShow players (MPC-HC, Zoom Player) you can install LAV Filters or K-Lite Codec Pack from their official sites. All links are in downloads.

iPhone HEIC photos

  1. HEIF Image ExtensionsFree on the Microsoft Store; teaches Windows the HEIF container.
  2. HEVC Video ExtensionsProvides the image decoder. Without it you'll see a missing-codec warning.
  3. AlternativeOn the iPhone: Settings › Photos › Transfer to Mac or PC › "Automatic", so it converts to JPEG when copying.

GPU requirements

The extension uses the GPU decoder. Without one it works in software and 4K will stutter.

GPUs with an HEVC decoder

Intel
  1. 2015 6th gen (Skylake): 8-bit
  2. 2016 7th gen (Kaby Lake): 10-bit
NVIDIA
  1. 2015 GTX 950/960: Main y Main 10
  2. 2016 GTX 10: up to 12-bit
AMD
  1. 2015 Carrizo APUs and R9 Fury: 8-bit
  2. 2016 RX 400 (Polaris): 10-bit
Before those dates HEVC can only be decoded in software (slow at 4K). Sources: NVIDIA, Intel, Wikipedia.

Update drivers from Intel, NVIDIA or AMD: many green-picture or blocky-image bugs are fixed that way.

If it still doesn't work

ProblemWhat to do
The Store errors at checkoutCheck your Microsoft account region and payment method; try later.
Installed, but the video won't openRestart the PC; repair the extension in Settings › Apps › HEVC › Advanced options › Repair.
On Windows 10 N or KNInstall the Media Feature Pack first from Settings › Optional features.
Stutters at 4KGPU without HEVC or acceleration off: watch "Video Decode" in Task Manager.
Premiere or DaVinci won't import HEVCFree DaVinci Resolve has limited HEVC support on Windows; Resolve Studio or Premiere with hardware acceleration handle it better.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Windows charge for HEVC?

Because of patent royalties. Microsoft removed the free decoder in 2017 and sells it on the Microsoft Store. Many PC makers pay the licence and preinstall it as "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer".

Does the extension open HEIC photos?

Yes. iPhone photos need two extensions: "HEIF Image Extensions" (free) and "HEVC Video Extensions", which provides the decoder.

I installed the extension and the video still won't play

Check that your GPU has an HEVC decoder (Intel 6th gen or newer, GeForce GTX 950 onwards, Radeon RX 400 or newer) and that drivers are up to date. If it is very old, use VLC, which decodes in software.

Keep reading

Sources

  1. Microsoft Store. HEVC Video Extensions
  2. Microsoft Store. HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer
  3. Wikipedia. High Efficiency Video Coding (historia, adopción y soporte)
  4. VideoLAN. VLC media player
  5. NVIDIA. Video Encode and Decode GPU Support Matrix
  6. Intel. Media capabilities supported by Intel hardware