how do i play wmv files in windows vista

adamski100 · 29th October 2008

i have windows vista but my windows media player wont play wmv files.
what do i do

**mattman** · 30th October 2008

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

See if any of these are relevant:
http://support.microsoft.com/search/...id=7763&range=

hawk22 · 30th October 2008

Hi adamski, you are using WMP 11 I assume, did you install any codecs, missing codecs is the most common problem in WMV not working.
have a read here
http://www.tech-faq.com/play-wmv-files.shtml
hawk22

**mattman** · 31st October 2008

Hi Hawk,

From that link:

Quote:

Since Microsoft developed the WMV file, your operating system should have Window's Media Player (WMP) already loaded. WMP already has the codec required to view video and audio files. It should be noted that if your computer is a few years old, you may want to upgrade to the current version of WMP, which is currently free and easy to use. Just visit the following link:Windows Media Player Download

To play your WMV file simply launch your Windows Media Player and choose the WMV file you wish to play. It is that easy.

I would expect it to be able to play it's own files

If another media player has been installed, maybe that has corrupted the file associations. Maybe check "Change the program that opens a type of file" in Help and Support.

Matt

hawk22 · 31st October 2008

Hi Matt, you are absolutely right they should.
Still worth a shot updating codecs. Going by this article:
What is WMV?

Before you play WMV files, you should know a little more about this format. WMV stands for Windows Media Video and was developed by Microsoft specifically for internet streaming. However, you can view WMV files from a hard drive or other media. The current version of WMV is WMV9. It should be noted that in order to play a WMV file you will need to have a codec. A codec is software that can easily read a file format and create video images and audio from the data provided. While WMV requires a codec, the good news is that this codec is extremely easy to come by and usually free.
I would download and install VLC and see what happens there.
hawk22

**mattman** · 31st October 2008

Updating the CODECs? Maybe backdating the CODECs?

No slur on your information Hawk. WMP should(?) be able to play .wmv files...

In my link, there was reference to High Definition and multiple video streams.

The question seems to be why it won't play it's own files.

Matt

dale456654 · 31st October 2008

Try this:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/