Media Foundation Codecs 2025-07-29

DOWNLOAD Media Foundation Codecs

Encountering "This item was encoded in a format that's not supported" errors when trying to play videos on Windows? 

You need Media Foundation Codecs - the essential collection of free video and audio extensions that restore full media playback functionality to your Windows 10 or 11 system.

Why You Need Media Foundation Codecs

Microsoft Media Foundation Codecs contains four possible missing codecs that cause the "This item was encoded in a format that's not supported" that appears primarily in the Movies & TV App when playing videos. 

These codecs were once included free with Windows but are now missing or require separate installation.

What's Included:

• HEVC Video Extension - Plays H.265/HEVC videos with hardware acceleration. Free Version is available via an alternative download method (see this guide: How to Download HEVC Video Extension for Free).
• VP9 Video Extension - Supports VP9 format used by YouTube and other platforms.
• AV1 Video Extension - Modern efficient codec for 4K streaming.
• Web Media Extensions - Supports Ogg, Vorbis, and Theora formats.
• HEIF Image Extensions - Supports HEIF and HEIC image formats.
• MPEG-2 Video Extension
• WebP Image Extensions
• Raw Image Extensions
• AVC Encoder Video Extension
• JPEG XL Image Extension

Instant Solution for Common Problems:

✓ Fixes error code 0xc00d5212 in Movies & TV app.
✓ Enables 4K video playback without purchasing Microsoft's paid versions.
✓ Restores codec functionality removed from Windows N editions.
✓ Compatible with Windows Media Player and other Media Foundation apps.

How It Works:

Media Foundation is the cornerstone of seamless media playback across a spectrum of Windows operating systems.

These codec extensions integrate directly with Windows' media pipeline, enabling your existing media players to handle previously unsupported video formats automatically.

System Requirements:

Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Modern GPU with hardware decoding support (recommended for HEVC).
Administrative privileges for installation.

Installation Instructions:

Download the Media Foundation Codecs package.
Run the installer as administrator.
Restart Windows to complete codec registration.
Test playback in Movies & TV app or Windows Media Player.

Get Media Foundation Codecs Now

Alternative Options:

If you need comprehensive codec support, consider K-Lite Codec Pack as an alternative solution that includes these Media Foundation codecs plus additional DirectShow filters for maximum compatibility.

Key Consideration for HEVC Codec

The HEVC codec is the only one with a paid option, but you can access the free version if you meet the hardware requirements. This includes having a GPU that supports HEVC hardware decoding, which ensures smooth video playback and editing.

Troubleshooting:

Having issues after installation?

Ensure you've restarted Windows completely and that your GPU drivers are up to date for optimal hardware acceleration support.