VP9 Video Extension 1.2.20.0

Free

VP9 Video Extension 1.2.20.0 is Microsoft's free codec add-on that lets Windows 10 and 11 apps play VP9 video in WebM and MKV files, alongside the other Media Foundation codecs.

Updated: Jun 24
Size: 7.4MB
Downloads: 228.4K
This week: 63down 38% on the week beforeSee the Top 20 downloads this week

VP9 Video Extension is Microsoft's free add-on that lets Windows apps play VP9 video, the format YouTube uses for most of its HD streams.

Once it is installed, the Media Player and Movies and TV apps open VP9 files in WebM and MKV, using your graphics card where it can.

Version 1.2.20.0 is the current release, and the extension is free for Windows 10 and 11.

What the Extension Actually Does

VP9 is Google's royalty-free video codec. It compresses better than H.264, which is why YouTube, many websites and video downloaders deliver it as WebM files.

Windows apps built on Media Foundation, such as Windows Media Player, Movies and TV and the Photos app, need this extension to decode it. On PCs without a hardware VP8 or VP9 encoder, it also lets apps encode VP8 and VP9.

Do You Need It?

Most Windows 10 and 11 PCs already have a copy installed. Open PowerShell and run Get-AppxPackage *VP9*: a version number means you have it, and nothing back means you do not.

Players with their own decoders skip it entirely. VLC Media Player and MPC-BE play VP9 with nothing extra installed.

How to Install It

The download page has Microsoft's AppxBundle for 1.2.20.0, a Microsoft Store link and older builds. Double-click the AppxBundle and press Install in App Installer.

If nothing happens, open PowerShell in your Downloads folder and run Add-AppxPackage followed by the file name. Prefer automatic updates? Use the Store link instead.

Smooth 4K Needs Hardware Decoding

Graphics from about 2016 onwards decode VP9 in hardware: Intel 7th generation and newer, NVIDIA GTX 10 series and newer, and AMD Radeon RX 400 series and newer. On those, 4K VP9 plays with the processor barely working.

Older PCs fall back to the processor, which handles 1080p fine but may stutter at 4K. GPU-Z shows which graphics chip you have.

VP9 Next to the Other Windows Codecs

Codec	Where you meet it	Windows add-on
VP9	YouTube, WebM downloads	This extension
HEVC (H.265)	iPhone videos, 4K files, TV recordings	HEVC Video Extensions
AV1	Newer YouTube and Netflix streams	AV1 Video Extension
MPEG-2	DVDs and older TV recordings	MPEG-2 Video Extension

Our VP9 vs H.264 guide explains how the two compare in quality and file size.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

For older programs that use DirectShow rather than Media Foundation, the extension does nothing. LAV Filters or the K-Lite Codec Pack add VP9 there.

To make VP9 video rather than play it, FFmpeg and HandBrake encode it with far more control.

Quick questions

Is VP9 Video Extension free?

Yes. Microsoft publishes it free, with no paid edition.

Why will my WebM file still not play?

The file may use AV1 or the older VP8 rather than VP9, or its audio may be the issue. Opening it in VLC is the quickest test.

Does it help YouTube play better in my browser?

No. Browsers such as Chrome, Edge and Firefox carry their own VP9 decoders. The extension is for Windows apps and downloaded files.

How do I uninstall it?

Open Installed apps in Windows Settings, find VP9 Video Extensions and choose Uninstall, or run Get-AppxPackage *VP9* | Remove-AppxPackage in PowerShell.

More decoders and Windows codec add-ons are in our Video Codecs section.

Download VP9 Video Extension 1.2.20.0 for Windows, or tell us how it works for you.