If you are stuck or need help, send an email, and I will try to help as much as possible. I hope this simple and easy Windows how-to guide helped you. How to install AV1 codec on Windows 10/11Īs you can see, it is pretty easy to install the HEVC video extension for free.The H.265/HEVC player is free to download and use to play your H.
5K Player is an authentic HEVC H.265 video player, which plays 1080P or 4K videos within the original video quality.
Related how-to articles you must check out: If you are someone who needs 8-channel Dolby Atmos support, it is better to purchase the HEVC video extension from Microsoft Store. However, one small difference is that the one you pay for in the Microsoft Store might support 8-channel Dolby Atmos whereas the free one doesn’t. Differences between paid and free HEVC video extensionsįor the most part, both paid and free HEVC video extensions are the same. This licensing arrangement allows manufacturers to include the HEVC functionality without requiring users to make an individual purchase. On the other hand, device manufacturers pay for the bulk HEVC video extension license which allows them to install it on the Windows devices they manufacture or build. That is the reason why you need to pay $0.99 for the extension. As such, Microsoft passes that royalty charge to the users. One of the main reasons why Microsoft charges for the HEVC video extension is that the makers of the HEVC charge a small royalty for installing the extension. Why does Microsoft charge for the HEVC video extension? With that, you’ve installed the HEVC video extension for free, i.e., without paying for it in the Microsoft Store. Step 5: Reboot your computer to apply the changes. This action will download and install the free HEVC video extension. Step 4: Click/tap the “ Install” button in the Store app. Step 3: Click the “ Open Microsoft Store app” button in the new prompt. Here, click the “ Get in Store app” button. Step 2: This will take you to the “ HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer” store page. Step 1: Copy the URL below, paste it into your browser’s address bar, and press the “ Enter” button on your keyboard. We can use the same link to download and install the HEVC video extension for free.įollow the below steps to download the HEVC video extension for free: As such, they use a special Microsoft Store link to install the extension. While regular users have to pay to install the extension, device manufacturers don’t need to because they already have a pre-paid license to install the extension on PCs or laptops they manufacture or build. Download the HEVC video extension for free This article shows you how to download the official HEVC video extension for free from the Microsoft Store. But fear not, there’s a clever workaround that allows you to download the same extension completely free of charge. Not to mention that its successor, H.266 Versatile Video Coding (VVC) is in development too.įor more on VVC (and how it’s different from HEVC), check out this video from the International Telecommunication Union.However, there’s one catch when it comes to playing HEVC video files on Windows 10 or 11 devices – you typically need to purchase the official HEVC video extension for $0.99. HEVC is also contending with its predecessor AVC, which remains the most widely used video coding format in the world. The first, and arguably most important, is that many manufacturers have turned to the Alliance for Open Media developed AV1 codec because they don’t want to pay for HEVC licensing fees.
HEVC Codec may never become the main codec for video compression because there are several obstacles in its way. HEVC Video Codec Explained Will HEVC become the main codec? But if things do work as intended, you should notice the effects of high efficiency video coding.
There are also various software bugs and OS compatibility issues that may cause things to go haywire. HEVC requires somewhat modern hardware, so as to say laptops from 2010 probably won’t cut it. Warning: although both of these options should allow you to playback HEVC video, they may not always do so.