How to Install and Remove Codecs and MCI Devices in Windows

This article describes how to install and remove codecs (compression/decompression) and Media Control Interface (MCI) devices in Windows.

Codecs are used to play compressed files by decompressing them in memory. Adding a specific codec lets you play files compressed in that file format. Removing and reinstalling a codec may solve problems playing a particular file type.

MCI devices are drivers that provide Windows-based programs device- independent capabilities for controlling multimedia hardware and software. Removing and reinstalling MCI devices may solve problems playing certain files.

Adding All Default Codecs

To add all the default codecs in Windows, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
2. On the Windows Setup tab, click Multimedia or Sounds and Multimedia, and then click Details.
3. Click the Audio Compression and Video Compression check boxes to select them, and then click OK.
4. Click OK.

Adding a Specific Codec or MCI Device

To add a specific codec or MCI device, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click Add New Hardware.
2. Click Next, click No, and then click Next.
3. In the Hardware Types box, click Sound, Video, And Game Controllers.
4. Click a manufacturer in the Manufacturers box and a model in the Models box, and then click Next.
   The following table lists the codecs included with Windows:

         Manufacturer             Model
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
         DSP Group                TrueSpeech Software Audio Codec
   
         Intel                    Indeo R3.1 Video Codec
                                  Indeo R3.2 Video Codec
   
         Microsoft Audio codecs   ADPCM Audio Codec
                                  CCITT G.711 A-Law and u-Law Audio Codec
                                  GSM 6.10 Audio Codec
                                  IMA ADPCM Audio Codec
   
         Microsoft Video codecs   RLE Video Codec
                                  Video 1 Video Codec
   
         SuperMatch               Cinepak Video Codec
    
   						

   NOTE: Microsoft PCM Converter is installed by default.
   
   For MCI devices, click Microsoft MCI in the Manufacturers box, click the model you want in the Models box, and then click Next.
   
   The following MCI devices are included with Windows:

         CD Audio Device
         MIDI Sequencer Device
         Motion Video Device
         PIONEER LaserDisc Device
         VISCA VCR Device
         Wave Audio Device
    
   						

   If the codec or MCI device you want to install is not listed, it was not installed by Windows. If the codec or MCI device was included with another program, reinstall the program to reinstall the codec or MCI device. If the codec or MCI device is located on a driver disk, click Have Disk and specify the location containing the files. If Windows 98 finds a codec or MCI device, click No to add the device to the list of installed devices.
   
   NOTE: Unlike the other MCI devices, the Mixer Device cannot be added manually. This device can be added only during the installation of a Windows-compatible sound card driver. When it is installing the driver, if Windows determines that the driver can support the Mixer Device, it installs the Mixer Device along with the sound card driver.
5. Click the Finish button.

Removing the Default Codecs

To remove the default codecs, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs.
2. On the Windows Setup tab, click Multimedia, and then click Details.
3. Click the Audio Compression and Video Compression check boxes to clear them, and then click OK.
4. Click OK.

The default codecs, with the exception of the Microsoft PCM converter, are removed. You cannot remove the Microsoft PCM converter.

Removing a Specific Codec or MCI Device

To remove a specific codec or MCI device, follow these steps:

1. In Control Panel, double-click Multimedia.
2. Click the Advanced or the Devices tab.
3. To remove an audio codec, double-click Audio Compression Codecs, double-click the codec you want to remove, and then click Remove.
4. To remove a video codec, double-click Video Compression Codecs, double-click the codec you want to remove, and then click Remove.
5. To remove an MCI device, double-click Media Control Devices, double- click the device you want to remove, and then click Remove.

Decompressor Error Messages

If you are looking for help with a decompressor error message, see one of the following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:

Windows Media Player Web Site

For additional information about Windows Media Player, see the following Microsoft Web-site:

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Media Player (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/faq/default.mspx)

For additional information about the file formats supported by Windows Media Player, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: