Codec packs add additional codec support to Windows. Apps like Media Player will then be able to play media files encoded in these formats. The following codecs packs are available: MPEG-2 Video Extension. Adds support for the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video formats.

Additionally, you can stream audio and video content with Windows Media Services, or you can package that content with Windows Media Rights Manager. ASF is an extensible file format that stores synchronized multimedia data.

To play the file, you must encode the file again by using the original source in a supported format, such as the .wmv format. To do this, you can use the Windows Media Encoder. For additional information, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then click Windows Media Encoder in the Select Download list:

Windows Media Player supports the following file formats: Note MPEG 2 requires third-party software or hardware decoders. Note DVD playback requires third-party software or hardware decoders and is supported only in Windows XP. Note Intel Video File support requires the Intel Video 5.x codec.

Windows Media Player includes some of the most popular codecs, like MP3, Windows Media Audio, and Windows Media Video. However, it doesn't include the codecs required for Blu‑ray Disc files, FLAC files, or FLV files.

When you try to play a file that uses a codec that is not installed on your computer, the Windows Media Player tries to download the codec from a Microsoft server. If the codec is available, the Windows Media Player installs it on your computer and then plays the file.

Plug-ins or add-ons add functionality—such as audio effects or DVD capability—to Windows Media Player. You can download plug-ins or add-ons for your version of the Player using the links below. Some editions of Windows include full-featured DVD playback capability in Windows Media Player.

You can watch videos on the Internet (such as the library of ARD or ZDF) by using Windows Media Player, you might need a small browser add-on program for it. To do this, follow these steps: more in the following parts of this series. 1. Click Start. 2. Type Media Player in the seach box. 3. Click Windows Media Player in the Programs list. 4 ...

If you're getting an error message that says an additional plug-in is required to play back Windows Media in your presentation, you likely need to download a plug-in like Flip4Mac or Switch before you can play some Windows Media files. Read this page to see which plug-in supports your version of Mac OS X.

Get downloads, help, customizations, and more. *Not available in all countries and regions. Learn about Windows Media Player and other Windows Media technologies.