Plus why you might need it
How to Install and Enable HEVC on Windows 11
If you have tried to open a video file encoded with HEVC codec on your Windows 11 system, you might have noticed a pop-up window informing you about the missing HEVC codec. These are usually videos recorded using iPhone, DJI, or GoPro devices. You will receive the missing codec message if you try to use any of the built-in Windows video players because Windows 11 does not have the native ability to open HEVC videos. You will need to manually download and install this video extension on your desktop PC or laptop.
In early 2023, Microsoft will remove the free HEVC codec from their store. However, the price will be only $0.99. But if you don’t want to buy this codec, don’t worry, there are other ways to play HEVC videos. You can get the codec for free from unofficial sources (but we don’t recommend it) or use a third-party video player with the HEVC codec pre-installed, such as the VLC player.
Also check out our guide on opening HEIC files on Windows for more information about Windows and image formats.
