File Types for Windows Media Player
Learn about the types of files you can (and can't) play in Windows Media Player, and how to make the Player the default player on your computer.
Answers refer to Windows Media Player 10, unless otherwise noted.
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What kinds of audio files can I play in Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player can play the following types of audio files on your computer.
| Audio file format | File name extension | Description |
.asf | Audio encoded with a non-Microsoft codec (software used to decompress a file before playing it). The appropriate codec must be on your computer for the Player to play the file. For more information, see the question, "Where can I get codecs for the Player?" in the Media Advice archive. Some ASF files may also require plug-ins, which are components that add functionality to Windows Media Player 9 Series or later. You may not be able to install plug-ins in earlier versions of the Player. For more information, see the Windows Media 9 Series Plug-Ins Web page. | |
.wma | Audio encoded with a Windows Media Audio codec. Versions of the Player earlier than Windows Media Player 9 Series may require an updated Codecs Installation Package to play some WMA files. Some WMA files may also require plug-ins, which are components that add functionality to Windows Media Player 9 Series or later. You may not be able to install plug-ins in earlier versions of the Player. For more information, see the Windows Media 9 Series Plug-Ins Web page. | |
.avi | Audio encoded in a common format for storing audio and video data on a computer. The content is usually compressed with a non-Microsoft codec; the appropriate codec must be on your computer for the Player to play the file. For more information, see the question, "Where can I get codecs for the Player?" in the Media Advice archive. | |
.mp3, .mp2, .mpa | Audio encoded in a format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), an international standards group. | |
.mid, .midi, .rmi | A standard protocol for the interchange of musical information between musical instruments, synthesizers, and computers. For more information about troubleshooting MIDI playback, see the question, "Why can't I play MIDI files?" in the Media Advice archive. | |
.aif, .aifc, .aiff | Audio file format for storing high-quality sample audio and musical instrument information. | |
.au, .snd | Unix Audio (.au) files are UNIX-generated sound files. A sound (.snd) file is the file name extension of a sound file format used on Sun, NeXT, and Silicon Graphics computers. | |
.wav | Audio file format used by Windows to store sounds as waveforms. Similar to the ASF and AVI format, WAV is only a file container. Audio content that is compressed with a wide variety of codecs, and that is stored in a .wav file, can be played back in Windows Media Player if the appropriate codec is installed on the computer. | |
.cda | Audio files stored on CD media. You can only play .cda files directly from a CD-ROM; you can't play the file if you copy a .cda file from the CD-ROM to your hard disk. For more information about troubleshooting CDA playback, see the question, "Why can't I play CDA files?" in the Media Advice archive. |
For more information about the video file types that you can play in the Player, see the next question.
What kinds of video files can I play in Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player can play the following types of video files on your computer.
| Video file format | File name extension | Description |
.asf | Video encoded with a non-Microsoft codec (software used to decompress a file before playing it). The appropriate codec must be on your computer for the Player to play the file. For more information, see the question, "Where can I get codecs for the Player?" in the Media Advice archive. Some ASF files may also require plug-ins, which are components that add functionality to Windows Media Player 9 Series or later. You may not be able to install plug-ins in earlier versions of the Player. For more information, see the Windows Media 9 Series Plug-Ins Web page. | |
.wmv, .wm | Video encoded with a Windows Media Video codec. Versions of the Player before Windows Media Player 9 Series may require an updated Codecs Installation Package to play some WMV files. Some WMV files may also require plug-ins, which are components that add functionality to Windows Media Player 9 Series or later. You may not be able to install plug-ins in earlier versions of the Player. For more information, see the Windows Media 9 Series Plug-Ins Web page. | |
.avi | Video encoded in a common format for storing audio and video data on a computer. The content is usually compressed with a non-Microsoft codec; the appropriate codec must be on your computer for the Player to play the file. For more information, see the question, "Where can I get codecs for the Player?" in the Media Advice archive. | |
.dvr-ms | Video encoded in a format for storing TV content recorded by Windows XP Media Center Edition. Requires Windows XP and a Windows XP-compatible DVD decoder. | |
.mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .m1v | Video encoded in a format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), an international standards group. Windows Media Player can play files that contain video encoded in MPEG-1 format. If the file contains video encoded in MPEG-2 format, a separate MPEG-2 video decoder (also known as a DVD decoder) must be installed. | |
DVD video | .vob | Video encoded in MPEG-2 format, with additional metadata. Requires Windows XP and a Windows XP-compatible DVD decoder. |
For more information about the audio file types that you can play in the Player, see the previous question.
I can’t play a file that Windows Media Player supports. What should I do?
Most likely, a required codec isn't installed on your computer. Typically, Windows Media Player automatically downloads any required codecs from the Internet and installs them. However, this may not happen for the following reasons:
| • | The necessary codec (typically, a non-Microsoft codec) isn't available on the codec server. |
| • | You have an older version of the Player and your automatic codec-download option isn't enabled. |
| • | The Internet security settings for your browser are set too high. |
| • | You're not connected to the Internet. |
If you have an older version of the Player (prior to Windows Media Player 9 Series), you can check your codec download setting by doing the following:
1. | In Windows Media Player, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Player tab. |
2. | In the Auto upgrade area, make sure Enable automatic codec download is checked, and specify how often you want the Player to check for updates. |
You can change your Internet security settings (if you are logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group) by doing the following:
1. | In Control Panel, open Internet Options. |
2. | Click the Security tab, and then click Internet. |
3. | In the Security level for this zone area, click Default Level. |
If you can’t play the file after completing this procedure, restart your computer, and then try to play the file again.
If you still can’t play the file, try to play another file with the same file name extension. If you can play this file, then there is a problem with the file that you want to play. For more troubleshooting information, see the Windows Media Player Multimedia File Formats Web page.
Can I play this file type in Windows Media Player?
The following list shows some of the common, digital-media file types that either aren't supported by the Player, or are supported if you acquire additional software:
| • | 3GPP Multimedia. Ringtone files with .3gp file name extensions are commonly found on Windows Mobile-based devices. You can download DirectShow filters from the Internet that allow you to play ringtone files in the Player. Keep in mind, however, that some filters may introduce instability with programs or your computer in general. Make sure that the filters are from a trustworthy software provider before downloading them. |
| • | iTunes. The Player can't play iTunes music files with .aac or .m4p (protected AAC) file name extensions. The iTunes Jukebox from Apple Computer is required to play these files. |
| • | Macromedia Flash. You can play files with .swf file name extensions in the Player if you install the Macromedia Flash Player. |
| • | mp3Pro. The Player can play mp3Pro audio files; however, it currently doesn't support the Spectral Band Replication (SBR) technology that improves the sound quality of MP3 files at lower bit rates. Check the WMPlugins.com Web site to see if a plug-in becomes available. |
| • | MPEG-4. You can play files with .mp4 file name extensions in the Player if you install a DirectShow-compatible MPEG-4 decoder pack. For more information, see article 316992, "Windows Media Player multimedia file formats," in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. |
| • | Ogg Vorbis. You can play files with .ogg or .ogm file name extensions in the Player if you install DirectShow-compatible filters, which you can download from the WMPlugins.com Web site. Note that these filters only allow you to play the files using the Player; you won't be able to add them to your library. |
| • | QuickTime. The Player can't play video files with .mov or .qt file name extensions. (Note that files encoded in QuickTime version 2.0 format or earlier can be played in the Player; however, this is an older format and files encoded with this version are not readily available.) QuickTime Player from Apple Computer is required to play these files. |
| • | RealNetworks. The Player can't play files with .ra, .rm, and .ram file name extensions. RealPlayer from RealNetworks is required to play these files. |
| • | Sony Music. The Player can't play files with .oma file name extensions. Connect Player from Sony Music is required to play these files. |
How do I make Windows Media Player my default media player?
If your computer is running Windows XP and multiple media players are installed, you can choose Windows Media Player to be your default media player for all the file types that it supports by doing the following:
1. | In Control Panel, open Set Program Access and Defaults. |
2. | In the Add or Remove Programs dialog box, in the Choose a configuration box, click Custom. |
3. | In the Choose a default media player area, click Windows Media Player, and then click OK. |
If you're not running Windows XP, you must associate Windows Media Player with each desired file type. However, if you have other applications that compete for those file types, for example .mp3 or .mpg, then those applications may "take over" that file type, even after you have associated the file type with the Player. If this happens, you must delete the file type association in the other application.
If you have multiple media players installed on your computer and want Windows Media Player to be the default media player for just one file type (rather than for all file types), see the next question.
How can I make Windows Media Player my default media player for just one file type?
You can assign Windows Media Player to be the player for any file type by doing the following:
1. | In Control Panel, on the Tools menu, click Folder Options. |
2. | In Folder Options, click the File Types tab. |
3. | In Registered file types, scroll down to file name extension that you want (for example, WMA) and select it. |
4. | In the Details section for the file type (for example, Details for 'WMA') click Change. |
5. | In the Opens with dialog box, in the Programs area, select Windows Media Player, and then click OK. |
If you don't find the answer to your question in this column, be sure to check the Archive. Media Advice is not an official Microsoft Support channel. If you need immediate help for an urgent problem, we recommend that you visit Microsoft Help and Support.