4K & 8K Video Support
Watch ultra-high-definition videos exactly as they were meant to be seen. HEVC compression ensures beautiful visuals without the bloated file sizes.
Play H.265/HEVC videos on Windows 10 & Windows 11 with crystal-clear quality. No cost, no hassle — just one-click installation and you're ready to enjoy 4K & 8K video playback.
HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is the next-generation video compression standard that delivers stunning video quality at half the file size of older codecs like H.264.
Many modern devices — including smartphones, 4K cameras, drones, and streaming services like Netflix — record and deliver content in HEVC format. However, Windows doesn't include native support for this codec, which is where HEVC Video Extensions comes in.
HEVC delivers 50% better compression than H.264 while maintaining identical visual quality — perfect for 4K streaming and storage.
Everything you need to play high-quality H.265 videos on Windows — completely free.
Watch ultra-high-definition videos exactly as they were meant to be seen. HEVC compression ensures beautiful visuals without the bloated file sizes.
Your GPU does the heavy lifting, not your CPU. Enjoy butter-smooth playback without draining your battery or overheating.
HEVC videos take up half the storage of H.264 at the same quality. Save space and bandwidth on downloads.
Our download is 100% clean — no malware, no adware, no bundled software. Your privacy matters to us.
Fully compatible with all recent Windows versions. Works with Movies & TV, Photos, and third-party players.
Apple devices record in HEVC by default. Open iPhone and iPad videos on your PC without conversion.
No complex setup required. Download, run the installer, and you're ready to watch HEVC videos in under a minute.
No subscription, no trial period, no hidden fees. Install once and enjoy HEVC playback for life — always free.
See why HEVC is the future of video compression and streaming.
| Feature | H.264 (AVC) | HEVC (H.265) |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Efficiency | Standard | 50% Better |
| 4K Video Support | Limited | Full Support |
| 8K Video Support | ✕ No | ✓ Yes |
| File Size (Same Quality) | Larger | 50% Smaller |
| Streaming Bandwidth | Higher Required | Lower Required |
| Modern Device Recording | Older Devices | iPhones, Drones, 4K Cameras |
Get up and running in under 60 seconds with these simple steps.
Click the download button below. The small installer file (just 2.5 MB) will save to your Downloads folder automatically.
Double-click the downloaded file. If Windows asks for permission, click "Yes" to proceed with the installation.
That's it! Open any HEVC/H.265 video file and it will play automatically in your default media player.
Join millions of satisfied Windows users who play HEVC videos hassle-free.
"Finally I can watch my iPhone videos on my Windows laptop! The installation took literally 30 seconds and everything just works now. Highly recommended!"
"I was getting the 'codec not found' error on all my drone footage. This fixed it instantly. No bloatware, no ads, just a clean solution. Thank you!"
"Why does Microsoft charge $0.99 for this in their store? I'm glad I found this free version. Works perfectly on my Windows 10 PC. 4K videos play smooth as butter!"
Everything you need to know about HEVC Video Extensions.
HEVC Video Extensions (also called H.265) is a video codec that enables Windows to play High Efficiency Video Coding files. Modern devices like iPhones, drones, 4K cameras, and streaming services use HEVC because it delivers superior quality at smaller file sizes. Without this extension, Windows cannot decode these videos and you'll see error messages or black screens. Installing HEVC Video Extensions adds native support for HEVC playback in apps like Movies & TV, Windows Media Player, and other video players.
Yes, our HEVC Video Extensions download is completely free — no strings attached. While Microsoft charges $0.99 for the identical codec in their Microsoft Store, we provide the same extension at zero cost. There are no hidden fees, subscription requirements, premium tiers, or paywalls. We monetize through non-intrusive advertising on our website, which allows us to offer the codec for free while covering our operating costs.
Absolutely! HEVC Video Extensions is fully compatible with Windows 11 (all versions and updates) as well as Windows 10 (version 1709 and later). Whether you're running the latest Windows 11 24H2 update or still using Windows 10, our extension installs and functions identically. The codec integrates seamlessly with Windows' built-in video infrastructure, enabling HEVC playback system-wide.
100% safe. Our download is scanned daily with multiple antivirus engines and contains zero malware, viruses, spyware, or bundled software. The installer only adds the HEVC codec to your system — nothing else. We never collect personal data, install browser extensions, or change your system settings. Your security is our top priority, which is why millions of users trust our download.
Once installed, HEVC Video Extensions works with virtually all video players on Windows. This includes the built-in Movies & TV (Films & TV) app, Windows Media Player, the Photos app, Microsoft Edge (for web videos), VLC Media Player, PotPlayer, MPC-HC, and many others. Any application that uses Windows' Media Foundation for video decoding will automatically gain HEVC support.
Windows can play many video formats out of the box, but HEVC (H.265) is not included by default due to patent licensing costs. When you try to play an HEVC video without the codec, you'll see an error like "To play this video, you need a new codec" or the video may appear corrupted. Installing HEVC Video Extensions adds the missing decoder so Windows can properly play these modern video files.
Uninstalling is easy: Open Settings → Apps → Installed Apps (or "Apps & features" on Windows 10), search for "HEVC Video Extensions," click on it, and select "Uninstall." The codec will be completely removed from your system. There are no leftover files or registry entries to worry about.
Download HEVC Video Extensions now and unlock smooth 4K & 8K video playback on your Windows PC. It's free, fast, and safe.
Download Free — Windows 10/11