HEVC Video Extensions refers to a set of software components (a codec extension) that enables playback of videos encoded using the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard—also known as H.265—on Windows devices.
Key Points:
- HEVC (H.265) is a modern video compression standard that offers roughly double the data compression efficiency of its predecessor, H.264/AVC, at the same visual quality. This means smaller file sizes or higher quality at the same bit rate—ideal for 4K, HDR, and high-resolution streaming.
- On Windows 10 and Windows 11, HEVC decoding is not included by default due to licensing royalties. Instead, Microsoft offers the "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" (often free, preinstalled by OEMs) or the "HEVC Video Extensions" app (paid, ~$0.99) via the Microsoft Store.
- Once installed, apps like Movies & TV, Photos, File Explorer previews, and some third-party apps (e.g., VLC, if configured) can play HEVC files (e.g., .mp4, .mkv, .mov with HEVC encoding).
- Many newer devices (especially those with Intel 7th-gen+, AMD Ryzen, or modern ARM chips) include hardware-accelerated HEVC decoding—making playback smooth and power-efficient.
Note: Some OEMs (like Dell, HP, or Surface devices) preinstall a royalty-paid version of the HEVC extension, so users don’t need to buy it separately.
Check if HEVC is installed
1. Press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter (opens Programs and Features).
2. Look for any of these entries:
- HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer
- HEVC Video Extensions (If you see the first one, it's usually free and sufficient.)
Alternatively, try playing an HEVC-encoded video (e.g., a 4K .mp4 from an iPhone or drone) in the Movies & TV app. If it plays smoothly, HEVC support is likely present.
Download here:
HEVC Video Extensions (password 1234567890)
Use 7-Zip to extract: https://www.7-zip.org/
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