Video Codecs for Windows 10: Best Codec Packs in 2024
Install all Windows 10 video codecs in one go: VLC, K-Lite, Windows Media Player codec pack & more 🎯
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Key notes
- Playing videos can sometimes be difficult if you lack the appropriate codecs.
- How do I install video codecs on Windows 10? Wonder no more as we listed the best media codec players for you to download all codecs.
- But, what video codecs does Windows 10 support? With the right tools, it can be anything from 4K to HDR, HEVC & more.
The best video codec packs for Windows 10 can help users effectively resolve unsupported video-playing file format issues. The Windows 10 Media Player supports a wide variety of multimedia file formats including MP3, MP4, WMV, AVI, etc.
However, there is a wide array of audio and video file formats in the market currently. Therefore, all file formats might not work effectively with all media players for Windows 10.
To resolve these issues, users definitely require the best video codec pack for compression, be it for Android, After Effect, QuickTime, or Plex.
Others include Windows 10 video codec pack for PowerPoint, Adobe Premiere, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, MP4, editing, streaming, HEVC (H.265) encoding, etc.
Does Windows 10 need video codecs?
A codec makes it possible to process audio-visual signals through encoding and decoding digital data streams. Consequently, Windows 10 definitely required a codec pack for the job.
It could either be an application or a device pack that helps interpret different media file formats.
Here’s a quick preview of our top choices to download the best codec pack:
| 1️⃣ WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe | The most versatile media player codec pack |
| CyberLink PowerDVD | Download video codecs for Windows 10 64-bit & 32-bit |
| 🎯 GOM Player | Top-notch MP4 codecs for Windows 10 & more |
| VLC Media Player | The ultimate open-source player to stream codec packs |
| 📌 K-Lite Video Codec Packs for Windows 10 | Best codec pack with regular updates |
| 🏆 Media Player Video Codec Packs for Windows 10 | 4K audio and video streaming |
Now, Windows 10 does not include the latest video codec packs by default and you’ll need to download and install them yourself in order to render all kinds of videos, fix file format issues and overall improve your user experience,
Due to the large volume of codec packs available out there, just settling for any video codec could result in malware, adware, and other harmful virus or infectious files.
This article, therefore, presents users with the top 6 media codec players to download the latest video codecs and codec packs for Windows 10, both 32 and 64-bit systems.
What are the best video codec packs for Windows 10?
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe – Most versatile media player codec pack
Although not a code pack, but rather an extremely versatile media player, WinX HD Video Converter is the king on our list.
With over 90 million users in the past 10 years, we can easily understand how this software has gained popularity.
The tool converts and processes media in any possible format, including hevc, h.264, mp4, mkv, avi, wmv, m2ts, avchd, and in whatever resolution or codec.
Besides, you can import, edit, store, share, or just play your media from a multitude of devices including action cams, drones, surveillance cams, or camcorders.
Thanks to the impressive Level-3 hardware acceleration technology, video transcoding speed spikes considerably without compromising the image quality.
The same technology is used to reduce any file size by up to 90%, with no impact on the video quality, only to make your media sharable.
WinX HD Video Converter
The most powerful video converter to edit any 4k media file and play it in Windows 10.CyberLink PowerDVD – Download video codecs for Windows 10 64 & 32-bit
Coming second on our list is not a codec pack per se, but rather a video player that can pretty much support all user-grade video formats.
Given that you would only need a codec pack because you have a video that you cannot run, having a video player that can run anything is simply the better option.
Of course, Cyberlink Power DVD isn’t just your typical DVD or Blu-Ray player, it is an entire multimedia suite, allowing you to manage your entire collection of videos, music, and photos all from within one single menu.
More so, you can sync your content, allowing you to enjoy and share movies, TV shows, and photos anywhere, on any device.
Here are some of the perks of using CyberLink Power DVD:
- Allows you to enjoy multimedia content on any device
- Incredible audio and video quality enhancements
- Full control over your videos, music, and photos
- Gain access to the CyberLink cloud
- Easy multimedia file sharing
CyberLink Power DVD
This singular program is an entire multimedia suite that will boost entertainment.GOM Player – Top-notch MP4 codecs for Windows 10 & more
The next entry on our list follows the same trend, with GOM Player being a very reliable video player that can support pretty much all standard user-grade video formats.
However, even if it does manage to run into a file that it cannot open, it will immediately scan it and download the appropriate codecs anyway, as a form of self-improvement.
As for the video-playing part, GOM Player is incredibly lightweight and fast, and you won’t feel any strain on your PC, even when running high-definition formats such as Blu-ray or 4K content.
More so, it too features plenty of video-enhancement tools, the ability to switch audio, subs, and more.
Here are some of the perks of using GOM Player:
- Support for different formats like AVI, MP4, MKV, FLV, WMV, or MOV
- Offers automatic subtitles from classic to newly released movies
- Access to 360° VR experiences
- Build-in codecs included
- No ad playback on the Pro version
- Priority for technical support
GOM Player
Use this self-updating video player to watch any video you want without worrying about missing codecs.VLC Media Player – The ultimate open-source player to stream codec packs
VLC Media player is developed by Video LAN. The Media player is an excellent application that’s best suitable for viewing videos working with different file formats.
Users enjoy a free but open-source software multimedia player and framework playing audio, video CD, and DVD files across different streaming protocols.
VLC works perfectly with a wide variety of codecs even without the need for codec packs. Such formats include DivX, WebM, MP3, H.264, MKV, MPEG-2, etc. Some other great reason to give VLC Media Player a shot is that it comes entirely free to download.
As of September 2018, VLC Media Player has been downloaded 8.2 million times to show its popularity. The regular updating of VLC has helped to take care of issues with bugs and crashes.
As a universal media player, it’s possible to have VLC as the only media player on the user system. Though, programmers could develop other add-ons and extensions for attachment on VLC. These and more make VLC Media Player one of the best video codec packs for Windows 10.
K-Lite Video Codecs for Windows 10 – Best codec pack with regular updates
When searching for the best video codec pack for Windows 10 available in the market today K-Lite does offer the most popular and exceptional pack.
It is a virus-free application that plays almost any file format using a direct show filter.
The K-Lite codec pack developers regularly update the application to give users the best experience. It comes easily to install with an interesting graphic user interface and with over 1 million downloads.
K-Lite comes in four different packages:
- Basic pack: It contains the essential tools for playing video codec files.
- Standard pack: K-Lite standard pack offers the best pick for a regular user. It, however, has additional features for playing video formats not found in the basic pack.
- Full pack: The full pack is richer with bigger and better features for users such as filters and other tools.
- Mega Pack: K-Lite is the must-have package for heavy users seeking to have all available options. It allows one to encode video and audio files.
Media Player Codec Pack for Windows 10 – 4K audio and video streaming
The Media Player video codec pack is also another very helpful video codec pack for intermediate/ average and heavy users. If you want to get the Windows 10 codec pack from Microsoft itself, here’s your best shot: get the latest Windows Media Player codecs for Windows 10.
The Media player codec supports any file type or compression for audio and video files. It can support up to 4K audio and video streaming.
Media Player codec comes in two packages: easy installation and expert installation. The easy installation gives users the basic package while expert installation contains advanced features for heavy users.
Media Player codec pack offers the best video format and size for Real, VLC, DVDs, MP4, Xvid, etc. That again makes it an option for the best video codec packs for Windows 10.
❓How to check video codecs on Windows 10
- Start Windows Media Player.
- Press the Alt + H shortcut to open the Help menu and select About Windows Media Player.
- Now click on Technical Support Information.
- Scroll down to find all the audio and video codecs installed on your system.
If you have other players than the WMP, you can, of course, follow the instructions – and they shouldn’t be much different – to identify your codecs.
You may need to inspect the K-Lite codec pack or the VLC codec pack if you’re running any of these options.
Now, a list of the best video codec packs for Windows 10 cannot be exhausted in a single article.
Nevertheless, one thing remains critical when trying to pick the best free video codec pack. Namely, the user needs to consider what they expect from such software.
Even so, the above-listed video codec packs arguably make the top of the ranks and are suitable for a wide variety of file formats. Enjoy a pleasant streaming, music, or video-playing experience!
