How to Download and Install HEVC Support on Windows

Before you start

HEVC, also called H.265, is a video compression format used by some cameras, phones, and screen recorders. Windows includes a Microsoft extension that can add codec support, but it may not be preinstalled on every edition or build. Check which Windows edition you have because the installation path can differ between Windows 10 and Windows 11. This procedure runs locally through the Microsoft Store; it does not require a separate service or media converter.

Step-by-step instructions

Open the Microsoft Store app from the Start menu. Search for HEVC Video Extensions, but be aware that the store may show more than one similarly named item. The official extension is published as HEVC Video Extensions, while a lower-cost variant called HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer may appear only on devices that qualify for it.

Select the intended extension page and choose the install or buy action shown there. The button label can vary depending on whether the extension is already installed, available for your account, or priced in your region. After installation, close and reopen any media application that was already running so it can detect the newly added codec.

For supported apps such as the built-in Movies and TV or Media Player, the codec should then be available without opening a separate installer. If you use a third-party player, check whether it uses Windows codecs or includes its own decoding support. Players with their own HEVC decoder may ignore the Microsoft Store extension.

If the store search does not return the exact page, open the Microsoft Store app manually and use the search field with the phrase HEVC. Avoid downloading codec packs from unofficial sources as a first step because they can introduce unknown software or conflict with existing system components.

Check the output

Open a known HEVC file in the app you plan to use. A working installation shows video and audio through the normal playback controls. If the file opens but shows a black picture, a media player error, or an audio-only result, the extension may not be active or the file may use another unsupported format.

Check the file properties when possible. Some camera files use an HEVC container that also carries high-bit-depth or HDR settings, and older Windows builds may still struggle even after the base codec is installed. Windows Media Player may need the file association or the Media Feature Pack depending on the edition, so test playback in the built-in Movies and TV app as a comparison.

Common problems and next steps

The Microsoft Store may not show the extension if your Windows edition uses an N variant without the Media Feature Pack. In that case, add the Media Feature Pack through the optional features area, then return to the store and try again.

If the extension is installed but the checker tool in Settings lists it as missing, sign out and back into the Microsoft Store, or restart Windows once. Store licensing can take a moment to register. If the file still will not play, confirm that it is actually an H.265 file rather than an AV1 or raw camera format with a similar symptom.

For a quick test without changing system settings, use a standalone media player that is documented as supporting HEVC locally. This can identify whether the problem is the Windows codec registration or the file itself. Keep the installed codec as the reversible change; removing or reinstalling it from the same store page can also correct a broken installation.