HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer 2.5.28.0

If a video opens as sound with no picture, or Windows throws a "codec not supported" error, the file is almost always HEVC (also called H.265), the format most phones and cameras now use to record 4K while keeping file sizes small.

HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer is the free, official Microsoft add-on that teaches Windows 10 and Windows 11 to play those files everywhere: in the Photos app, Windows Media Player, and the apps you already use.

Get the free HEVC Video Extensions

Windows 10 Users: Choose Version 2.4.95.0

One quick thing to check before you install. The newest builds at the top of the download list are made for Windows 11.

If you are still on Windows 10, scroll down the list above to version 2.4.95.0 instead. It is the last release that supports Windows 10, and it installs and plays HEVC exactly the same way.

If you get stuck, our step-by-step guide on how to download the HEVC extension for free walks through every click.

What Are HEVC Video Extensions?

HEVC Video Extensions let your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer play High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC / H.265) videos natively, without installing a separate media player or codec pack.

This is the package that clears up the "codec not supported" message you see when you try to open a modern video file.

Microsoft actually lists two versions of this codec. The standard HEVC Video Extension carries a small charge in the Microsoft Store, while this "from Device Manufacturer" edition is the same codec offered free, the one PC makers are meant to bundle with new machines. It does the identical job at no cost.

Why You Need This Extension

Windows does not include HEVC decoding out of the box, so without this add-on, HEVC files misbehave in frustrating ways. Videos open with audio only or throw an error, some media players freeze when they hit an HEVC file, and 4K or HDR clips straight off a phone or camera simply will not open.

The device manufacturer extension fixes all of that by plugging HEVC support directly into Windows, so your existing apps just play the files.

What You Get After Installing

Once it is in, HEVC videos play right away in Windows Media Player, the Photos app, and other built-in Windows apps, with no extra software to open.

Because it hooks into your device's built-in video acceleration, playback stays smooth and battery drain stays low on laptops. It is an official, Microsoft-signed package, and it works across all your Windows apps automatically, system-wide, the moment it is installed.

Prefer to keep a full player on hand as well? VLC Media Player and PotPlayer both play HEVC on their own, and the K-Lite Codec Pack bundles broad format support in one installer. For a full rundown, see our guide to the best HEVC video players.

How to Install HEVC Extensions

1. In the download list above, click the current build for Windows 11, or version 2.4.95.0 if you are on Windows 10.
2. Run the file to install the extension.
3. Restart your computer so Windows picks up the new codec.
4. Open any HEVC video to check that it plays.

The whole thing takes about two minutes and switches on HEVC support across your whole system. If a file still refuses to play afterwards, our HEVC troubleshooting guide covers the usual culprits, and you can always fall back on the online HEVC player to check a clip straight in your browser.

System Requirements

• Windows 11 (any version) for the current build, or Windows 10 version 1709 and later using version 2.4.95.0.
• A 64-bit processor.
• About 100 MB of free storage.

If you mostly play HEVC files rather than edit them, a standalone player like Media Player Classic or KMPlayer is another route that needs no system codec at all. You can browse the full Video Codecs category for more.

Download HEVC Video Extensions free - Windows 10 and 11, no Microsoft Store payment required.