What is WMV (Windows Media Video)?
Complete guide to the WMV file format
Last updated:
What is WMV (Windows Media Video)?
WMV (Windows Media Video) is Microsoft's proprietary video codec and format, part of the Windows Media framework. It was widely used for Windows Media Player content and early internet video.
WMV was Microsoft's attempt to compete with DivX and RealMedia in the early internet video era. While still supported on Windows, it has largely been replaced by MP4 for most uses.
How WMV Works
The name WMV refers both to a family of video codecs and to the files that carry them, which are almost always wrapped in Microsoft's Advanced Systems Format (ASF) container.[2] ASF is an extensible, object-based container designed for streaming, organizing content into a header object, a data object, and optional index objects.[3] WMV 9, the most common variant, was later standardized externally as SMPTE 421M, better known as VC-1.[1]
History and Standardization
WMV originated from Microsoft's implementation of an early MPEG-4 Part 2 draft and evolved through several proprietary versions during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[4] While the ASF container and WMV codecs remained Microsoft-controlled, the underlying VC-1 video technology was submitted to SMPTE and ratified as an open standard in 2006, and it became one of the mandatory codecs for HD DVD and Blu-ray.[1] The format's tight coupling to Windows Media infrastructure contributed to its decline as cross-platform H.264/MP4 delivery became dominant.[2]
Technical Details
WMV vs Other Video Formats
| Feature | WMV | MP4 | MKV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Codec (in ASF)[3] | Container | Container |
| Codec(s) | Windows Media Video[1] | H.264, HEVC, AV1 | Nearly any |
| Container | ASF[3] | ISO base media | Matroska |
| Standardized by | Microsoft[2] | ISO/IEC | Open community |
| Device/browser support | Windows-centric | Universal | Players, limited web |
| Best for | Windows playback | Modern streaming | Flexible archiving |
WMV is Microsoft's codec carried in ASF; MP4 and MKV offer broader cross-platform support.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
WMV plays on all Windows versions natively without additional codecs.
WMV supports digital rights management for protected video content.
WMV 9 (VC-1) provides competitive compression quality.
WMV is natively supported by Xbox consoles for media playback.
Disadvantages
WMV has poor support on macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
WMV is Microsoft's proprietary format with licensing implications.
Web browsers do not natively support WMV without plugins.
WMV is rarely used for new video content - MP4 is universally preferred.
When to Use WMV (Windows Media Video)
Here are the most common situations where WMV (Windows Media Video) is the right choice:
Legacy Windows Video
WMV is common in old Windows Media Player content and video libraries from the 2000s.
Windows Presentations
Some older Windows-based corporate presentations use WMV.
Xbox Media Playback
WMV is supported on Xbox for playing recorded video content.
Windows DRM Content
Some older purchased video content from Microsoft stores used WMV with DRM.
Convert WMV (Windows Media Video) Files
Need to convert your WMV files? Use our free online converter.
Try Video Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions about WMV (Windows Media Video)
Can I play WMV on Mac?
macOS does not natively support WMV. Use VLC or install Windows Media Components for QuickTime.
How do I convert WMV to MP4?
Use our free online converter or VLC media player to convert WMV to MP4.
Is WMV still used?
WMV is still used on Windows but is rarely created for new content. MP4 has replaced WMV in most use cases.
Can I play WMV on iPhone?
iOS does not support WMV natively. Convert to MP4 or use VLC for iOS to play WMV files.
What is the difference between WMV and AVI?
Both are Windows video containers. WMV uses Microsoft's VC-1 codec; AVI can use many different codecs.