What is WMV (Windows Media Video)? Complete Guide to WMV Files

Year2000

TypeVideo

UsageWindows video playback

What is it?

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 While still supported on Windows, it has largely been replaced by MP4 for most uses.

Technical Specifications

Created ByMicrosoft

Codec FamilyVC-1 / Windows Media Video 7/8/9

ContainerASF (Advanced Systems Format)

DRMWindows Media DRM supported

StatusLegacy but still supported on Windows

Extension.wmv

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Windows Native

WMV plays on all Windows versions natively without additional codecs.

DRM Support

WMV supports digital rights management for protected video content.

Good Compression

WMV 9 (VC-1) provides competitive compression quality.

Xbox Compatible

WMV is natively supported by Xbox consoles for media playback.

Disadvantages

Limited Non-Windows Support

WMV has poor support on macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Proprietary Format

WMV is Microsoft's proprietary format with licensing implications.

Not Web Standard

Web browsers do not natively support WMV without plugins.

Declining Use

WMV is rarely used for new video content - MP4 is universally preferred.

When to Use It

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.