How Do I Get Windows Media Player 11 to Recognize MP4 Format?

To play non-native formats in WMP, you'll need a codec pack.

Microsoft's Windows Media Player 11 is a powerful media player capable of playing a multitude of media files such as MP3, WAV and WMV. For Windows Media Player to play a media file, it requires a small software application called a codec. According to Microsoft, a codec is "used to compress or decompress a digital media file such as a song or video. Windows Media Player and other programs use codecs to play and create digital media files." The MP4 media file format was designed by Apple Inc. for the Apple QuickTime Player. Because the MP4 format is not a native Windows media file format, it requires a codec for the MP4 media file. Microsoft does not supply the codec for the audio and video components in the MP4 format. You must download a codec pack that supplies the codecs.

Instructions

Download a Codec Pack

1. Look for the codec pack download on CNET's Download.com site. Download the codec pack by clicking the link "Download Now."

2. Choose "Save" or "Save File" in the download dialogue window. Take note of the location where it will download (such as, on the Desktop or in Documents). Wait for the pack to download.

3. Go to the file you just downloaded. Double-click the icon to install the pack.

4. Follow the instructions in the Installation Wizard.

5. After the installation, reboot your computer.

6. Open Windows Media Player and play the MP4 file.

Tips & Warnings

• Codecs written for 32-bit operating systems require 32-bit codecs; 64-bit operating systems require 64-bit codecs. Most codec vendors specify the bit information. If a codec is not labeled as one or the other, it is most likely an older 32-bit codec.

• Do not download codecs from untrusted sites.

References

• Microsoft: Codecs: Frequently Asked Questions
• Apple: QuickTime: MPEG-4
• FourCC: Video Codecs and Pixel Formats

Resources

• CNET Download.com: Windows Essentials Media Codec Pack 2.3d