![]() ![]() I don't know why Microsoft is charging the 99 cents but I am pretty sure it is because they compiled in a software HEVC codec in their app, and if for whatever reason Edge can't use the hardware codec in the CPU it switches to the software codec. One warning about using distributions like this is since you don't know who compiled them they might have spyware embedded in them so be careful. There is currently one such distribution active in an overseas location you can search for if you want to avoid the 99 cent fee and you have a CPU that is pre-Kaby Lake. A few people have done this and put up distributions for a while until they either lost interest or MPEG-LA filed takedown requests. Because the source of Chrome is open source, located at it is possible to build this along with one of the open source codecs and create a version of Chrome that supports H.265 regardless of whether or not the CPU has a hardware codec in it. There are multiple open source H.265 software codecs available but according to the convoluted licensing on the HEVC patent, anyone building a working codec from those free sources is liable for patent royalties. However, I have not found this to be true under Windows 10. SUPPOSEDLY the latest version of Chrome will also play H.265/HEVC videos IF the CPU has a hardware codec for HEVC, without having to buy this app. This does in fact work with the latest version of Edge to play H.265 videos. This app SUPPOSEDLY will use a hardware decoder in the CPU if one is present, and if one is NOT present then it WILL decode using a software decoder that runs as a process in Windows. The OTHER codec is "HEVC Video Extensions" This is a PAID app that costs 99 cents. It is NOT a license fee issue because the license fee for the HEVC codec would have already been paid by the CPU maker. I do not know if this is because they intended to break its compatibility with Edge or for some other reason. They finally removed all references to it from the Store. However, Microsoft discovered that people could install this on any computer regardless of the CPU by going to the Store. ![]() This app USED to be visible in the Microsoft Store. Only Media Player/Windows Media Player still can use it. However, it APPEARS that the latest versions of Edge - 1.56 as of this writing - are unable to use this codec. SUPPOSEDLY it also allowed for playing HEVC videos - such as 4k videos from Netflix - in the Edge web browser. The reason it was free is because - allegedly - it ONLY worked with CPU's that had the H.265/HEVC hardware codec in the CPU itself. It allows for playing of H.265 videos in Windows Media Player. If you have that on your system, then Windows Updates will automatically keep it updated to the latest version - as of this writing it's 1.0 It was included in some of the older earlier Windows 10/Windows 11 builds and installed automatically when those builds were installed on a new system that - apparently - had an Intel Kaby Lake or later CPU. The Device Manufacturer one is the original one. One is 'HEVC Video Extensions' and the other is 'HEVC from Device Manufacturer.' In a new browser tab, type in ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhqĬlick on Open Microsoft Store when prompted.Īnother option is to open the Microsoft Store link from the Command Prompt by typing in start ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhqįor a multimedia player with the codecs built-in, try the freeware VLC Media Player.There are 2 independent separate apps. There are two ways to get the HEVC Video Extensions for free. There's only one catch - If Microsoft discovers this loophole, they might close it. We now have a workaround that will allow you to download the HEVC codec for free, as it should be. These extensions also let you encode HEVC content on devices that don't have a hardware-based video encoder. Software support is provided for devices that don't have hardware support for HEVC videos, but the playback experience might vary based on the video resolution and PC performance. These extensions are designed to utilize hardware capabilities on newer devices, including those with an Intel 7th Generation Core processor and newer GPU to support 4K and Ultra HD content. Once you have the codecs, you can play High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) videos on your Windows 10 or 11 devices in any video app. ![]() After all, Microsoft keeps touting how advanced these operating systems are. While not a bank-buster, the encoders should be included in Windows & 11 for free. Playing HEVC or HEIC requires downloading the HEVC encoder from Microsoft for 99 cents. ![]()
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