How to Install a Windows Media Player MP4 Codec

Microsoft provides what is known as the Codec Installation Package. This package includes the MP4 codec for Windows Media Player along with many other commonly used codecs.

Obtaining the Official Codec Package from Microsoft

  1.  Go to http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/search.aspx?q=codec
  2. Select “Codec Installation Package” from the search results. This codec package supports the current Windows Media Player 10 and 11.
  3. Validation is required to check if you are using a genuine version of Microsoft Windows. Otherwise, you won’t be able to download the codec.
  4. Validate and the file should be ready for download.
  5. Save the EXE to your hard drive. Once the download completes, double-click the EXE to execute.
  6. It is recommended that users who are unfamiliar with the settings just click “Next” and install the basic/recommended setup.

Download Codec Installation Package from Microsoft

Using the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack

Please note that the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is not an official release from Microsoft. However, it is a highly supported and a very frequently updated pack. In fact, a recent survey on a technology site showed just as many users using this pack as the official Microsoft pack.

  1. Go to http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_codec_pack or http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec. You can download either of them.
  2. Click the Download latest version link near the top in the right-sidebar.
  3. Save the EXE to your hard drive. Double-click it to begin installation.
  4. For non-experts, it is highly recommended to just install the recommended setup by clicking “Next”.

 

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How to Install a Windows Media Player MP4 Codec, 7.7 out of 10 based on 18 ratings
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  • steve2

    EXCELLENT! Thanks!

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  • elitepurge

    Exactly what I was looking for. Many thanks c:

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  • Me2

    Gives “This version of Windows Media Technologies is incompatible with this version of Windows. For more information, view the information at the Microsoft web site.” for Media Player 11 :sad:

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  • Wayne Fuller

    It seems to me that this instruction needs to be updated. When you go the “www.microsoft.com, Downloads & Trials, and then the Download Center”, there is NO left anything that says “Windows Media.” When you do finally get somewhere that looks like it MIGHT be what you are talking about, what you download gives you the message described in Comment #3 above.
    ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????? :sigh:

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  • Daniel Memenode

    I updated the article to fix the steps to get the codec. All that’s necessary is to get to the download center from the homepage and search “codec”.

    As for the incompatibility error, I assume this is happening on Windows 7? Doesn’t Windows 7 support MP4 natively?

    If not, you might want to try Windows 7 Codecs and see if it helps.

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  • Layla

    It didn’t work for me either, and I am running Vista. The message said this codec is meant for version before Vista.

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  • hammbone4266

    I just went to shark007.net downloaded their codec installed and it worked perfectly on my wmp im usung windows 7 64 bit theres a link above says windows 7 codecs

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  • steve hayes

    The illustration is of Media Player Classic

    I think this articles referes to uSoft Media Player versions 10, 11 etc, so the picture gives me some doubts

    Otherwise its looking good thanks

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  • John Does

    Will not install in WMP 11 under W XP Pro.

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  • Qasim

    Fantastic , great , and superb
    It is working. Now I can watch mp4 videos.I am thankful for these information and download links. I hope you will add some more important links for some other important items.
    Thanks a lot

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  • Seattle Architect

    Does not seem to work on XP for me.

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  • Nick Lewis

    Nope. I’v downloaded the Codec Installation Package for Windows Media Player 7.1 or later and installed it and followed the instructions.
    I use Windows XP and still can’t play my mp-4 video files. When setting up the media player for the first time it gives you a list of file extensions to play and nowhere in there is mp-4.

    Totaly useless.
    Why on earth microsoft can’t make things easy and just include an mp-4 extension for media player automaticly is baffling! Most phones only have mp-4 extenions, how the heck are you suppose to play them on your computer??
    Rudiculous

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    • memenode

      I agree MS should probably include this by default. If it doesn’t work in Windows Media Player though I recommend you just download and use VLC for those files. VLC is widely known as a player that plays everything and it’s invaluable on any computer because of that.

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  • Mendo_Nut

    MP4 files “No Workee” with XP Pro & WMP 10 with the “Codec Installation Package for Windows Media Player 7.1 or later” …. bummer.
    I give the VLC Player a try.

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  • vipin

    The instructions are great. Solved the problem I had with playing mpg4 on windows media player.

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  • No worky

    Will not install in WMP 11 under W XP Pro.  I get an error as mentioned above.

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  • jonny rocket

    it has virus.  do not do.

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  • xew

    Fun to be in China but there with out a VPN connection this link to the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack does not work…:S
    Divx is an option would it not be that you get all in Chinese because they link you to it at the divx webpage ( why nobody can tell or knows )..
    love to have it still because i need it.Anything would be fine…..

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  • Wayne Fuller

    Tried once again to get this codec using the links on this site.
    When I follow the link “Download Codec Pack here” above, it take me to the site “VideoBuzz.”
    When I get there and click the “download here” button/link, I get a “Malicious Web Site Blocked” from NORTON.

    Once again ??????????????????????????????

    Thanks,
    Wayne

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  • khaled

    thankes alot exelant

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  • cindy downing

    what is the difference in an audio codec and an audio converter? Do i need both? I just want to use my ipod on my WMP.

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  • ron

    rubbish
    the codec upgrade does not work for XP with Media Player 11

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  • James Martin

    I tried to download and install the codec for .mp4 files so that I could edit them with Windows Movie Maker version 6.1 (build 7601: Service Pack 1). When I tried to install the file (after I went thru the genuine verification process) it told me that it was able to be installed only on Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows 2003 Server.

    Can you please tell me how I can solve my problem?

    Thanks,
    James

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  • Hal_9001

    The “official codec” from MS did not work either.

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  • JER0EN R0LAND

    is it possible to copy H.264 MPEG4 codes in windows 7 system32 map and put them in windows XP. Microsoft is a stupit asshoI.

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  • Julian

    It’s really easy to do so. If you want to add a video to movie maker first you have to install quicktime and from there you export the video to the file format you want so movie maker will be able to edit it.

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  • http://belanjaaudio.com/promolist/paketaudio speaker

    An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a
    coworker who has been doing a little homework on this. And he actually bought me
    lunch due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!
    ! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this issue here on your internet site.

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  • RogerDane

    Yup, two years ago, 9 months ago.. but Microsoft ‘appears’ to have changed their interface and the instruction ‘links’ are not functional now in April of 2013.

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