So how do you know which codecs your PC needs?

A brand new, fresh from the factory PC will come with the most commonly used codecs needed to play Windows WMV files, audio CDs, WAV files, and even some AVI files. But even with a new PC, the odds are you will have to download a few new codecs to access all of your media files.

If you are trying to access a file without the correct codec, Windows Media Player will usually give you an error message with a four-number code that corresponds to a specific codec. You can visit http://www.fourcc.org/fcccodec.htm to find the code and download the proper codec.

What’s a Codec?

A codec is a computer program that is essential to your PC’s media player for shrinking and playing large files like movies and music. “Codec” is a blending of the words “code” and “decode,” which describe the functions of the program. Movies and music files are so large they need extra help speeding up their download times. Thanks to codecs, downloading the latest episode of The Office doesn’t take 24 hours. Codecs take the raw file and, utilizing built in mathematical coders, they shrink the file size down for significantly faster downloads. Once downloaded, the decoders go to work opening the file in all its glory.

For end-users, it’s important to know that there are literally hundreds of codecs being used today. They are used for many different functions including:

• Audio compression

• Video compression

• Streaming media via the Internet

• Videoconferencing

• Playing music files

• Playing video files

• Speech capture

• Screen capture

Download WIndows Media Player Codecs

You can enable automatic downloads of needed codecs while in Windows Media Player. Microsoft’s support page instructs you how to set up the automatic download so you don’t have to keep looking for individual codecs whenever you receive an error.

1. In Windows Media Player, click Tools, and then click Options.


2. Click the Player tab, and then click to select the check box for Download codecs automatically under Automatic updates.


3. Click OK.


4. After you complete this procedure, try to play the file again. If the audio or video portion of the file is still missing, the file may require a codec that is not supported by Windows Media Player.

Using a Microsoft Codec Installation Package

If you are looking for another option for when you don’t want to go searching for single codecs every time Windows Media Player gives you an error, Microsoft offers customers a codec installation package to be “used as an alternative to automatically downloading Windows Media Codecs, or to correct problems experienced with previously-downloaded codecs.”