Open WMV files

Full name

Windows Media Video Format
Developer

Microsoft
Popularity

Have you encountered a problem with a WMV file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a WMV file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your WMV file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is WMV file?

The extension WMV denotes a file in Windows Media Format. These files contain video and audio data. The WMV proprietary video compression technology was developed by Microsoft Corporation and is part of the Windows Media Platform. There are several versions commonly referred to as WMV 7 - 9. These are only compatible with each other downwards.

More info

In addition to the Windows Media Player and numerous software players, many hardware players are able to play WMV.
WMV files can also be protected by digital rights management. In this case, you need the appropriate, possibly paid licenses to view the files.
WMV supports numerous resolutions and quality levels up to HD material. For the latter, there is also a special format called WMVHD available. An extended version of WMV is called VC-1 and is partly used on BluRays and HDDVD.
WMV-encoded videos may also be in other container formats. For example in asf, avi or mkv.
WMV is not available as a retrofittable codec, but must be directly supported by the player or operating system. Wmv files can also be streamed and are therefore widely used on the Internet.
Some programs can handle WMV plugins.

Programs which can open a WMV file

Windows

Linux

Xine
Totem

Mac OS

iOS

WMV Player

How to open file with WMV extension?

In order to open a file with WMV extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening WMV file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with WMV files, follow the instructions below.

Install Elmedia Player or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening WMV files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support WMV files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of WMV files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Elmedia Player as the default program for opening WMV files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate WMV files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Elmedia Player applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Elmedia Player has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with WMV files

Sometimes problems with opening WMV files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
WMV files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open WMV files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
WMV file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)