Playing MKV Files in Windows Media Player: Codecs, Converters, and Alternatives

The MKV (Matroska) file format is a popular container for video, audio, and subtitles. However, Windows Media Player (WMP) doesn't natively support MKV files without the help of additional software. This article explores different methods to play MKV files within Windows, including using Freemake Video Converter, installing codecs, and alternative media players.

The Challenge: MKV and Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player, while a standard on Windows systems, lacks built-in support for many modern video formats, including MKV. This is because MKV utilizes different codecs for encoding video and audio that WMP doesn't recognize by default.

Option 1: Freemake Video Converter - A Limited Solution

Freemake Video Converter is primarily designed for converting video files between various formats. While it offers a "preview" mode, it's not intended to be a full-fledged media player.

• Pros: You might be able to view your .mkv file.
• Cons: It's not designed for playback. Converting video files can be time consuming. Converting to another format like AVI (without re-encoding) still won't work without the correct codec.

Option 2: Installing a Matroska Codec (Recommended)

The most direct way to enable MKV playback in Windows Media Player is by installing a compatible codec. A codec (coder-decoder) is a software component that enables WMP to understand and play the audio and video streams within the MKV container.

• Haali Media Splitter: Haali Media Splitter is a popular and reliable choice for playing MKV files in Windows Media Player. You can download it from http://haali.su/mkv/.
• Codec Packs: Codec packs like CCCP, K-Lite Codec Pack, and ffdshow can provide support for a wide range of video and audio formats, including MKV. Be cautious when installing codec packs, as they can sometimes cause conflicts with existing software. K-Lite Codec Pack is a well known codec pack option.

Important Considerations:

• Codec Conflicts: Installing multiple codec packs can lead to conflicts. If you experience issues after installing a codec pack, try uninstalling it and using a different one, or sticking with a standalone splitter like Haali.

Option 3: Registry Edit

One user suggested a registry edit to associate the .mkv extension with the "video" perceived type in Windows. This can sometimes help Windows Media Player recognize and attempt to play MKV files.

Steps:

1. Open Notepad.

2. Copy and paste the following code:

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
   
   [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mkv]
   "PerceivedType"="video"
   
   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Multimedia\WMPlayer\Extensions\.mkv]
   "PerceivedType"="video"
   "Permissions"=dword:0000000f
   "Runtime"=dword:00000007
   
   [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\MLS\Extensions]
   "mkv"="video"
   

3. Save the file as wmp_mkvfix.reg.

4. Close Windows Media Player if it's open.

5. Double-click the wmp_mkvfix.reg file to import the settings into the registry.

6. Click "Yes" to confirm the changes.

Note: This method may not work in isolation and could require codec packs like CCCP, ffdshow, or K-Lite Codec Pack to be installed. Modifying the Windows Registry can be risky; proceed with caution and create a backup before making any changes.

Option 4: Use a Media Player with Built-in Codecs (Highly Recommended)

Instead of struggling with codecs and converters, consider using a media player that natively supports MKV and other common video formats. This is often the simplest and most reliable solution.

• VLC Media Player: VLC is a free, open-source media player that supports virtually every video and audio format without requiring additional codecs. Download it from VideoLAN.
• MPLayer: Another open-source media player known for its wide format support.
• PotPlayer: A powerful and customizable media player with built-in codecs and advanced features.

Why Not Convert to AVI?

While converting MKV to AVI might seem like a solution, it's generally not recommended:

• Quality Loss: Converting video can result in a loss of quality, especially if the video is re-encoded.
• Codec Dependency: Even as an AVI file, the video and audio streams still need to be decoded. If Windows Media Player doesn't have the necessary codecs, it won't play the AVI file either.

Conclusion

Playing MKV files in Windows Media Player can be achieved, but it requires either installing the correct codecs or using a registry tweak. However, a more straightforward approach is to use a dedicated media player like VLC, which offers native support for MKV and other formats, providing a hassle-free viewing experience.