WMV file format
Windows Media Video (.wmv): old Windows Movie Maker projects and archives.
WMV was Microsoft’s main video format in the Windows XP era, produced by Windows Movie Maker and many old cameras and screen recorders. Macs, phones and browsers cannot play it, so old WMV videos are best converted to MP4.
| Full name | Windows Media Video |
|---|---|
| File extension | .wmv, .asf |
| MIME type | video/x-ms-wmv |
| Created | 1999 by Microsoft |
| Usual codecs | Windows Media Video 7/8/9 with WMA audio |
| Plays on | Windows Media Player; not supported on Mac, iPhone, Android or in browsers |
| Best for | old Windows Movie Maker projects and archives |
Advantages
- Plays on older Windows PCs
Drawbacks
- No support on Mac, iPhone, Android or the web
- Obsolete
Convert WMV to…
Frequently asked questions
What is a .wmv file?
WMV was Microsoft’s main video format in the Windows XP era, produced by Windows Movie Maker and many old cameras and screen recorders. Macs, phones and browsers cannot play it, so old WMV videos are best converted to MP4.
How do I open a WMV file?
Windows Media Player and VLC play WMV. Macs, iPhones, Android phones and browsers do not — convert to MP4.
How do I convert WMV?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your videos are never uploaded. Most popular: WMV to MP4, WMV to MP3, WMV to MOV.