Windows 10: "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" installed on computer but missing from...

I became aware of bugs CVE-2020-1457 and CVE-2020-1425 a couple of days ago, and tried to figure out whether I'm affected and how to fix the problem.

Five of my computers have "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" installed. I didn't install it. The latest installation or update on one of my computers was on May 6, the same date as an update to "Microsoft Solitaire Collection". Dates vary, but on all computers, these two updates occurred the same day.

If I go to the "Downloads and updates" page of Microsoft store, there's no option to download an update to "HEVC Video Extensions". This app also doesn't appear in my Microsoft Store library. I suspect that because of this, it won't be updated automatically from Microsoft Store.

1 How can I get an update for "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer" if it's not available to me in Microsoft Store?

2 How can I tell what programs might use "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer"? Can I safely uninstall it?

Thanks in advance for any help.

:)

 

58 Error dialogs from app when HEVC Video Extension Window Store codec is installed.

Hi Kraig,

The ability of your device hardware may be the determining factor here, for example, here is the statement from the MS store app page:

The HEVC Video Extension enables compatible Windows 10 devices to play video using the HEVC format in any app, including 4K and Ultra HD content. Compatible devices support HEVC in hardware, including Intel 7th Generation Core processors and other
modern GPUs. If you are not using a compatible device, this extension will have no effect on your Windows 10 video experience.

Therefore, I suggest that you next should check the device manufactures support website for compatibility info and/or update's offered that may apply to the compatibility thereof.

If you need more help with this in determining if your hardware will support the 4K and/or ultra HD video codec (extension) format then reply back with the full detailed description of the make and model (including the tag#, serial#, etc.) and we will help
you as best we can in determining the compatibility of your device.

We'll be waiting for your next reply.

Good Luck,

-Richard

 

Windows File Explorer does not generate thumbnails for HEVC videos any more

Now I have found the problem. When I installed the app "HEVC Video Extension" from Microsoft Store, the other app “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturers” already was installed. So, I got two apps for the same purpose. When I found this
I uninstalled the latter one and then all problems started. Installing/uninstalling the two apps i different combinations did not solve the problem.

Today I was desperate, took ownership of the folder C:\Program Files\WindowsApps and looked inside. There were two folders for HEVC Video Extensions. I uninstalled "HEVC Video Extension" the normal way, from Settings->Apps. After that there
was still a folder "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.HEVCVideoExtension . . . ". I renamed this folder, restarted the system and installed the
app “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturers” from Microsoft Store. It is pure magic, now it works again without any problems!

It is possible to find the app “HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturers” in Microsoft Store, but I found this link:

HEVC Video Extensions from Manufacturers

 

What's the difference between paid and free HEVC Media Extensions app?

When I try to open HEVC video file, Movies app linked me to Store to install codec, which is $0.99 paid app (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/hevc-video-extensions/9nmzlz57r3t7) but there is a free one which is named 'HEVC Video Extensions from
Device Manufacturer' (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/hevc-video-extension/9n4wgh0z6vhq). Is there any difference between those two apps?