Windows 10: HEVC

Is there any legal way to get the HEVC codec for free? I really need it for a video. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

:)

 

Computer HEVC Compatibility

Hi, I am considering buying a Go Pro Hero 6 and I noticed that for some video shooting modes it uses HEVC. I am not sure if my computer is compatible with HEVC, and I would like to know. Here are my computer's specifications,

• Windows 10
• Intel I7 core processor
• Graphics card: Nvidia Ge-Force 940m
• It is an HP Envy 1 Terabyte Bang& Olufsen Laptop

If any more specifications need to be listed to determine if my computer in HEVC compatible I will be happy to list them. Thank you!

 

HEVC Extension

Hello LoyalJoshua,

Thank you for responding.

Here are the things we might consider why you have this problem:

• Faulty Microsoft Store services.
  
• You're not signed it to the correct Microsoft account where the app is registered.
  
• Incompatible app to Windows 11.
  

The following are the suggested methods to troubleshoot Microsoft Store and apps issues:

METHOD 1: Install Windows updates

Make sure Windows 11 has the latest update.

1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   
2. If there is an available update, select Install now.
   

METHOD 2: Make sure that HEVC Extension app works with Windows 11.

Please see link below for more information about apps that aren't compatible:

Your app doesn't work with Windows

METHOD 3: Update Microsoft Store app

1. In Microsoft Store > Library.
   
2. Look for Microsoft Store in the list, if updates is available, proceed in installing it.
   
3. Check if it is working now.
   

METHOD 4: Sign out and sign back in

Sign out the current account and make sure you sign back in with the right Microsoft account you use when you purchase this app.

1. Open Microsoft Store.
   
2. At the upper-right corner, click on the profile icon and select your account.
   
3. Click the Sign out button.
   
4. Click on the profile icon again and click sign in.
   
5. Once done, try to play the video again.
   

METHOD 5: Open the video with HEVC Extension app

Try to open the video directly to HEVC Extension app.

1. Open File Explorer, locate where you save the video.
   
2. Right-click on it and select Open with.
   
3. Then select HEVC Extension app from the list.
   

METHOD 6: Reset Microsoft Store

It will reset and delete the app data to resolve common problems.

1. Open Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   
2. Select Microsoft Store app.
   
3. Click the Advanced options link and click Reset button.
   
4. Check if it's now working.
   

METHOD 7: Reinstall HEVC Extension app

If the above steps did not work, try reinstalling the app instead.

1. Open Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   
2. Select HEVC Extension app.
   
3. Click the Advanced options link and click Uninstall button.
   
4. To reinstall, open Microsoft Store again.
   
5. Select Library. Find the app you want to reinstall, and then select Install.
   

Let us know the result and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Best regards,



Microsoft Community Moderator

 

Directories with HEVC/x265 or Hi10p/10bit video sluggish

This was working for me in the Anniversary Update and Creators Update, but has been slowly going downhill after the Fall Creators Update (build 1709). After updating to the Fall Creators Update, I could sometimes get thumbnails to show up in Explorer, sometimes
not. I could sometimes get HEVC video to play in Movies & TV and Movie Moments, sometimes not. Now File Explorer won't create any HEVC thumbnails and HEVC video won't play in any of the Microsoft desktop or metro apps.

Here's what I've been able to piece together from a couple of different sources:

• Microsoft removed native HEVC support from the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
• If you applied a feature update from a previous version (Creators, etc.), you were supposed to retain HEVC support. Wasn't quite true for me, which is how I found this thread. The work-around I mentioned in a previous reply has now stopped working.
• Update KB4041994 enables SOME systems to ADD HEVC support back. There's a hidden app in the Microsoft Store called "HEVC Video Extension". Windows may add it manually. The app only enables HARDWARE HEVC decoding.
  You need a video card or processor released within the last ~year to get it though (Kaby Lake, Kaby Lake Refresh and Coffee Lake, and GPUs like AMD's RX 400, RX 500 and RX Vega 56/64, and Nividia's GeForce GTX 1000 and GTX 950 and 960 series.)
• One of the sources suggests software HEVC decoding might become available as a paid app in the Windows Store in the future. No further info available.

I did a clean install of the Fall Creators Update in Virtualbox. Applied all the updates and installed the "HEVC Video Extension" from the store. MP4 opens in Movies & TV metro app; HEVC video is blank, but HE-AAC audio plays. The slow folder refresh issue
with HEVC files exists.

I have a mid-range desktop processor and video card from early 2013. VLC plays 1080p HEVC using just a couple of percent CPU. I can encode 480p 30FPS in real time using the x.265 Medium preset. My system doesn't need hardware-accelerated encoding / decoding.

As for the original issue. I took someone's suggestion and installed Icaros. Explorer refresh is speedy and I get thumbnails not only for HEVC MP4/MKV, but also FLV (like Icaros claims - anything FFMPEG can decode).

Additional info:

• https://www.ghacks.net/2017/12/06/windows-10-fall-creators-update/
• HEVC and the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update