How to Convert MP4 to WMV Easily and Quickly?

Table of Content

Best MP4 to WMV Converter for Windows

3 Steps to Convert MP4 Files to WMV in Bulk

Six Best Free Options

======FAQs======

MP4 is one of the most popular video formats with broad compatibility. But not every MP4 file is the same. Some MP4 videos use codecs, profiles, or parameters that older Windows Media Player, apps, or certain editing programs cannot decode properly.

In this case, converting MP4 to WMV can make the video easier to open in Windows-based workflows, especially when you need a WMV file for legacy software, local playback, or a specific sharing requirement. Below are several practical MP4-to-WMV conversion methods for different needs.

Best MP4 to WMV Converter for Windows

For a quick and stable conversion, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is our top pick. It provides a configured WMV profile, supports batch conversion, and also lets you adjust video codec, bitrate, resolution, frame rate, and audio settings when needed.

It is also more than a simple format converter. You can use it to trim, merge, crop, rotate, compress, download, record, and process videos in one place. The straightforward GUI makes it easy to navigate even for less tech-savvy users.

3 Steps to Convert MP4 Files to WMV in Bulk

Step 1 - Add MP4 Files

DownloadDownload, install, and run HD Video Converter Factory Pro, go to "Converter", and click "Add Files" to import the MP4 files you want to convert. A simple drag-and-drop is also allowed.

Step 2 - Select WMV as Output Format

Open the output format library on the right side, go to the "Video" category, and select "WMV" as the output profile.

Tips. There are more than 500 pre-configured output presets for different devices and purposes. You can also open the "Parameter settings" window to change video codec, resolution, bitrate, frame rate, audio encoder, and other settings for more control over the WMV output.

Step 3 - Start Batch Conversion

Specify an output folder, and click "Run" to start converting your MP4 files to WMV in bulk. When the process is complete, open the output folder and check the converted WMV files.

Six Best Free Options

Need a free way to convert MP4 to WMV? The following tools can help. They are useful for occasional conversion, but some may be slower, less intuitive, or limited in batch processing compared with the Pro method above.

#1. Free HD Video Converter Factory

This is a free and simplified version of WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro. It has the same basic conversion workflow and includes a ready-made WMV output profile, but it has limitations on simultaneous conversion and hardware acceleration.

For a single MP4 file or a small number of videos, it is still an excellent free MP4-to-WMV converter without watermark. The steps are similar: open Converter, add your MP4 file, choose WMV under the Video tab, set an output folder, and click Run.

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MP4 to WMV Video Converter Free Download

#2. VLC Media Player

The popular VLC is not only a versatile media player, but also has basic conversion capability. It can convert MP4 to WMV/ASF for occasional use, though the process is less direct than using a dedicated converter.

Download and install VLC Media Player on your computer.
Open VLC and go to "Media" > "Convert / Save".
Click "Add" and select the MP4 file you want to convert, then click "Convert / Save".
In the "Profile" drop-down list, choose "Video - WMV + WMA (ASF)" if it is available.
If you cannot find a WMV profile, click the wrench icon, choose "ASF/WMV" under the "Encapsulation" tab, select compatible video/audio codecs, name the new profile, and click "Create".
Click "Browse" to choose a destination path, and make sure the output file name ends with ".wmv".
Finally, hit the "Start" button and wait until the progress bar finishes.

Note. VLC is handy for one-off conversions, but it may be confusing for beginners and is not ideal for large batch jobs.

#3. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free, open-source command line tool for converting video and audio between formats. With the right command, you can convert MP4 files to WMV, but it has a steep learning curve for users who are not familiar with command lines.

Download FFmpeg for your operating system from the FFmpeg website.
Extract the FFmpeg package and add it to your system path, or open the command prompt in the FFmpeg folder.
Use this command to convert MP4 to WMV: "ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v wmv2 -c:a wmav2 output.wmv" (without quotation marks)
Replace "input.mp4" and "output.wmv" with your own file names.
Press "Enter" to run the command and initiate the conversion process.

#4. XMedia Recode

XMedia Recode is a free yet functional video transcoding program for Windows with tons of output formats. The interface is outdated but it can handle MP4 to WMV conversions fairly well. Follow these instructions:

Download, install, and run XMedia Recode.
Add your MP4 files by clicking "Open File" or dragging files into the interface.
Under "Format" tab, choose "WMV" option in the drop-down list of "Format" and "File Extension".
Click "Browse" to choose a destination path for saving the converted WMV files.
Click the "Add to queue" button. Your conversion task will appear in the queue.
Lastly, click the "Encode" button.

#5. WinFF

WinFF is an open source video converter for Windows and Linux. It has a basic interface and can convert MP4 to WMV. It relies on FFmpeg in the backend, so it may still feel less user-friendly than modern GUI converters. Here's how to change MP4 to WMV with WinFF:

Install WinFF and launch the application.
Run WinFF, click "+ Add" button to import your MP4 files.
Move to "Convert to" section, select "Windows" option.
Choose "WMV 720p" or "WMV2 Generic" option in the "Preset" drop-down list.
Click "three-dots" icon to choose an output folder.
Finally, click the "Convert" button.

#6. Online Video Converters

For quick one-off conversions, some free online video converter tools can convert MP4 to WMV right in your browser without installing software. Examples include but are not limited to:

CloudConvert.com
Convertio.co
Online-Convert.com
FileZigZag.com
FreeConvert.com

To use them, go to the website, upload your MP4 file, select WMV as the output format, and click Convert. Online tools are convenient, but they are not ideal for private videos, very large files, or unstable network connections because the file must be uploaded first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between MP4 and WMV?

A: MP4 is a container format that can store many kinds of video, audio, and subtitle streams, such as H.264/AAC or H.265/AAC. WMV usually refers to Windows Media Video files that use Microsoft video/audio technologies. MP4 is more widely used for sharing, streaming, and modern devices, while WMV is mainly useful for specific Windows-based or legacy workflows.

Q2: Is converting MP4 to WMV lossless?

A: Usually not. Most MP4-to-WMV conversion involves re-encoding, so some quality loss is possible. You can reduce visible loss by using a reasonable bitrate, keeping the original resolution and frame rate when appropriate, and avoiding repeated conversions.

Q3: How long does it take to convert MP4 files to WMV?

A: The conversion time depends on various factors, such as the number and file size of the source MP4 files, the conversion software used, and your computer's hardware. Faster processors and dedicated graphics cards can significantly speed up the conversion process.

Q4: Can I convert MP4 to WMV with Windows Media Player?

A: No. Windows Media Player can play many media files, but it does not provide a video conversion/export feature for turning MP4 into WMV. Use a dedicated converter, VLC, FFmpeg, or another tool that can actually encode WMV files.

Q5: Does HandBrake support batch conversion of MP4 to WMV?

A: No. HandBrake doesn’t support MP4 to WMV conversion. Current versions can output common containers such as MP4/M4V, MKV, WebM, and MOV, but WMV is still not an output option. Try other programs recommended in this article if WMV is required.

Q6: Are there any limitations to the online solutions?

A: Yes. Online MP4-to-WMV converters may limit file size, conversion speed, or the number of free tasks. They also require you to upload the source video, so desktop software is a safer choice for large, private, or work-related files.

Final Thoughts

For batch MP4-to-WMV conversion, quality control, and a beginner-friendly workflow, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is the most efficient option in this guide. For occasional use, Free HD Video Converter Factory, VLC, FFmpeg, XMedia Recode, WinFF, and online tools can also help. Choose the method that best fits your file size, privacy needs, and comfort level.