How to Install DVD Codec to Play DVDs in Windows 10

It is well known that Microsoft doesn’t ship with DVD playback functionality in Windows 10. After upgrading to the version, some people try to install a DVD codec for Windows 10 to fill up the deficiency but find it unworkable. In this post, we will share the reason and efficient ways to play DVDs in Widows 10. Install the most recommended DVD encoder for Windows 10 to get ready:
https://www.videoconverterfactory.com/download/dvd-ripper.exehttps://www.videoconverterfactory.com/download/dvd-ripper.exe

Vita Vita | Updated on Jun 21, 2023

Part 1. Is It Possible to Play DVDs in Windows 10 by Installing DVD Codec

Part 2. How to Install DVD Codec Properly to Play DVDs on Windows

Part 3. Best Way to Play DVD in Windows 10

Part 4. Transcode DVDs into Digital Files for Handy Playback in Windows 10/11

While Microsoft has discarded DVD playback capability in recent versions, it provides users with a paid Windows DVD player that is available at $14.99. Besides purchasing the functionality that was free in the past, most people are looking for free solutions. Installing DVD MPEG-2 decoder is said to be one of the ways. Many people hold that a right DVD codec for Windows 10 will add the DVD playback capability, but which may not be the case in Windows 10. The following is why.

Windows 10 DVD Encoder

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is an excellent DVD encoder for Windows. It can rip DVDs to MP4, WMV, AVI, MKV, MPG, MOV, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2, and other formats/codecs. Then, you can play the digital version of the DVDs in Windows 10 smoothly.

Part 1. Is It Possible to Play DVDs in Windows 10 by Installing DVD Codec?

As mentioned earlier, DVD playback capability has been removed in Windows 10 out of box. When you upgrade to Windows 10, the DVD playback functionality doesn’t exist at all, so simply installing a DVD codec for Windows 10 will not work it out.

However, if you have bought Windows DVD player or installed a compatible DVD movie player app on your computer yet still fail to open DVD movies, it is very likely that the problem is related to codecs and you will receive a message like “Compatible DVD Decoder is Not Installed”. In such a case, you can install a DVD MPEG-2 codec to fix this issue and #part 2 will show you how to do it. Meanwhile, there are also free solutions to DVD not playing if you don’t want to buy the Windows DVD player, which we will introduce in #part 3.
Skip to the correct part based on your case required.

Part 2. How to Install DVD Codec Properly to Play DVDs on Windows

Based on the premise that you have Windows DVD player or one of other DVD players installed on your PC but can’t play DVDs in Windows, you can install a DVD codec to resolve the problem. There are many free codec packs on the Internet, most of which include the MPEG-2 DVD codec.

K-Lite Codec Pack is the most received codec pack for Windows. It can resolve most video, audio, and DVD not playing errors caused by missing codecs.
Download K-Lite Codec Pack: https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm (The basic version can do just fine)

Install K-Lite Codec Pack

When the download finishes, run K-Lite Codec Pack installer, and follow the instructions to install the codec pack on your device. It selects MPEG-2 as one of the components by default, thus, you can use the default selections.
Now, you should be able to play DVDs on your computer.

Part 3. Best Way to Play DVD in Windows 10

Many Windows-supported free media players have support for CD, DVDs, and even Blu-rays. By taking advantage of such a player, you will be able to watch DVD movies on Windows without installing additional DVD codec and cost.

Tip. We have compiled the best free DVD players for Windows 10. You can visit this post to know details.

Play DVD in VLC

Especially, VLC media player has much to recommend it. This free, portable, and cross-platform media player has strong capability of media file playback and can play virtually all files you add into. Meanwhile, it works a treat, delivering users with smooth and seamless video playback experience.

Part 4. Transcode DVDs for Handy Playback in Windows 10/11

An alternative solution to play DVDs in Windows 10/11 is to transcode DVDs to digital videos like MP4 or MPEG files. The best side of this method is you are able to play and store desired content from DVD discs in digital form, which is more convenient and accessible. For this purpose, you can use WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro. It is an advanced DVD ripping/conversion tool for Windows OS. With it, you can convert DVDs to MP4, MPG, WMV, or other Windows well supported video formats and play the converted movie files in Windows applications without problems. WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro is easy to use and powerful.

Free download Free download the software and follow the instructions below if you are interested in this method:

Free Download

Compatible with Windows

100% Clean & Safe

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Step 1. Add DVD Source

Insert the DVD disc into your computer optical disc drive. Start WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro, click DVD Disc, select the right drive letter that typically has the same as the movie you want to convert, then, click Ok.

Insert the DVD movie

Step 2. Choose an Output Format

Click the output format icon on the right side. On the output format menu, select a format. For example, you can choose the Windows media format, WMV, or the most popular MP4 video format.

Step 3. Start the Conversion

Click the three-dot icon on the bottom of the software and specify the output path. Finally, click Run.

Convert DVD to Windows

More of the Powerful DVD Ripper

WonderFox DVD Ripper Pro can remove DVD copy protections, convert DVDs to 300+ presets, 1:1 copy ISO image or Video_TS folder, select desired subtitle and audio tracks, and edit DVD videos handily. It’s the best solution to convert DVDs on a Windows PC.

Bottom Line

This article has shown when and how you should install DVD codec for Windows 10. Moreover, you can try the alternative ways when DVD not playing is unsettled with DVD codec.

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