How to Play MOV Files on Windows 11 (2024)

Yes, Windows 11 supports MOV format files. Although MOV is a video format developed by Apple and is primarily used in the QuickTime framework, Microsoft Windows has added support for the .mov extension. The Media Player app on Windows 11 can easily play files with the .mov extension.

Windows Media Player or simply Media Player is also introduced in Windows 11. This app is the successor of Groove Music, Movies & TV and the original Windows Media Player and has native support for MOV format files. You can play high-definition MOV files and many other video files in this MOV player. Just follow the steps below to enjoy MOV files in Windows 11 Media Player.

Step 1. Click your Windows 11 search bar at the bottom of your screen and enter Media Player.

Step 2. Open the Media Player app.

Step 3. Click the ‘Video library’, then click ‘Add folder’ in the upper-right corner and import the video you want to watch.

Step 4. Click on the video to start watching.

Tip: You can also right-click the video file, select 'Open with,' and choose 'Media Player' to play it directly.

While Windows Media Player can play MOV files on Windows 11, it may not support certain codecs like HEVC/x265. This can result in a black screen or audio-only playback.

If you encounter this playback error, don't worry because it is very easy to fix this problem. Below, we provide three solutions to fix the problem of MOV files not playing on Windows 11. Keep reading.

You can try to convert MOV files to Windows supported formats, such as MP4 or WMV, to solve the problem of MOV files not playing. To do this, you just need a reliable format conversion tool, such as WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory. It can easily convert almost all video formats and codecs, including converting MOV to WMV, MP4, H264, MPEG, and other Windows-friendly formats.

Free download Free download the video converter and follow the steps to start converting.

Step 1. Open Free HD Video Converter Factory on your PC and enter the “Converter” module.

Step 2. Drag your MOV files into the conversion list.

Step 3. On the right side of the program, click to open the output format page. Navigate to the “Video” category and select “WMV”, “MP4”, “H264,” or another compatible format.

Note: Ensure the video encoder is supported by Windows in the “Parameter settings” (e.g., H264, MPEG-4, WMV)

Step 5. Click “Run” to convert the MOV file for smooth playback on Windows 11.

Tip: If your MOV file was shot in a high resolution, such as 4K, and your graphics card doesn't support it, it won't play smoothly. Converting it to a lower resolution can solve the problem. Learn how to downscale 4K to 1080P.

As expected, your MOV file is encoded with a codec that is not supported by Windows Media Player. For example, if your video capture device runs iOS or later, the captured MOV video is most likely encoded with the HEVC codec.

When playing such a file, the player may display an error message saying that a new codec is required to play this file. Therefore, you can download the MOV codec to enable MOV playback on Windows 11.

You can search for many related MOV codecs from Microsoft Store, including HEVC, VP9, ​​AV1, MPEG-2, etc.

In addition, if you don't know which MOV codec you need, you can install a codec pack. Codec packs usually contain various codecs needed to play common media files. You can download K-Lite Codec Pack, a free and codec-rich codec pack software to improve your MOV playback experience. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to https://codecguide.com/download_kl.htm and download the Standard version of the K-Lite Codec Pack.

Step 2. Click the downloaded .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the setup.

Now, you should have no problem playing MOV files on Windows 11. Just try a MOV file in Windows Media Player.

Besides Windows Media Player, there are other media player apps that can play MOV files on Windows 11.

The most famous MOV player for Windows 11 is VLC Media Player. It has excellent format support and can play almost any video you can think of without format conversion or codec installation. It can handle HEVC MOV files that Windows 11 cannot handle and can also play HD videos quickly.

Step 1. Go to the VLC official website and download the latest version of VLC media player.

Step 2. Install the app on your Windows 11.

Step 3. Launch the app and throw your MOV file in it to start watching.

Other awesome MOV players you can use include QuickTime Player, PotPlayer, MPC-HC, and more.

Playing MOV files on Windows 11 is easy with the right tools and methods. Whether you use the built-in Windows Media Player, convert the files to compatible formats, download the missing codecs, or opt for third-party players, you can enjoy seamless playback of your favorite videos. Follow the steps outlined in this guide to resolve any issues you encounter.

Yes, Windows 11 can play MOV files. The Media Player app on Windows 11 can play files with the .mov extension, thanks to native support for the MOV format.

Yes, Windows Media Player on Windows 11 supports playing MOV files. It can be accessed via the search bar by typing 'Media Player'.

If your MOV file won't play, it could be due to an unsupported codec. Try the following methods to get around this:

• Convert the MOV file to a compatible format like MP4 or WMV using a tool like WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory.
• Install the necessary MOV codecs or a codec pack such as K-Lite Codec Pack.
• Use a third-party media player like VLC Media Player that supports a wider range of codecs.

• Free download Free download WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory and install it on your PC.
• Open the software select the “Converter” module.
• Drag your MOV files into the conversion list.
• Choose a compatible format like MP4, WMV, or H264 from the output format page.
• Click “Run” to start the conversion.

Several third-party media players support MOV files, including:

• VLC Media Player
• QuickTime Player
• PotPlayer
• MPC-HC