To open a MOV file on Windows, double-click it. On Windows 11 it opens in Media Player, and on Windows 10 in Movies & TV. If you get an error or only hear sound, the video probably uses the HEVC (H.265) codec, which iPhones use by default. You can fix that by installing Microsoft’s HEVC Video Extensions or by opening the file in the free VLC media player, which plays almost every MOV file without extra downloads.
What is a MOV file?
MOV is Apple’s QuickTime video format. It’s a container, which means the video inside can use different codecs. Most MOV files today come from iPhones and Macs and use either H.264, which Windows plays out of the box, or HEVC, which needs an extension. That’s why one MOV file plays fine while another doesn’t.
Method 1: Use the built-in player
- Right-click the MOV file and choose Open with.
- Select Media Player (Windows 11) or Movies & TV (Windows 10).
- To always use it, check Always use this app (or select Always).
Method 2: Install the HEVC Video Extensions
If the built-in player shows an error, a black screen, or asks for a codec:
- Open the Microsoft Store and search for HEVC Video Extensions.
- Install the extension published by Microsoft. It’s a small paid download in most regions; some PCs come with a free manufacturer version already installed.
- Restart the player and open the MOV file again.
The same extension lets the Photos app and other Windows apps play HEVC video.
Method 3: Use VLC media player (free)
- Download VLC from the official site, videolan.org.
- Install it, then right-click the MOV file and choose Open with > VLC media player.
VLC includes its own codecs, so it plays HEVC and most other formats without paying for extensions. It also handles MKV and other files Windows struggles with; see how to play MKV files on Windows 11.
Method 4: Convert MOV to MP4
If you need the video to play everywhere, such as in older apps or on a smart TV, convert it to MP4 with H.264:
- VLC: select Media > Convert / Save, add the file, choose Convert, pick an H.264 + MP3 (MP4) profile, and set a destination file.
- HandBrake, a free open-source converter, offers presets for common devices.
- Clipchamp, included with Windows 11, can import a MOV file and export it as MP4.
Don’t install QuickTime for Windows
Apple stopped updating QuickTime for Windows years ago, and it has known security vulnerabilities. You don’t need it to play MOV files; the methods above are safer.
Avoid the problem on your iPhone
To record videos that play on Windows without extra codecs, go to Settings > Camera > Formats on the iPhone and choose Most Compatible. New videos are saved in H.264. When transferring by USB, setting Settings > Apps > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic also converts files for compatibility.
Troubleshooting
- Sound but no picture: the HEVC codec is missing. Use Method 2 or 3.
- “This item was encoded in a format that’s not supported”: same fix; try VLC first since it’s free.
- Choppy playback of 4K video: update your graphics driver, or play a lower-resolution copy.
- The file won’t open in any player: it may be incomplete. Copy it from the source again.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.