To view GoPro videos on Windows 10, copy them to your PC first. Connect the GoPro with its USB cable (or put its microSD card in a card reader), open File Explorer, go to the camera or card > DCIM > 100GOPRO, and copy the .MP4 files to your Videos folder. Then double-click a file to play it in Media Player or Movies & TV. If a video won’t play or shows only sound, it was probably recorded in HEVC (H.265). Install HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store, or use the free VLC player, which plays HEVC without extra codecs.
Below are the steps for each connection method, what the extra files on your GoPro are, and how to fix choppy or unplayable videos.
Method 1: Connect the GoPro with a USB cable
- Turn on the GoPro and connect it to your PC with a USB-C cable (a data cable, not a charge-only one).
- If the camera asks how to connect, choose MTP or the USB file-transfer option, depending on your model.
- Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and click This PC. The GoPro appears as a device.
- Open it, then go to DCIM > 100GOPRO (the number may be higher, like 101GOPRO).
- Select the videos you want, right-click, choose Copy, and paste them into a folder on your PC.
Playing videos directly from the camera often stutters because the USB connection is slow. Copy them first for smooth playback.
Method 2: Use a microSD card reader (faster)
- Turn off the GoPro and remove the microSD card.
- Insert it into your PC’s card slot or a USB card reader.
- Open File Explorer, click the card (often called Removable Disk), and go to DCIM.
- Copy the .MP4 files to your PC.
This is usually much faster than a USB cable for large 4K and 5K files.
What are the LRV and THM files?
| File type | What it is | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| .MP4 | Your full-quality video | Yes, copy these |
| .LRV | A low-resolution preview used by the GoPro app | No |
| .THM | A small thumbnail image | No |
Long recordings are split into several MP4 files, called chapters (for example, GX010245 and GX020245). They play one after another, and you can join them in a video editor.
Method 3: Import with the Photos app
- Connect the GoPro or insert the card.
- Open the Photos app and click Import > From a connected device (or From a USB device).
- Choose the GoPro or card, select your videos, and click Import.
If GoPro videos won’t play on Windows 10
- No picture, only sound, or an error like 0xc00d5212. The video is HEVC (H.265). Install HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (Microsoft charges a small fee), or play it in VLC from videolan.org.
- Video stutters. Copy it to your PC instead of playing it from the camera. High frame-rate 4K or 5K video can also be too demanding for older PCs. VLC or a newer graphics driver may help.
- The GoPro doesn’t show up. Try a different cable and USB port, make sure the camera is on, and restart your PC. Some older models need you to confirm the USB connection on the camera screen.
- 360° videos (.360 files) look distorted. GoPro MAX and other 360 cameras record special files that need GoPro’s software or another 360 editor to view and export.
Set GoPro to record in a more compatible format
On many GoPro models you can switch the video codec in Preferences > General > Video Compression (or a similar menu). H.264 + HEVC or Most Compatible uses H.264 when possible, which plays on almost any PC. Some high resolutions and frame rates always use HEVC.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GoPro’s software to view videos on Windows 10?
No. File Explorer and Media Player or VLC are enough. GoPro’s apps are useful for editing, 360° video, and backing up to GoPro’s cloud, and the options change over time, so check GoPro’s website for what’s current.
Can I edit GoPro videos on Windows 10?
Yes. Clipchamp, which comes with recent versions of Windows, and free editors like DaVinci Resolve can trim and combine clips. HEVC files may need the HEVC extension for editing too.
Where does Windows save imported GoPro videos?
If you use the Photos app, they usually go to the Pictures folder in a subfolder named by date. If you copy them yourself, they go wherever you paste them.
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.