For some stupid reason Microsoft decided to remove the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) CODEC from recent Windows 10 builds. The H.265 CODEC used to be included free with Windows 10, but to add insult to injury, Microsoft now wants to charge you $0.99 for the formerly free CODEC.

Thankfully there is a way to download the CODEC for free. I found this solution on the Barnacules Nerdgasm YouTube channel where he explained the problem and solution in the following video:

The advice from Barnacules was a real godsend and is very helpful.

The App on the Microsoft Store is called the HEVC Video Extensions from the Device Manufacturer. Unfortunately you can not search for the App in the store, but need to link directly to it as it is usually provided only to OEM builders, and Microsoft would rather you purchase the $0.99 App, rather than use the free app. You can download the free CODEC App from the Microsoft Store by following this link, http://bit.ly/freehevc.

Taken from the Microsoft Store the app is described as:

Play High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) videos in any video app on your Windows 10 device. These extensions are designed to take advantage of hardware capabilities on some newer devices—including those with an Intel 7th Generation Core processor and newer GPU to support 4K and Ultra HD content. For devices that don’t have hardware support for HEVC videos, software support is provided, but the playback experience might vary based on the video resolution and PC performance. These extensions also let you encode HEVC content on devices that don’t have a hardware-based video encoder.

Thank you Banrancules for finding this, it is big help for those of us who, like you, don’t want to give more money to Microsoft…