What is WMV File Format and How to Open It

Nataliia Paraskeva Jun 24, 2025

WMV is a widely used format that was introduced by Microsoft in 1999. The WMV file type is designed to compress audio and video files, providing twice as much compression as the similar MPEG 4 format. As a result, it’s the ideal format for users looking for a way to easily share compressed media online. The extra compression does lead to a certain loss in quality.

However, given the impressive levels of compression and the added convenience this provides, WMV is still a very widely used format. Given the likelihood that you’ve already got numerous WMV files saved in your library, it’s worth investing in a player such as Elmedia Player that lets you make use of this format. The Elmedia WMV player for Mac can handle WMV, as well as a huge range of other file types.

Playing files with wmv file extension on Mac

Table of Contents

The Two Kinds of WMV
How to Open a WMV File
- Playing WMV on Windows
- How to Open WMV on macOS
  - How to Play WMV on Mac with Elmedia
Other players You Could Use to Play WMV
How to Convert WMV Files
More Information on WMV Files

The Two Kinds of WMV

Because "WMV" has a double meaning, it's recommended that you read the text below to discern between an MKV video file and an .mkv container.

As a Video Encoder

A codec is a program used to compress or extract video and audio data. Depending on its role, it can be either an encoder or a decoder. A good codec will save space, and a better one will minimize quality losses. Usually, it's a trade-off between quality and compression levels, but over time, there is always some improvement. There are separate codecs for video and audio, so to combine them, the two media types are stored together in a container. WMV uses various video codecs (compression/decompression algorithms), including the original WMV codec, WMV Screen, and WMV Image.

As a Container File

Container files are used for their convenience. One of their obvious benefits is that you don't have to open video and audio tracks separately. They are also useful because of other features, such as subtitles, and storing multiple different audio tracks (for example, in different languages). The container itself also holds information on its contents, such as their codecs. The .wmv container format is a subtype of .asf, and it usually contains WMV-encoded video and WMA audio. File extensions are mainly used by humans; a format, if it's needed, is usually coded into the file. A .wmv and an .asf are virtually the same, as long as they contain the same set of video and audio files. Of course, there are also different formats of containers.

User scenario:

Help! I can usually find out how to work problems out on my computer, but I can't understand how to do this. My friend sent me a video of her vacation and I'm trying to open the video. They're in different parts. The format is .wmv.001-12 and I don't know how to view them! — Tech Support Guy

How to Open a WMV File

The WMV format is more familiar to Windows users, since it’s native to the system. Some of your older files might be encoded this way. To avoid losing data, we’ll give you some recommendations on how to open Windows Media Video. Whether you’re on Android, on Windows, or on macOS, these solutions will help you run WMV.

Playing WMV on Windows

WMV is easy to play on this system, since the default player - Windows Media Player - is fully compatible with this format. Just find the file and double-click it, and it should open. Since WMP is an optional feature, make sure to check that it’s enabled in "Settings - Apps and Features - Manage Optional Features".

Pros

Completely free
Pre-installed with Windows operating systems
Simple and user-friendly interface
Supports a wide range of audio and video formats

Cons

Lacks advanced features
Some media files are not supported by WMP

How to Open WMV on macOS

Support for WMV is not native on macOS, but achievable through the use of third-party video players. Elmedia Player is one of the best WMV player out there - it has playlist and bookmark support, a video tuner, and audio equalizer. The player also supports a wide range of formats including WMV, MKV, AVI, MP4, and others without requiring any additional codecs. Elmedia stands out for its streaming capabilities: you can stream local files via DLNA, AirPlay, or Chromecast, allowing you to view content on smart TVs.

Pros

Ability to play a broad range of media formats
Hardware acceleration technologies
Friendly and convenient UI
Various playback enhancements

Cons

Only available for macOS

How to Play WMV on Mac with Elmedia

1. Download the Elmedia Player.

2. Install and launch Elmedia Player.

3. Use one of these ways to open the WMV::

Click-and-drag the .wmv to the player window, or the Launcher icon.
Right-click a .wmv in Finder and use the "Open With" function.
In Elmedia itself, use File - Open and select the file.

Other players You Could Use to Play WMV

There are plenty of alternative third party players you can use to enjoy your WMV files. The following are a few of the best options out there to play WMV on Mac:

VLC Player. This open source player can handle a range of different file types, and offers a selection of features that make it straightforward and easy to use.
Switch Player. Switch is a media player for macOS that is designed for media professionals and supports a wide range of file formats, offering playback, and conversion capabilities.
5KPlayer. It offers many of the same functions as other players, though it does have a certain amount of popups and advertising which most users will probably find irritating.
IINA Player. IINA provides a number of different customisation features, providing you with an interface that is both usable and stylish. In terms of functions it’s got plenty of handy options.

How to Convert WMV Files

However, if you want to convert WMV, the following are some possible tools you can use for the task:

Movavi. Movavi is available in a free mode, which lets you get to grips with the software. For full usability you need to invest in the paid version.
Wondershare Uniconverter. It doesn’t offer anything incredible, but can handle plenty of different file types and converts fairly quickly.
MiniTool Video Converter. MiniTool offers high conversion speeds, as well as the option of converting in batch, letting you deal with a large number of files at once.

More Information on WMV Files

WMV video streams are packaged in ASF containers, despite having the .wmv file type.
WMV encoded video can also be stored in Matroska files and AVI.
WMV can contain DRM - for example, files from the Zune marketplace can't be played on other systems.
Besides video, a .wmv file can contain a slideshow or a screencast.
WMV file format is based on MPEG-4, one of its primary competitors.
Microsoft uses DRM-enabled WMV as a standard for video distribution, especially time-limited subscription-based services.

What is the WMV format good for?

High compression ratio, for faster streaming and easier storage. Reportedly, twice as high as MPEG-4.
WMV files are often used for sharing videos on various platforms, including HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs.
Specifically, it's a good choice for an email attachment. It also used to be supported by Silverlight, but the plugin was discontinued.
If your video has a WMV file extension, it certainly runs on any Windows-powered device.
High backward compatibility, especially for MS software.
It's a proprietary, commercially developed format, likely to be of high quality.
Online playback supported by Google Drive.
Can be processed in most video converters.

The Disadvantages of WMV format

Low compatibility with non-Microsoft systems. However, on Apple products, there are some popular solutions, such as QuickTime with Flip4Mac, and ShredWorx Smart Converter.
Brutal DRM. Microsoft peppers its media with multiple types of copy protection, locking videos down to specific times, places, and devices.
When decoding the video, many players can lag and stutter. It’s quite CPU-intensive.
"WMV" can refer either to the video codec, or a file format, which can have a different encoding. This leads to confusion, and a video player or a converter might fail to recognize a .wmv file.

FAQ

Here you can find the answers on what is a WMV file and how you can play it. If you still have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will answer as soon as possible.

Can QuickTime open WMV files?

Not really, Quicktime player can't open WMV. Though, since it's such a popular format, this can be solved in a few ways.

On one hand, you can use a third-party app to play your WMV. Some popular choices are Elmedia, VLC, or 5KPlayer. Either will do it, with varying quality. This WMV player Mac application is the premium choice, by far the most stable.

On the other hand, you could use a converter. Online or offline, both have their time to shine. Earlier, we have suggested https://convert-video-online.com , it ought to be a good experience.

Why is the WMV file not playing on Mac?

There are several reasons why a WMV file may not play: missing or outdated codecs, file corruption, or incompatibility with the media player. Try to eliminate the causes: for example, download the appropriate codecs, repair the file, or try a media player that is compatible with this format, such as Elmedia Player or VLC.

Are WMV files safe?

Yes, WMV files are generally safe, but they can contain malware if they have been downloaded from unreliable sources or exploit vulnerabilities in media players. Therefore, before downloading WMV files, make sure that the website is trustworthy.

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Requirements: OS X 10.12+

Latest version

Latest version: v8.22(3448), released 20 Jun, 2025 Release notes