To play a .MOV file on Windows 10, right-click it and select Open with > Movies & TV. Most .MOV files play in the apps built into Windows 10. If you see an error or hear sound with no picture, the video was probably recorded in HEVC (common on newer phones), and you need the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
Open the file in Movies & TV
- Open File Explorer and find the .MOV file.
- Right-click it and select Open with > Movies & TV.
- To open .MOV files this way every time, select Open with > Choose another app, pick Movies & TV, check Always use this app to open .mov files, and select OK. See how to set default apps in Windows 10.
You can also try Windows Media Player from the same Open with list.
If the video won’t play
If Movies & TV shows an error like “This item was encoded in a format that’s not supported,” the file needs a codec that Windows 10 doesn’t include.
- Open Microsoft Store and search for HEVC Video Extensions.
- Install it. Microsoft may charge a small fee.
- Open the .MOV file again.
Only get codecs from the Microsoft Store or another trusted source. Free “codec packs” from random websites can cause problems.
Play it with VLC
VLC media player is free and plays almost every .MOV file, including HEVC videos, without installing any extra codecs. Download it from the official VideoLAN website, then right-click the file and select Open with > VLC media player. To make VLC the default for .MOV files, use Choose another app and tick Always use this app.
Convert .MOV to MP4 if you need to
Some websites, older TVs and editing apps only accept MP4. To convert, open the video in Clipchamp, Microsoft’s free video editor, and select Export. It saves an MP4 file. VLC can also convert: select Media > Convert / Save, add the file, and choose an MP4 profile. Converting creates a new file and leaves the original untouched.
Other things to try
- If the file came from a phone, check the camera settings on the phone for a more compatible video format for future videos.
- If the video is sideways, see how to rotate a video in Windows 10.
- To cut out part of the video, see how to trim a video in Windows 10.
If the .MOV file itself is damaged
When a video won’t play in any app, including VLC, the file may be incomplete rather than unsupported. Signs include a file size far smaller than expected, a length of 0:00, or playback that always stops at the same point.
- Copy the video from the original source again. Interrupted USB transfers and unfinished downloads are the most common cause.
- For iPhone videos stored in iCloud, make sure the full original has downloaded, not just a preview. In iCloud for Windows, right-click the file and select Always keep on this device.
- If a recording stopped suddenly, for example when a camera battery died, the file may be missing the data players need to open it. Keep the original and try a video repair tool from a reputable maker, working on a copy.
Troubleshooting
- Sound but no picture. The video is HEVC. Install HEVC Video Extensions from Microsoft Store, or play it in VLC.
- Picture but no sound. Some cameras record audio in formats Movies & TV can’t play. Try VLC.
- The video stutters. 4K or high-frame-rate videos need a newer graphics chip. Update the graphics driver, or play a lower-resolution copy.
- “This file isn’t playable” or the file is 0 KB. The copy didn’t finish. Copy it from the phone or camera again.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .MOV file?
It’s a video file format first made for QuickTime. Many phones and cameras save videos as .MOV.
Do I need to convert .MOV to MP4?
Usually not. Once the right codec is installed, Windows 10 plays .MOV files as they are.
Is it safe to install codec packs?
Stick to Microsoft Store extensions or a well-known player like VLC. Codec packs from unknown sites can come with unwanted software.
Can QuickTime play .MOV files on Windows 10?
Apple no longer updates QuickTime for Windows and doesn’t recommend installing it. Use Movies & TV, Windows Media Player or VLC instead.
Why does my iPhone video play fine on the phone but not on the PC?
The iPhone records in HEVC to save space, and Windows 10 needs an extra extension to play it. Install HEVC Video Extensions, or set the iPhone camera to Most Compatible for future videos.
How do I send a .MOV file to someone without a PC?
Share it through OneDrive or another cloud service. Phones and browsers can play most .MOV files directly from a link.
Microsoft’s reference is Codecs FAQ. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.