Playing Videos on Windows
Playing videos on a Windows PC should be straightforward, but there are times when a video simply won't play. You might assume that the file is damaged or corrupted, but often the issue is that the video was encoded using a codec or format that Windows does not support by default.
DVD playback can also be an issue on a fresh Windows installation. Microsoft removed built-in DVD playback support from Windows several years ago, so additional software may be required.
There are two tools I commonly recommend:
VLC Media Player
Download VLC Media PlayerK-Lite Codec Pack
Download K-Lite Codec Pack
When Should You Use VLC?
VLC Media Player should be your first choice if you simply want to play videos or audio files.
VLC is a standalone, open-source media player with built-in support for a very wide range of video and audio formats. It does not normally require you to install additional codecs.
Use VLC when:
A video does not play in Windows Media Player.
You want to play different video or audio formats.
You need to play DVDs or other media supported by VLC.
You want a simple, all-in-one media player.
You need to play network streams.
For most users, VLC alone is sufficient for everyday video and audio playback.
When Should You Use K-Lite Codec Pack?
K-Lite Codec Pack is useful when you want other Windows applications to support additional video and audio formats.
Unlike VLC, which primarily uses its own built-in decoding components, K-Lite installs codecs and related components that can be used by compatible applications that rely on system codecs.
Use K-Lite when:
A video needs to play inside another Windows application.
You use media applications that depend on system-installed codecs.
Windows Explorer or other applications need additional codec support.
You need more control over how different codecs and media formats are handled.
Which One Should You Install?
For the average Windows user, start with VLC. It is simpler and avoids changing the system-wide codec environment.
Install K-Lite Codec Pack when you specifically encounter a compatibility issue with another application that VLC cannot solve because the application requires system-level codec support.
You generally do not need to install both just to watch videos. Using VLC as your primary media player is usually the simplest approach, while K-Lite is more useful for specific compatibility requirements.
Updated as of September 2026.
