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What is the HEVC Video Extension & the VP9 Video Extension for?

BARRY G. VARGUS Sr 160 Reputation points
2026-05-28T02:45:23.0866667+00:00

I updated the apps in the Microsoft Store earlier today and noticed something. I've been using Windows for 26 years, and I have always seen HEVC Video Extension. I've noticed the VP9 Video Extension also. After I don't know how many years had passed, I finally opened the VP9 Video Extension. It opened the Movies and TV app. I still have no idea what the VP9 Video Extension does. Then I decided to open the HEVC Video Extension, and it also opened the Movies and TV app. Still, I have no idea what the HEVC Video Extension does. The Movies and TV app is deprecated and useless. Do I need either the HEVC Video Extension or the VP9 Video Extension for anything? Can I uninstall them?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Microsoft Store
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Paulo GM 66,985 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-28T03:29:19.6+00:00

Hi,

The AI answer explained their purpose correctly. It’s best to keep them installed since they help videos play properly on your system. If you remove those codecs, some videos may stop playing or have playback issues.

In addition to that, some apps and websites, including YouTube, also use these codecs for streaming and video playback. Keeping them installed helps avoid compatibility issues and makes sure different video formats work as expected.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-05-28T02:45:55.6833333+00:00

    HEVC Video Extension and VP9 Video Extension are codec packs that add support for specific video formats to Windows so that apps (including Media Player, Movies & TV, browsers, and other Store apps) can play those formats.

    Details:

    1. Purpose of HEVC Video Extension
    • Adds support for HEVC (H.265) video decoding in Windows.
    • Required for playing HEVC-encoded content, including many HDR and 4K videos.
    • Specifically called out as required for HDR video playback and for services like Netflix HDR when using Windows, together with a compatible GPU and subscription.
    • Once installed, apps that rely on the Windows codec stack (Media Player, Movies & TV, other Store apps) can open and play HEVC video files.
    1. Purpose of VP9 Video Extension
    • Adds support for the VP9 video format.
    • Required for playing VP9-encoded content, including HDR video on YouTube.
    • After installation, apps that use Windows codecs can play VP9 video streams.
    1. Why opening them launches Movies & TV
    • These extensions are not standalone apps; they are codec components packaged as Store apps.
    • When “opened” from Start/Store, they typically just hand off to a video app (like Movies & TV) because their function is to provide decoding capability, not a user interface.
    1. Do they need to be installed?
    • They are needed only if there is video content encoded in HEVC or VP9 that should be played using Windows apps that depend on system codecs (for example, HDR video from Netflix or YouTube, or local HEVC/VP9 files).
    • Without them, those formats may fail to play or may fall back to other formats if available.
    1. Can they be uninstalled?
    • They can be uninstalled like other Store apps.
    • If uninstalled, Windows and apps that rely on these codecs will lose the ability to play HEVC or VP9 content unless another codec or player that includes its own decoders is used.

    In short: they are safe to remove if HEVC/VP9 content is never played with Windows’ built-in media stack, but they are required for system-wide support of those formats, especially for HDR video scenarios.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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