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Why won't Movie Maker automatically download CODECs for me?

Anonymous
2013-03-28T14:43:44+00:00

I recently downloaded Windows Movie Maker 2.1.4026.0 for Windows 7 Home Premium.  When I attempt to import audio files (no matter what extensions they are), I get an error message saying that my computer does not have the correct CODEC.  The audio files that I have tried to import so far without success include MPG, WMA, WAV, and others.

I then noticed that I could check to allow "automatic CODEC download" on the Movie Maker options page.  So I checked that automatic download option, but then when I tried to import my audio files, I once again got the same error message saying that my computer does not have the required CODEC, without any reference to the fact that I had selected the option for Movie Maker to download the CODEC for me.

Any help would be appreciated, since I can so far find no way to import audio files into Movie Maker. 

Thanks!

Brian

PS Most of these audio files were created in Mixcraft and I have been using them for years without problems.

Windows for home | Other | Music, photos, and video

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-30T09:11:51+00:00

    I second considerate_guy's suggestion of using system restore to remove the codec pack.

    I might even suggest using it to go back to before the installation of Movie Maker.

    If all worked prior to this install, it could be that the programme had malware in it and has caused the problems.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-03-29T21:06:58+00:00

    You can be heading down a really slippery slope when you download codec packs from the internet.  Codec packs have historically been a method for nefarious people to add malware to your system, to change your browser settings, etc., so I would be very careful before doing so.  In the best case it fixes your issue.  But in the worst case it leaves your computer with a bunch of codecs all competing to be the one to decode a certain file.  You can actually break working videos and music (as you have discovered).

    I would suggest at this point that you may want to do a System Restore back to before you did the download of the codec pack(s).  Additionally, I'm not sure where you got a 2.1 to be installed on Windows 7, but there is no Microsoft sanctioned installer for putting the old XP version on Windows 7.  The preferred path is to install the latest Movie Maker 2012 that is part of Windows Essentials.  If you want a classic version, you should either look at WMM 2.6 or WMM 6.0 instead of WMM 2.1.

    As for video and music files that are having problem in Movie Maker, I prefer to convert the files to known file types rather than fiddling with codecs, filters, etc.  If you convert all your video to .wmv (using something like Freemake Video Converter) you have a better chance of being able to edit in Movie Maker.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-03-29T19:07:01+00:00

    Thanks, Skier & Helene:

    Things have deteriorated, I'm afraid.  I downloaded a pack of CODECS. But I still got the same error messages  after doing so (plus the download program switched my search toolbar to Yahoo!)

    Something weird is going on, because when I try mp3's that I bought online (rather than one's that Ic created in MixCraft), i get a message saying that the file appears to be damaged or invalid.

    Miscraft says that is has "LAME provided by Ogg Vorbis" -- I guess I'll try the "fix-it" tool next.

    Thanks for your help.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-03-29T16:38:28+00:00

    Hello Brian,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community forum. Let me help you with that. In addition to skier-hughes' post, ensure that you have the proper codecs to play your videos and audio files.Audio and Video require codecs to play the file and it’s important to have the right codecs installed or updated in your PC.

    • You may try fixing bad codecs by referring to this link: Microsoft FixIt tool
    • Media info will be able to identify any issues with missing or faulty codecs and whether it’s already installed in your computer or not. Get here.

    Note: If can't find the codec, you may convert the video to a supported format (eg. wmv) and then add it to your Windows Live Movie Maker project.

    Good luck and let me know how it turns out for you.

    Thank you!

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-03-29T10:36:12+00:00

    What happens when you try to use files not made with Mixcraft?

    EG the sample audio files in windows?

    Do these files play ok in WMP?

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