How to Play .MOV on Windows

You just got a video file from your friend. It ends in .MOV. Excitedly, you double-click it on your Windows PC… and nothing. Uh-oh.

No worries! We’re here to help. Playing a .MOV file on Windows is easier than baking cookies. Okay, almost. Let’s dive in and get your video playing smoothly.

What is a .MOV file anyway?

The .MOV format was created by Apple. It’s widely used on Macs and iPhones. But Windows doesn’t always know what to do with it.

If your Windows Media Player says “Can’t play this file”, don’t panic.

Option 1: Use VLC Media Player (The Superhero App)

This is by far the easiest and quickest way.

Why VLC? Because it plays almost every type of video. Including .MOV!

Steps:

• Go to the official VLC website (just search “VLC Player”).
• Download and install it. It’s free.
• Open VLC.
• Click Media → Open File.
• Select your .MOV file.
• Sit back and enjoy the show!

Tip: You can even right-click the .MOV file and choose Open with → VLC.

Option 2: Use Windows Media Player (With a Little Help)

Windows Media Player doesn’t support .MOV out of the box. But you can fix that!

How? Install a codec.

What’s a codec? Think of it as a translator. It tells your player how to read the .MOV file.

Steps:

• Search for K-Lite Codec Pack online (safe and widely used).
• Download and install it.
• Restart your PC (just in case).
• Try opening the .MOV again in Windows Media Player.

If successful — boom! Windows is now fluent in .MOV.

Option 3: Convert the File

Still having trouble? You can convert the video to a friendlier format like MP4.

Good tools for this:

• HandBrake (Free and powerful)
• Online converters (just search “Convert MOV to MP4 online”)

Steps with HandBrake:

• Download and install HandBrake.
• Open it and select your .MOV file.
• Choose output format: MP4
• Click Start Encode and wait.
• Done! You can now play the new MP4 file on anything.

Be careful online though. Pick trusted converters. Watch out for spammy ads or too-good-to-be-true services.

What if All Else Fails?

If the file still won’t play, it might be corrupted. Ask your friend to re-send it. Or try another player like PotPlayer or KMPlayer (both are free).

Bonus Tip: Set Default App

Tired of choosing a player every time?

Here’s how to pick a default:

• Right-click your .MOV file.
• Select Open with → Choose another app.
• Pick your favorite player (like VLC).
• Check the box that says Always use this app.
• Click OK.

Now double-click away, stress-free!

Wrapping it up

Playing a .MOV file on Windows doesn’t have to be a pain. Just remember:

• Use VLC for the easy fix.
• Add a codec if you love Windows Media Player.
• Convert the file if all else fails.

With these tricks, you’ll be the .MOV master before you can say “play video.”

Now grab your popcorn and enjoy that clip!