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Convert FLV to WMV - Play Flash Videos on Windows

Transform Flash video files into Windows Media format. Play legacy content on any Windows device.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

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Flash Videos That Won't Play?

You have FLV files from the early YouTube era, downloaded web videos, or archived Flash content. Now you try to play them and nothing works. Flash Player is gone, and Windows Media Player doesn't recognize the format.

Converting FLV to WMV solves this completely. WMV is Microsoft's native video format-Windows Media Player, Movies & TV app, and Xbox all play it without extra software. In our testing, WMV files opened instantly on every Windows 10 and 11 machine we tried.

How to Convert FLV to WMV

Upload your FLV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Flash video
Confirm WMV output - WMV is selected for Windows compatibility
Download your video - Your file is now ready for Windows Media Player

The entire process happens in your browser. No Flash Player required, no software to install.

Why FLV Stopped Working

FLV (Flash Video) was the dominant web video format from 2005 to 2015. YouTube, Vimeo, and countless websites used it. Then everything changed:

2017 - Apple never supported Flash on iOS, pushing HTML5 adoption
2020 - Adobe officially discontinued Flash Player
2021 - Major browsers removed Flash support entirely
Today - FLV files require conversion to play on modern systems

If you have archived FLV content, converting to WMV preserves it in a format that Windows will support for years to come.

FLV vs WMV: Technical Comparison

Both formats are video containers, but they serve different ecosystems:

FLV - Container using Sorenson Spark or VP6 codecs, designed for web streaming via Flash Player
WMV - Container using Windows Media Video codecs (WMV9, VC-1), optimized for Windows playback

WMV offers efficient compression with good quality. The format supports HD resolutions and integrates seamlessly with Windows applications. For Windows users, WMV provides the best native playback experience without third-party codecs.

When to Use This Conversion

Archived Web Videos

Downloaded videos from the Flash era sitting on an old hard drive? Convert them to WMV before attempting playback. Windows Media Player will handle them smoothly.

Corporate Training Materials

Many companies created e-learning content in Flash. Converting to WMV keeps that training material accessible on Windows workstations without security risks from legacy Flash installations.

Personal Video Collections

Home videos captured with older webcams or screen recorders often saved as FLV. WMV preserves these memories in a format your current PC can play.

Windows Media Center Libraries

Building a media library for Windows? WMV integrates perfectly with Windows media applications and Xbox consoles for living room playback.

Quality Considerations

FLV files vary widely in quality depending on their original source. Videos from early YouTube were often 240p or 360p-converting to WMV won't improve that resolution. However, if you have higher-quality FLV files, WMV preserves that quality well.

Our converter maintains the original video dimensions and applies appropriate WMV compression. For archival purposes, WMV9 codec provides excellent quality-to-size ratios.

Alternative Formats

WMV is ideal for Windows-only playback. For broader compatibility, consider these alternatives:

FLV to MP4 - Universal format for all devices, phones, and web
FLV to AVI - Wide compatibility with legacy software and hardware players
FLV to MKV - Best for high-quality archival with subtitle support

Choose WMV when Windows integration is your priority. Choose MP4 when you need the file to work everywhere.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
Tablets and smartphones

Convert your FLV files from any device. The resulting WMV files play on Windows machines, Xbox, and any software supporting Windows Media formats.

Pro Tip

Before converting archived FLV files, check the original source quality. Many Flash-era videos were compressed heavily for slow internet connections. If you have the option, look for higher-quality source files before converting.

Common Mistake

Assuming all FLV files are low quality. While many early web videos were 240p, some FLV files contain HD content. Check the file properties before deciding on output settings.

Best For

Windows users with archived Flash video content who want seamless playback in Windows Media Player without installing third-party codecs or dealing with compatibility issues.

Not Recommended

Cross-platform sharing. If you need videos that work on Mac, Linux, phones, and web browsers, convert to MP4 instead. WMV is specifically optimized for the Windows ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Windows Media Player doesn't support FLV format natively. You need to either install third-party codecs (which can be unreliable) or convert FLV to WMV for guaranteed playback.

The conversion preserves your original quality. However, many FLV files from the early web era were low resolution (240p-480p). Converting won't improve the source quality, but it won't degrade it either.

No. Our converter processes FLV files directly in your browser without Flash Player. Adobe discontinued Flash in 2020, and this tool provides a safe alternative for handling Flash video content.

Adobe discontinued Flash Player in December 2020 due to security concerns and the industry shift to HTML5. All major browsers removed Flash support, making FLV files unplayable without conversion.

Yes. Upload multiple FLV files and convert them all to WMV in a single batch. This is helpful when processing archived video collections.

Yes. Xbox consoles support WMV playback natively. This makes WMV a good choice for videos you want to watch on your TV through Xbox.

Both work well on Windows. WMV offers slightly better integration with Windows Media Player and older Microsoft software. MP4 offers broader compatibility across all devices and platforms.

No. The conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your FLV files stay on your device throughout the process, ensuring privacy for personal or sensitive video content.

Mac doesn't support WMV natively, but VLC Player handles WMV files well. If you need Mac compatibility, consider converting FLV to MP4 instead.