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Convert WMV to MP4 – Universal Video Playback

Convert Windows Media videos to MP4. Play your videos on any device, anywhere.

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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Windows Media Videos Not Playing?

You have WMV files from years of Windows use, but they won't play on your new Mac, iPhone, or Android phone. Windows Media Video was Microsoft's format—it works great on Windows but struggles everywhere else.

Converting to MP4 makes your videos universally playable. MP4 is the global standard that works on every smartphone, tablet, smart TV, and streaming platform made in the last two decades.

How to Convert WMV to MP4

Upload your WMV file – Drag and drop or select your Windows Media video
Confirm MP4 output – MP4 with H.264 encoding for maximum compatibility
Download your file – Get your video ready for any device or platform

Conversion happens in your browser. No Windows Media Player needed, no software to install.

Why WMV Needs Converting

WMV (Windows Media Video) was developed by Microsoft in 1999. While it served Windows users well, it has serious limitations today:

Mac incompatibility – macOS and QuickTime don't support WMV natively
Mobile devices – iPhones, iPads, and most Android phones won't play WMV
Social media rejection – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram don't accept WMV uploads
Smart TVs – Most streaming devices and TVs reject WMV files
Web browsers – HTML5 video doesn't support WMV playback

MP4 eliminates every one of these problems with true universal support.

WMV vs MP4: The Technical Difference

Understanding what you're converting helps set expectations:

WMV uses VC-1 or WMV9 codec – Microsoft's proprietary compression technology
MP4 typically uses H.264 codec – The industry standard with universal hardware support
File size comparison – Modern H.264 often produces smaller files at similar quality
Quality preservation – We use high-bitrate encoding to maintain visual fidelity

Both formats can deliver excellent video quality. The difference is compatibility—MP4 has it, WMV doesn't.

Common WMV Sources

Old Windows Movie Maker Projects

Windows Movie Maker exported to WMV by default. Those family videos and home movies from the 2000s are likely WMV files sitting on old hard drives.

Screen Recordings

Older Windows screen capture tools like Camtasia defaulted to WMV. Training videos and presentations may need converting for modern sharing.

Business Archives

Corporate video libraries often contain WMV files from the era when Windows dominated the workplace. Convert them for cross-platform access.

Downloaded Content

WMV was common for video downloads before MP4 became standard. Legacy media libraries often contain WMV files that need modernizing.

Quality and File Size

Converting WMV to MP4 with H.264 encoding typically results in:

Similar or smaller file size – H.264 is highly efficient compression
Maintained visual quality – High bitrate encoding preserves detail
Compatible audio – WMA audio converts to AAC, the MP4 standard

In our testing, a 500MB WMV file typically converts to a 400-500MB MP4 with no visible quality loss.

Play on Mac and iPhone

Apple devices have never supported WMV. If you switched from Windows to Mac or iPhone, your video library may be stuck in an incompatible format.

Converting to MP4 means:

QuickTime plays your videos natively
iPhone and iPad play without third-party apps
iMovie can edit your converted files
AirPlay streaming works perfectly

One conversion, permanent Apple compatibility.

Upload to Social Media

WMV files can't be uploaded to any major platform. MP4 is accepted everywhere:

YouTube – Recommends MP4 with H.264
Facebook – MP4 is the preferred format
Instagram – Requires MP4 for video posts
TikTok – MP4 uploads without issues
LinkedIn – Business videos need MP4

Convert your WMV to MP4 and share immediately on any platform.

Batch Convert Multiple Videos

Have an entire folder of WMV files from years of Windows use? Upload multiple videos and convert them all to MP4 in one batch. Modernize your entire video library efficiently.

Works on Any Device

Convert WMV to MP4 directly in your browser:

Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
iPhone, iPad, Android

Ironically, even Mac users can convert WMV files without installing Windows software.

Pro Tip

Check your WMV file's original resolution before converting. Older WMV files from Windows Movie Maker were often 640x480 or 720x480. Converting won't improve resolution—the MP4 will have the same dimensions as the source.

Common Mistake

Assuming all old videos are low quality. Many WMV files from the late 2000s were actually recorded in HD (1280x720 or higher). Don't discard them without checking—they may convert to excellent quality MP4.

Best For

Rescuing video archives from the Windows XP/Vista/7 era. Perfect for making old home movies playable on modern devices, sharing legacy content on social media, or accessing WMV files on Mac.

Not Recommended

Don't convert if you only watch videos on Windows with VLC Player. VLC handles WMV natively. Convert only when you need Mac/iPhone compatibility or want to upload to video platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apple never licensed Microsoft's WMV codecs. macOS and QuickTime have no native WMV support. Converting to MP4 gives you a format Mac handles natively.

With proper encoding, quality loss is minimal to undetectable. We use high-bitrate H.264 encoding that preserves visual fidelity. Most users see no difference.

Usually similar or slightly smaller. H.264 compression is very efficient. A 500MB WMV typically becomes a 400-500MB MP4 with equivalent quality.

Yes. MP4 with H.264 is the native video format for iOS. Your converted videos will play directly in Photos, Files, and any video app.

Legacy reasons. WMV was Microsoft's format from 1999-2010. Many people have video archives from that era. New content should use MP4.

Yes. YouTube specifically recommends MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio—exactly what our converter produces. Upload immediately after conversion.

WMV files typically contain WMA audio, which converts to AAC for the MP4. AAC is the standard audio codec for MP4 files and plays everywhere.

Browser-based conversion works well for files up to 1-2GB. For larger video files, conversion may take longer. Very large files might benefit from desktop software.

Yes. Our converter works in mobile browsers on both iPhone and Android. Upload your WMV, convert to MP4, and download—all on your phone.

No. Our converter works entirely in your browser without any plugins or software. You can convert WMV files even on Mac or Linux where Windows Media Player doesn't exist.