video format

What is a .WMV file?

WMV (Windows Media Video) is Microsoft's video format, once common on Windows for streaming and downloads, now largely replaced by MP4.

Full name
Windows Media Video
Developed by
Microsoft
Released
1999
Extension
.wmv
MIME type
video/wmv
Transparency
No

How to open a WMV file

WMV plays in Windows Media Player and VLC; convert to MP4 for phones, Macs and the web.

What WMV files are used for

Sharing & social

Clips that play on every platform.

Editing & post

Footage in production pipelines.

Streaming & web

Embedded and hosted playback.

Strengths & limitations

✔ Strengths✖ Limitations
Purpose-built for its nicheNo transparency support
Limited support — may need converting

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Frequently asked questions

WMV (Windows Media Video) is Microsoft's video format, once common on Windows for streaming and downloads, now largely replaced by MP4.

WMV plays in Windows Media Player and VLC; convert to MP4 for phones, Macs and the web.

WMV is optimised for its specific use rather than strictly lossless storage.

Use SharkFoto's free tools — upload your WMV file and convert it to a more convenient format in seconds. It's free, processed securely and never stored.

No — WMV doesn't store transparency; convert to PNG or WEBP if you need it.