How to Play .MOV File on Windows 10?

Jack

By Jack

Update on

how to play mov files on windows 10

.MOV files cannot be opened on all media players. If you would like to learn how to play MOV files on Windows 10, then this article is for you.

There are no other options when it comes to online streaming today. Even if you plan to head out on a road trip and you will have no access to the internet, you can easily download the videos you want to watch while traveling.

However, when it comes to downloading the videos and watching them offline, some problems might occur. Imagine a situation when you decide to head to the back of the car and are about to start watching a movie, and the video file will not play.

While there are many types of video formats, we will stick to the .MOV files for this article. To play this file, you will require a very specific video player that is not pre-installed in your Windows 10 system.

Here, we will learn how to open .MOV file.

.MOV File – What is It?

Before we get into the gist of learning how to open & play MOV files on Windows, let us first get into the basics. In most cases, movies and videos are stored in your computer system under the .MOV extension. This file extension is very common and recognizable.

The .MOV file format was first created by Apple and is compatible with Mac as well as Windows. However, you will have to use the Quicktime Player to play the .MOV files on your Windows system.

Quicktime Player is a media player that is pre-installed in Mac systems; however, it can also be downloaded and used on your Windows system. You should know that .MOV files cannot be opened via Windows Media Player (except for version 12); hence, you will only have to use the Quicktime Player to play .MOV files.

Additionally, DRM (Digital Rights Management) is known to cause additional issues if you want to stream pirated or copyrighted content.

In this section, we look into two important methods that can help you learn more about how to open & play MOV files on Windows 10:

Method 1: Opening .MOV Files on Quicktime Player

Downloading Quicktime Player

For Windows users, please download the video player from the official Apple website. However, you need to remember that Apple has stopped updating the Quicktime Player post-2016.

This means that you will have the option of running only the older version, which is not good news since it could lead to potential security exploits.

If you agree to do so, the method of downloading Quicktime Player is as follows:

1: Once you visit the Apple website, look for Quicktime Player. After you find it, tap on the Download button.

Downloading Quicktime Player

2: A pop-up will open where you have to tap on Save File to download the installation file.

Save Quicktime Player Install Exe File

3: Open the file where the installation file has been downloaded and double-tap on the file.

Quicktime Player Downloaded

4: Once the installer opens, agree to the license agreement.

agree to the license agreement

5: Finally, follow all the steps mentioned on the screen, and Quicktime Player will be installed in your system.

Install Quicktime Player

Using Quicktime Player

Once the video player has been downloaded and installed in your system, you simply need to follow the below simple guide to understand how to use it:

1: You can head over to the Start Menu and open the Quicktime Player directly. Alternatively, you can also head to the .MOV file you want to open and right-click on it.

Next, you need to tap on Open With and then on Quicktime Player.

Using Quicktime Player

2: Next, you need to tap on File and then on Open File.

Open File using Quicktime Player

3: Look For The File You Want To Open; select it and tap on Open. The file should load normally on Quicktime Player.

Open File using Quicktime Player

Method 2: Using Windows Media Player to Open .MOV Files

As mentioned previously, the latest version 12 of Windows Media Player allows users to play .MOV files. Thankfully, this media player is already installed in your Windows system.

Now, let us learn how to open .MOV file via Windows Media Player:

1: You can type in Windows Media Player on the Start Search menu to open the app. Tap on the icon once you see it.

Using Windows Media Player to Open .MOV Files

2: Click the Alt and H buttons together and then tap on About Windows Media Player.

About Windows Media Player

3: If you are using version 12 Windows Media Player, it will show on the next pop-up. This means that you can play .MOV files.

Or else, you will have to use any of the other methods discussed further or simply update your Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player

4: You will have to right-click on the video you want to play on Windows Media Player and tap on the Play button.

Using Windows Media Player to Open .MOV Files

Also read: Top best video players for Windows 10 & 11.


What Should You Do if Unable to Open .MOV File on Windows Media Player?

It will be annoying if you are unable to open the .MOV file on your Windows Media Player. Or, you are thinking of sharing the file with your friends, and they are unable to open it on their computers.

Under this condition, it is recommended that you convert the .MOV file into formats and codecs that Windows Media Player supports; some of the formats and codecs include .WMV, .MPG, .MPEG, .ASF, .AVI, etc.

To do this, you can utilize certain tools. This article will only talk about a brilliant software called Wondershare UniConverter.

Originally called Wondershare Video Converter Ultimate, the tool’s interface is quite sleek and simple. You will be able to quickly convert files into formats that can easily be played in Windows 7/8/10.

Let Us Look into Some Features of UniConverter:

  • Can play .MOV files on any Windows system and Mac computer smoothly and quickly
  • Edit any video file to apply effects, watermarks, rotate, crop, or trim
  • Can easily convert files with 30x faster conversion speed
  • Provides additional features like Fixing Media Metadata, GIF Maker, VR Converter, Screen Recorder, etc.
  • Support available for all Mac and Windows OSs

In addition, what is the best way to convert HEVC to MOV?

How Can You Play .MOV Files With the Help of UniConverter?

Wondershare UniConverter is considered a great choice if you want to learn how to open MOV files on Windows 10 and macOS. The steps to convert .MOV files into a compatible file for Windows Media Player are:

  1. You first need to import the .MOV file into the UniConverter tool.
  2. You have the option to play and edit the .MOV files as well.
  3. You need to select the right output file that is compatible with Windows Media Player.
  4. This will start the conversion process.

1: Adding the .MOV Files

Once you have downloaded and installed the Wondershare UniConverter, you can either head over to the File menu, tap on the Add Files option, and select the .MOV files or simply drag and drop them into the program. An additional tip is that you can add multiple .MOV files at once.

Adding the .MOV Files

Optional: Edit and Playing .MOV Videos  

Once you have added the .MOV files into the UniConverter, you will see the thumbnails on the tool’s interface. Here, you can start playing the file that Windows Media Player is unable to play.

Additionally, you also have the choice to make changes to the video, like rotate or crop, simply by tapping on the Edit icon.

Edit and Playing .MOV Videos  

2: Select the Appropriate Output Format

Next to the Output Format button, you will see an arrowhead pointing downwards. This will open a new list where you must select the appropriate output file format.

Here, let’s consider WMV, a friendly format for Windows Media Player. Also, you need to select a video resolution.

Convert Mov to other Video format

Tip: It is recommended that you first preview your videos before the final conversion process so that you have an idea of how much you need to compress the file without having to compromise the quality of the video.

3: Converting The File For Windows Media Player

This is the final step of learning how to play MOV files on Windows 10. Here, you need to tap on the Start All button, and the UniConverter program will start converting the videos immediately. After finishing the conversion, you can find the finished files on the Finished tab.

Converting The File For Windows Media Player

Tip: With the help of Wondershare UniConverter, you will be able to convert .MOV files into various other formats like M4V and MP4 formats. This means you can also view the videos on your mobile devices. You also have the option to change viewing formats as well, like HD, 3D, etc.

Beside, learn more about how to repair video on mac.


Other Methods To Open .MOV Files: VLC Player

There is no doubt that VLC Player is one of the most common applications we use to open video files. Both Mac and Windows users can utilize this tool.

VLC Player is an open-source program that is free to use and available for all sorts of file formats, including MP4, AVI, and of course, MOV files.

To find out how to open MOV files on Windows and Mac, you can do so with VLC Player. This tool is quite safe and will not compromise the security of your system.

All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned below if you want to learn how to open and play MOV files on Windows 10:

Step #1: First, download the VLC installer package on your computer from the official VLC website.

Step #2: Once downloaded, you need to launch the installer and follow all the instructions you see on-screen. This will install VLC Player on your computer.

Step #3: Open the VLC Player and tap on the Files option.

Step #4: Next, click on Open Files and select the .MOV file you want to view.

Using VLC Player to Open .MOV Files on Windows

Step #5: Or, you could simply head over directly to the video, right-click on it, and select VLC Player as the default media player.

If you have followed all the steps mentioned above, you will learn how to open and play MOV files on Windows 10 and watch any video with no hassles.

Another great benefit of VLC Player is that you also have the choice to convert video files to different formats. This means that you can convert the .MOV file into something else if you want to watch movies on your mobile phones or tablets.

Besides, let’s figure out how to watch videos on VLC frame by frame.


Watching .MOV Videos on Mobile Devices

Now that you know how to play MOV files on Windows 10 and Mac devices, it is time to learn how you can watch .MOV videos on your mobile devices.

As mentioned previously, VLC is considered the next best choice for Windows and Mac devices. However, you can also download its official mobile application for the same purpose.

Watching .MOV Videos on Mobile Devices

The VLC mobile app is fitted with a wide range of features like an audio player, equalizer, and a complete database. You will be able to play audio and video files, network streams, and DVDs with ease. The app can also play file formats like AVI, AAC, FLAC, OGG, MOV, MKV, etc.

Additionally, the app also includes codecs of the files so that you do not have to download them separately. Overall, this is considered the best answer to the question of how to open and play MOV files on your mobile device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I play .MOV files on Windows 10 without installing additional software?

A1. Yes, by using third-party media players such as VLC Media Player or MPC-HC, you can play .MOV files without installing additional software.

Q2. Why does Windows 10 not support .MOV files by default?

A2. Windows 10 does not natively support .MOV files due to differences in video codecs and formats used by Apple and Microsoft.

Q3. Are there any risks in downloading and installing codec packs?

A3. It is generally safe to download and install codec packs from reputable sources. However, exercise caution and ensure you download from trusted websites to avoid any potential security risks.

Q4. Can I convert .MOV files back to their original format after conversion?

A4. Once a .MOV file is converted to another format, it may lose some of the original quality and features. It is recommended to keep a backup of the original file if you wish to revert the conversion.

Q5. Can I play .MOV files on Windows 10 mobile devices?

A5. Windows 10 mobile devices do not natively support .MOV files. However, you can use third-party media players or conversion methods to play .MOV files on mobile devices.

Conclusion

Playing .MOV files on Windows 10 may require additional steps due to the format’s compatibility with the operating system. However, with the methods outlined in this article, you can easily overcome any playback issues and enjoy your .MOV videos on your Windows 10 computer.

Whether you choose to use third-party media players, install codecs, convert the files, or utilize video editing software, you now have the knowledge to play .MOV files hassle-free.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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