Windows Media Player .flac
Answer
Hello L Goldfine,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The Flac extension is not a supported file type of Windows Media Player. You may however user your favorite search engine to search for a solution that may convert the file to a Windows Media Player supported file type.
For more information on Windows Media Player supported file types you may also view the following link:
Information about the Multimedia file types that Windows Media Player supports
I hope this information is helpful.
Thank you,
Mary
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our
Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us
11 people found this helpful
I am usually a big Microsoft fan I write. Net Apps for a living but you have got to be kidding me. In this day and age you want people to convert their files to lossy formats because WMP doesn t support free formats. That is totally ridiculous.
-Jonathan
-Jonathan
417 people found this helpful
Agreed, that is extremely lame. Get it, LAME. C mon, include support for formats that exist, don t tell us to convert to a crappy WMP format, or MP3, or even WAV.
23 people found this helpful
Timit adds them fine, but will not play them. I m past this nowno more MP12 on my machine. I m using old software that plays them without issue. It s just laughable that MS refuses to support this due to some vendetta they have with the developers.
Small minded and egotistical. Ah wellI feel better now.
Be the first person to mark this helpful
good day to you all. you could also try vlc. from
hope that helps.
1 person found this helpful
First of all, FLAC Rocks. most of my music is FLAC, and it sounds better in my sound system.
although i mostly use other players for FLAC, u can play flac on media player 12 quite easily:
all u need to do is to download the codec pack from
then, u open the Setting Apllication of the coded pack, then tick V in shark007 SUGGESTED setting at the bottom of the window. and Tadda. Now u can play FLAC on windows media player 12
Just want to say this worked for me. I have windows 7, 64 bit edition. I downloaded the file installed it and now works with my windows media player, thank you so much.
Just want to add to anyone using a similar spec as me, It should work.
I downloaded a codec from and it works in media player flawlessly and losslessly. Now I am looking for the tag add on so I can catalog my files as well.
AhmadAW
Microsoft won t answer with anything that is not a Microsoft product. There are lots of answers to get WMP to play flacthe one I use is madFlac..works fine. After downloading for free, extract all files and install. Works just fine.
I totally agree. It would be the easiest thing for WMP to fully support flac. Can you imagine how much musical information is being lost the world over because of suggestions like this.
All you ve done is make it impossible for audiophiles to use WMP.
I just found this by searching as I wanted to play FLAC files on WMP too.
Instead of messing about trying to make it play them by manually installing codecs, I m just going to use VLC Player.
I don t know what happened, I didn t do anything or change anything or install any plugin. I practically did nothing. I was just reading this forum, remembered I had a flac and tried to play it in WMP. I am on windows 8 if that makes any difference. I m
on 12.0.9200.16578. When I opened the file, it asked me in which program it wanted me to open, I selected windows media player and voila, it started playing. I installed the Media Player classic codec sometime back not sure if that helps. I m happy :
For those searching for WMP FLAC support try the XIPH.ORG site.
Happy Listening.
2 people found this helpful
Download and install K-lite codecs pack. during the installation chose WMP for the codecs you want it to have access to. My Windows Media Player will play Flac, Alac, Ra, Wav all of your popular Lossless formats. However meta data may not read as well
with these formats, in Windows Media Player; unless you also install WMP tag Plus. If you are only interested in the codecs you can skip the other tag plugin.
Calvin Singleton
Foobar2000. Best Windows music player out there.
K-lite codec pack is one option to play FLAC with WMP and a better one overall would be to install
shark007 codec pack
To receive the full advantage of FLAC or anything else in sound quality, you really need a decent sound card and quality speakers, as the quality of any sound is only as good as it s weakest link. In Computers it s the lack of a sound card and usually
the pathetic speaker quality inbuilt or attached.
A quality PC speaker system needs a quality sound card or they are a waste of money. FLAC needs both.
Sorry if I appeared in my reply to suggest that the shark007 codecs pack is not a additional choice. That was not my intention. I went to the site to read about it after your post. I am assuming; and maybe I am wrong to assume that someone who would post
at Microsoft on how to play FLAC files in Windows Media Player; is not familiar with what is available. Someone who is more advanced on knowing that there are other formats that reproduce music without any loss of the original recording. I did not find my
answer at Microsoft, would have never thought to look there. The original post I replied to was posted in 2010. So what I am saying since I often post answers and have questions, is that most people who ask questions about Lossless audio reproduction are often
just getting into it, and do not understand what all the terminology or even understand what codecs are. So I try to keep it simple. And I think that K-Lite is very simple, does not require a lot of thinking to install it just follow the suggestions the program
makes. That is my objective in giving my answer and opinion. Correction K-Lite installs Media Player Classic by default not Real Player. To a novice that could be a plus, since you cannot play Blu-ray in Windows Media Player without an additional player
for Blu-ray. Knowledgeable people know how to install the codecs to get around those issues. But for someone who does not know about codecs just wants to be able to have options outside of WAV MP3. K-lite is simple for them.
razzell2
replied on
Your link does not exist. :
Thats a bummer because you made it seem so simple to make my flac files play on my wmp.
All I had to do was click on the link. Now I dont know what to do.
Ruined my entire day, hitmouse :
No question is stupid.
Especially where Microsoft Windows is concerned. ;
Abuse history
Thanks for the heads-up about your codec experiences and yes, there is nothing simple about understanding codec packs, nor is there really any need to. Just install and play.
Regardless that K-Lite now installs Media Player Classic by default and not Real Player, the thread starter asks:
How to play FLAC with WMP 12, not MPC nor RP.
Installing Shark007 is actually simpler than K-lite to install. I ve used both to compare them so time ago and unless you install Shark yourself, implying that it s complex to install is a bit unfair. There is no setting up, just install will install
default settings and forget. WMP is set as the default player.
Ok, leefrost, help me to understand this
I want my Windows Media Player to play my FLAC music files.
First of all, I run Vista and have WMP 11. Will these codecs work with v11 as well as 12.
Your saying that if I install the Shark007 free codec, my wmp will play my flac music files, and the install is easy and I will be able to easily recognize any attempt to install bloatware, toolbars, etc..
I already have Media Player Classic installed on my PC, so Im not worried about that extra install, but I am worried about being able to stop, or un-tic any other crapware that Shark may try to install.
I have your link open in another tab. what do I do next.
Where is the actual download link.
Thanks for your help
Darney53
Awesome.
Thank you for the very quick reply..
Much appreciated.
Peace.
leefrost
1. I want my Windows Media Player to play my FLAC music files.
2. I already have Media Player Classic installed on my PC, so Im not worried about that extra install, but I am worried about being able to stop, or un-tic any other crapware that Shark may try to install.
3. Where is the actual download link.
You mention 3 points there which I numbered.
1. Yes, Flac will play on WMP 11, 12 or any other WMP version and also on MPC.
2. Shark007 has never contained any type of melware or crapware unlike K-lite when it contained Real Player works well and is my personal choice for all codecs.
3. Download from Major Geeks
HERE.
By now you should know that I am not leefrost, but follow his instructions so you can accomplish your goal. He sent you a direct link and thoroughly answered your questions.
Sure but I am not leefrost.
Thank you very much. Im downloading them now. Will install them and be back to let you know if there are any problems :
Yeah, Im sorry about that Darney53. I think I just clicked on the wrong reply link :
Im downloading the codecs now. Thanks for you help, both of you :
Critical Bill
Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
I have to agree with the person above. Why on earth would I convert a free lossless compression format to a lossy terrible sounding one like wma. MS, please stop with your standard You may however user your favorite
search engine to search for a solution that may convert the file to a Windows Media Player supported file type. as this NOT a viable option.
Critical Bill, that is the answer you would expect from someone at Microsoft. If you look at the previous posts you will see the option that through 3 party software Window media player will play flac files and other lossless audio files.
If you have not found out by now you can download K-lite codecs pack at:
or here:
Or you can Download shark007-
Whichever one you choose, be sure to choose Windows Media Player for the player you want the codecs to use by default. You will see the option in the installation.
True to that leefrost. I had never heard of 007Shark until your mention in this forum, even though I had been searching for something that would allow me to play lossless audio besides wav in Windows Media Player. Because I am still learning about codecs
and after fumbling with plugins, when I found K-lite and it works well for me. I stop looking. But since I have been enlightened about other options for codecs I have been reading more. It seems that from my reading there are avent fans of 007Shark, but equally
as much as K-lite. But having the options gives more choice for the user and there level of how to use; understanding. I have others players on my computer. But none are better than Windows Media Player. I am able to play all lossless audio I choose; MKV,
M2TS video and so on. I still would not say that 007Shark is the best, I leave to the user. But agree that it will accomplish what it is designed for without compatibility problems. Thanks again for the pull up.
I am only here on this same subject because I keep getting email messages. When you responded yesterday as if you did not know that Razell is using another operating system other than what you were advising on, it seemed strange. No one is holding
you to perfection since you are a material being. But to dismiss the issue as never knowing after debating me the way you have is strange. I always read the name of the person who has replied and have noticed different comments or jump ins. But it was quite
obvious what was going on. After this post I am opting out of this discussion. I hope that the people who started asking the question about FLAC play in Windows media player 11 12 from 2010 have found a way to play that file format. I have Windows 8 64 bit.
leefrost, im sorry.
im new to the forums and did not know there was a seperate thread for vista.
i will take the blame for that.
have a wonderful day
No problem.
I am fairly new here myself and I am still coming to grips with this forum s peculiarities :
I am sorry for wasting your time and I hope you have better luck in the Vista forum.
joeo sullivan
Nice one.. sorted in about 20 seconds..
As usual the Microsoft support engineers are more than useless. :-
AndreasSørensen
This worked for me as well - thx. :-
Fred Boutin
Joe Bleau s suggestion really works.
You simply need to install Xiph s Open Codecs here:
Thank you Joe. Shame to Microsoft.
As an aside:
Why the heck any budding Audiophile would want to use WMP for playing lossless FLAC or WAV files anyway is beyond me .
Audiophiles use Foobar to play FLAC file music not WMP, just visit any audiophile forum.
Unless decent headphones 300 or studio monitor PC speakers 300 through a decent USB DAC 90 and depending on speakers or headphones, an amp as well. you may as well stick to 3MP sound because there will be no benefit heard from FLAC or WAV
using woeful on-board sound chip drivers and WMP :
Jaime1968
wait for windows 10 - finally, FLAC will be native to WMP
Mick Campbell
Has to be the poorest and most unhelpful answer to a technical question EVER.
Why not point the user to a third party codec.
This is not 1999. The days of having to convert file formats belong in the last century.
Ridiculous.
Norlito
Yes it is ridiculous. Don t Microsoft realize that the benefit of supporting FLAC or any other format will increase the sale of PC or any Microsoft products that runs in Window OS.
Frederick Micro
Link is broken or not available.
guess. you ll.. just. have.. to. Google. it. :- xiph.org codec
SO SIMPLE.
To play FLAC file with Windows Media Player, you just have to install K-Lite Codec Pack. see more at:
windows 10 support FLAC surprise
look at wmp and choose flac
Answer
23 people found this helpful.
Media Player Codec Pack
If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET s Site Terms of Use, you can report it below this will not automatically remove the comment. Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.
Select type of offense:
Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Comments: optional
Submit
cancel.
Pristine Classical brings you the finest historic recorded music, FLAC for Windows. Windows Media Player; FLAC Software ; Convert FLAC; FLAC to CD; 24-bit FLAC;.
- If you are not sure what to download, see Using FLAC for instructions and guides on playing FLAC files, ripping CDs to FLAC, etc. Windows Media Player.
- An annoyance for music lovers who enjoy FLAC format, is there s no native support for WMP or WMC. If you re a music enthusiast who prefers FLAC format, we ll.
- Windows has been lacking of support since the very first version. For those who do not know, FLAC is an open lossless audio format. Even Microsoft supports.
- How to Play Flac in Windows Media Player. FLAC is an open-source audio file standard that has no audio compression. FLAC files can sound better than MP3, MP4.
Встроенное видео Ogg and FLAC are two popular formats that are being used more frequently by music enthusiasts. Unfortunately, WMP does not support these file.
