Microsoft now charging for HEVC Video Extensions

If yous're looking to extend your PC to be able to play video files in the HEVC format, you may have to shell out a niggling change. Equally initially spotted past Michael Due west on Twitter, Microsoft is charging 99 cents for the extension, which allows you to play the HEVC format in any app.

Is there whatever reason why the HEVC video extensions at present cost coin? Wasn't it costless earlier? (I got redirected hither after trying to open a HEIF image) motion picture.twitter.com/wGEGltAlJi
— Michael Westward (@itsmichaelwest) June 5, 2022

Microsoft appears to be directing Windows ten users to this particular store page when trying to open HEVC files or HEIC images.

However, confusing matters a bit is that, equally pointed out by some other Twitter user, a dissever HEVC Video Extensions listing is available for free. The merely difference is that this one is listed as "HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer." Both are from Microsoft, and the descriptions are largely the aforementioned.

Presumably, the free version is for PCs that ship from a manufacturer with the necessary hardware for HEVC playback. My Surface Volume 2, for example, already had the gratuitous extension installed. Yet, I was also able to install the complimentary version on my custom-built desktop PC.

It'due south unclear what the differentiator is between versions here. But, in any example, you can cheque out both extensions at the Microsoft Store now.

See HEVC Video Extensions (Free) at Microsoft
See HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99) at Microsoft Shop

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