It is possible to install a free extension to play videos using the H.265 / HEVC codec in Movies & TV. However, you have to go through an American Microsoft website to access it.
H.265 video encoding technology, also known as HEVC, is used in 4K UHD Blu-rays, but is also coming to smartphones. It is, for example, implemented by Apple in iOS 11. Unfortunately, H.265 videos, such as those available on this site, are not natively accepted by Windows 10. You must use a third-party video player, for example VLC. Certainly, Microsoft offers an extension in its store but it is not free.
However, you can access a free extension, if your computer is not too old (prior to 2016). To do this, launch your browser and click on this link. It refers to the US web version of the Store and to the app HEVC Video Extensions from Device Manufacturer which is free.
- Click on the button Get and the Microsoft Store app launches.
- Finally click on the button Get to install the extension for free.
- You can now play H.265 videos with the app Movies and TV Windows 10.
- Thanks to the HEVC extension, it is also possible to read images in HEIF / HEIC, used for example by Apple in iOS 11. To do this, type HEIF Image Extensions in the Microsoft Store.
- Click on Get to install the HEIF extension.