For most users, Standard remains the recommended download. File extensions describe the container or file type, while the audio/video inside may use a separate codec. Support can also depend on the player, Windows version, file condition and selected components.
Video files and containers
Common video containers and disc/transport formats.
Raw video codec streams
Elementary video streams that may appear without a normal media container.
Audio files and containers
Common compressed, lossless and uncompressed audio file types.
Subtitle formats
Common external subtitle formats used alongside video files.
Playlist and cue formats
Playlist and cue-sheet formats commonly used by media players.
Common video and audio codecs
These are codec families commonly encountered inside the file types above.
Modern video codecs
Established video codecs
Common audio codecs
This is a practical compatibility reference rather than a promise that every possible profile, damaged file, DRM-protected stream or unusual combination will play in every Windows application.
Choose an edition
The main difference between editions is package size and included tools rather than a need to download a separate pack for each common file type.