Those who like to watch movies in good quality always need the best video player for Windows that works without problems and plays the maximum number of formats.
The standard program, installed by default along with the operating system, does not always cope with its task, even with the installation of additional codecs. Therefore, you should choose a different player, more powerful and easier to use.
However, a wide range of such programs can confuse the user of Windows XP, 7, 8 or 10, and in order to better understand them, choose one of several proven and high-quality options.
VLC Media Player
The open source VLC Media Player provides free features that are equal to or even superior to the standard Windows player. And its user receives the following capabilities:
- play any audio and video formats;
- include different subtitle formats;
- install the selected design (skin) by freely downloading VLC Player from the official website.
In addition, when watching a movie, VLC's simplified interface allows you to avoid annoying advertisements. In addition, most codecs are already built-in and do not require additional time spent searching and installing.
You can download VLC Media Player from the official website http://www.videolan.org/vlc/.
KMPlayer
When looking for the best video player to use on your computer, you should also pay attention to the KMPlayer program, which plays videos quite smoothly and has advanced capabilities for playing DVDs from media or from an image.
Installing new codecs for formats not supported by the application by default is quick, and image sizes can be easily adjusted based on your monitor's aspect ratio.
An important feature is support for all existing resolutions, ranging from outdated ones and used only on mobile phones 240p to 4K and even the new Ultra HD (8K).
The playback quality of even the highest quality video will be high - however, only with sufficiently powerful equipment and Windows 10 or at least 7 installed.
Media Player GOM
South Korean media player, downloadable for free from the Internet and working not only with Windows 7 and 8, but also with versions of the operating system from 1998.
The original design and logo in the form of a bear paw is associated with the consonance of the name (Gretech Online Movie or GOM) with the Korean symbol of the gom bear.
The player supports most formats, including standard video, MKV and FLV. Additional features of the program include controlling the video playback speed, capturing sound and setting the screen in the desired format.
GOM comes with many codecs and design types, but if they are missing, you can download updates using the built-in search function.
MPC-HC
The acronym MPC-HC stands for Media Player Classic – Home Cinema. This player is another open source program with the ability to play different types of video files.
It is worth noting that, despite the relative simplicity of the MPC-HC, it is capable of playing large files and even video excerpts from Blue-Ray discs - to view the entire video you will need a more powerful program.
When working with the player on Windows XP, the renderer is set to VMR7 or VMR9 in the settings. For later versions, including Windows 8, it is recommended to select EMR. And the presence of a 64-bit version of the program allows you to further improve playback performance.
MPC-HC is available for download from the company's website mpc-hc.org.
DivX Player
Using DivX Player makes it possible to watch high-quality digital video with support for all extensions. The free version of the player from the official website provides not only viewing, but even recording of video from CD and DVD discs.
The resulting files in DivX format will allow you to create your own video database.
Although, it is also possible to play AVI, MKV, MP4, MOV extensions and even transfer video to other devices, from a TV to a game console (the DivX To Go function is used for this).
Digital video can be watched with all DVD options (menus, chapter indexes, etc.). And, if the movie is stopped in the middle, the FF/RW option restores playback from the same point for all formats.
The player also supports connecting other audio tracks to the video being played and viewing damaged files.
SMPlayer
Another good one and also free, like most players for modern operating systems, the player has a simple interface and many built-in codecs. SMPlayer offers a number of interesting features:
- YouTube support, which allows you not only to play videos from this service, but also to view a list of new videos directly from the main menu;
- Installing subtitles in the desired format, adjusting their size, color and position on the screen;
- Adding bookmarks to a playing movie;
- Search for subtitles on the Internet in order to download them and synchronize them with the video.
Official website where you can download SMPlayer for free: www.smplayer.eu
Zoom Player
A high-quality program with support for dozens of different formats and playlists. The main functions coincide with the capabilities of the standard Windows player, but if you download and install Zoom Player on your computer, the following are added to the capabilities:
- adjusting the color of the image and subtitles separately;
- watching DVD using the disc menu;
- changing the screen configuration;
- audio and video filters.
But the main advantage of the player, expressed already in its name, is image scaling in order to remove the bars at the top and bottom or simply take a closer look at what is happening on the screen.
Which option should I choose?
The versatility of playback found in most modern players allows for easy viewing using almost any program.
Small differences lie only in the installed codecs, which can be easily downloaded from the Internet.
And you should choose the appropriate program depending on your specific requirements - the ability to easily scale, change the format, or directly connect to Internet services.
Advice! DFor the player to work properly, installing it is not enough - the video will not play without modern drivers, which are not always included. And when watching a movie not on a monitor, but on a big screen, you will also need special software for HDMI.
The best video player for Windows! What is he like? How to install?
You can watch movies conveniently through the best video player. In this video we will look at which video player is better to choose.
The best video players for playing multimedia files of all formats. You can choose any video player and download it for free to your computer. All downloads occur directly from the official website of the developer.
The KMPlayer
The KMPlayer- a powerful player developed by Korean specialists. It is equipped with functionality, offering the user a solution to many problems. The main advantage is that it supports almost all existing multimedia file formats.
It features an integrated library with various codecs for trouble-free playback. The video player satisfies the needs of any user. It allows you to customize effects as you watch, and also works with multi-format subtitles.
There is an option to adjust the speed, brightness, and contrast of the picture. It is possible to obtain a high-quality individual document. A nice bonus for advanced users is the command line. The player is perfect for both Windows 7 and a computer running Windows 10.
Media Player Classic
Media Player Classic- a multifunctional player that boasts an intuitive interface, useful features and fast operation.
The main task is to play videos and music. The advantages of this utility are the ability to work with multiple monitors and a TV at the same time. It has added all the important elements to read AVI files that have been damaged.
The application stabilizes a shaky picture, delivering maximum comfort to the user. There is an option for taking screenshots during a movie screening. The functionality is expanded through plugins.
Light Alloy player
Light Alloy- an easy-to-use program with a variety of settings. It makes playing video files convenient. The user can scale and position the screen, change the speed, perform frame-by-frame viewing, and also adjust the sound and picture quality.
The application fully supports DVD. It has volume and time controls. Another useful option is creating a playlist, which is very convenient when playing TV series. There is an option to play the video from the moment at which the player was closed.
A unique feature is that the utility can be recorded onto a flash card and used as a “portable” player.
Windows Player
Windows Player- an excellent tool for video files that does not contain an additional set of codecs. It allows you to watch movies, serial films, clips, both on PCs and laptops, and display them on a large TV screen.
The universal player supports 36 video and audio formats - everything that any user needs. There are unique features, including the HQ setting, which helps make the image rich and bright. Also increases the volume, which is important for films with insufficiently clear sound.
Simple design and fast operation make WP one of the most popular among its analogues.
GOM Player program
GOM Player- a modern multimedia player that plays almost all known media file extensions. The application from the South Korean developer is available with an interface in Russian.
The program supports all formats without downloading additional components. If a problem occurs, it itself searches for the required codec. Plays even incompletely downloaded or damaged files.
Has a screenshot function. Also supports working with subtitles. It is distributed free of charge and does not require registration.
version: 12.10.4.2 from January 30, 2020A program for synchronizing Apple devices with computers based on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, playing media files and accessing the largest store of licensed content.
Here is a powerful multimedia application that allows you to synchronize multimedia information on your PC with Apple devices - iPhone and iPad. iTunes is the only official tool for transferring videos and music to Apple gadgets, as well as updating their software via cable.
version: 32.0.0.321 from January 22, 2020Adobe Flash Player is a free multimedia player for Windows and Android, distributed as a separate application and responsible for playing video, sound and Flash animation.
Normal display of multimedia content in a browser without the Flash Player plugin will be impossible.
version: 4.60.2170 from January 22, 2020The universal player AIMP plays all common audio formats and offers convenient playlist management.
Fans of the progressive audio player from Russian developer Artem Izmailov can now enjoy their favorite interface on tablets and smartphones. The author decided to transfer his gray-orange creation to the Android platform. And although the appearance remains almost the same, the functionality of the mobile version is somewhat inferior. However, a number of the application's features are identical for both PCs and Android devices.
version: 2.3.49.5311 from January 21, 2020GOM Media Player is a player capable of playing all common media formats, capturing video and audio, taking screenshots, and applying effects.
Thanks to built-in support for most used codecs, Gretech Online Movie Player plays any video files, including damaged and under-downloaded ones. The developers have implemented the program's search for the required decoder on the Internet, if such a need arises. This means that instead of the “This file cannot be played” message, which is standard for a number of similar programs, you will see the “Find codec” prompt.
version: 4.2.2.36 from January 21, 2020The powerful media player KMP player is installed on the computer of every third movie fan in the world, and has recently become incredibly popular among users of Android and iOS gadgets.
KMPlayer is able to open any known format, since it has a built-in codec pack. With it, you can watch your favorite movies without any worries, both at home on your computer and while traveling on your tablet or smartphone.
version: 2.7.8 from December 17, 2019A program for playing local audio and video files, as well as movies from torrents. The application contains a built-in catalog of television channels and radio stations. 
ComboPlayer is a universal multimedia player that allows you to solve many problems. With its help, you can play video and music tracks located on local drives, watch movies online from torrents without pre-downloading, as well as watch TV shows and listen to the radio. To do this, the program contains a built-in library of links to stable broadcast sources.
A program for playing videos and music with an integrated set of codecs, capable of playing movies in high quality immediately after installation. 
This is a modern media player with a built-in DXVA codec package that is capable of playing all common types of audio and video files without additional settings. The application can play both local content and streaming broadcasts and under-downloaded objects. Thanks to the integrated timer, you can specify the time to turn off the computer (for example, after the end of the movie).
A program for playing all popular types of audio tracks and video files. The utility includes a set of codecs and can open movies in Ultra HD format.
A functional multimedia processor that reproduces most common formats. This application contains a number of technologies to optimize picture quality, increase maximum playback volume and fine-tune the sound of audio. Windows Player has a very simple, classic interface, conveniently displays a list of tracks, and can play high-quality content on computers without Direct3D acceleration.
ComboPlayer is a multimedia combine that downloads movies for you via torrents, opens files from all audio and video formats, shows online broadcasts, television, images from surveillance cameras, allows you to listen to the radio, create your own media library and synchronize files between different computers. It is noteworthy that you use all functions, except for viewing a few special channels, absolutely free of charge!
For those who need a universal media player, the undisputed solution is KMPlayer, which can be downloaded for free and used for almost all known file formats. Its best alternative is Daum Potplayer. A developer who broke away from the KMP project made almost the same Video Player, only faster and more functional. We highly recommend you take a look.
Another good solution would be to use VLC Media Player, which is perfect for Windiws 10 and Mac OS. It will perform well if you need to play streaming video often and in large quantities. The best program for owners of old computers with sluggish and slow systems is the small Light Alloy player with minimal requirements for PC resources.
Consumers of television and radio shows and fans of currently popular podcasts will like BS.Player. Its installation will make it possible to play not only recorded multimedia, but also watch analogue or digital TV. If the user does not want to clutter up the hard drive with media recordings, but watches them from the Internet, Real Player Cloud will do an excellent job of playing streaming cloud video. And for those who one day encounter damaged or insufficiently downloaded video/audio, GOM Player will be very useful.
Those who switched from Apple to Microsoft technology and are accustomed to using the rich iTunes center should try Windows Media Player, a free product from Microsoft. If you are a music lover and are interested in which media players to download for free for your tablet, AIMP is ideal. It is most loved by portable device users.
For novice users who do not need any special frills, but simply want a reliable, simple and stable player that takes up a minimum of system resources, Zoom Player Free is suitable. As they gain experience, they will be able to expand their knowledge and use new player features. And for those who watch videos with subtitles, the fast ALLPlayer will provide great opportunities.
The review did not include several more outdated, but still popular media players. The most noteworthy of them are AVS Media Player and WindowsPlayer, as well as Crystal Player and Kantaris Media Player. Unfortunately, they are inferior to the presented products in terms of functionality or other important operating parameters.
Windows Media Player 12
A free media player has been specially developed for Windows OS Windows Media Player, with which you can enjoy your favorite music, watch videos or view photos. Very simple and convenient controls allow you to do all this in one program! You can access the media player using the link at the bottom of the page. The player is entirely in Russian and offers a wealth of possibilities. The program integrates with Explorer libraries and supports numerous popular file formats (MPG, ASF, Real Audio, WMA, AVI, WMV, AVI).
Benefits of Windows Media Player:
- to play a file, just “drag” it to the playlist in one simple movement;
- You can download album covers and additional information for songs from the Internet;
- the ability to record video files or music directly from the program is available;
- connecting and synchronizing files with game consoles and portable devices of various types is extremely simple;
- the player allows you to play audio tracks, films, photos in high quality, and no special experience is required to run the program and its individual functions;
- a 10-band, very convenient equalizer is available to users;
- you can use mini-window mode;
- multimedia files can be catalogued, using quick search functions, sorting by date, genres, albums;
- Various pre-installed plugins are used to improve the signal;
- The quality of video and photo files can be adjusted (contrast, brightness, etc.).
Free Windows Media Player It is offered in Russian, its interface is simple, and the controls are intuitive. The latest version of the player allows you to watch videos, listen to your favorite music, radio and TV shows, and record them on your PC.
Windows Media Player free download
Download Windows Media Player 11 for free for Windows XP and Vista, the download link leads to the official website. We monitor all program updates to ensure that you have the latest version of Windows Media Player.