WMV File Extension

Windows Media Video Format

File Type wmv
Developer Microsoft
Popularity
4.7 (35 votes)
Application Adobe Premiere Pro
Category Video Files
Format Binary

What is a WMV file?

Windows Media Video Format, identified by the WMV extension, is a Video Files type and includes 445 files.

The Windows Media Video Format (WMV), created by Microsoft, is one of file format they developed, and they also built 242 programs to support them.

WMV files are compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac OS. When working with WMV files, you can rely on 55 programs, including Windows Media, VLC media player and Xine.

MIME types

video/x-ms-wmv

File Signature

HEX code: 30 26 B2 75 8E 66 CF 11 A6 D9 00 AA 00 62 CE 6C. ASCII code: 0& u f b l.

Mac OS

Linux

How to open a WMV file?

If you can’t open a WMV file, it is usually because the necessary software is missing. To resolve the issue, select the right program from the list for your operating system. Then go to the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it.

Windows Media, VLC media player and Xine are recognized as the most popular software solutions for dealing with WMV files. To install the most up-to-date edition of Adobe Premiere Pro, visit the official Adobe website. You can download the build that works across all operating systems.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign Adobe Premiere Pro as the default app for WMV files.

Set Adobe Premiere Pro to open WMV by default

Setting a default program by file type in Windows

Right-click on your WMV file, then choose the "Open with" option and select "Choose another application" from the available options;
Find the Adobe Premiere Pro application in the pop-up window and select it as your preferred program;
Select the "Always use this application" check box and click "OK" to save your selection as the default application for opening WMV files.

Change default apps on Mac

Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired WMV file to access the file’s context menu;
Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to Adobe Premiere Pro. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

How to edit a WMV file?

Editing WMV files requires installing professional software that lets you open and edit video files. Online editors have more limitations compared to dedicated Windows Media Video Format programs.

List of Top WMV editors 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended WMV editors.

WMV Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
AVS Video Editor	OMT	Windows	4.9 out of 5 (40 reviews)
FFDShow	-	Windows	4.6 out of 5 (37 reviews)
PowerDirector	CyberLink	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (36 reviews)
Video Edit Magic	DeskShare	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (36 reviews)
Adobe Premiere Pro	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.2 out of 5 (40 reviews)

Convert to and from WMV

When a WMV file is not easy to work with, converting it to formats like AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, MP3 or other comparable types may help.

Converting a WMV file may not fully retain all functionality, but it is generally possible to return it to the original format.

MediaCoder, Freemake Video Converter and 4Free Video Converter are offline tools that convert WMV files to other formats seamlessly and without quality loss.

Convert WMV to other file formats

Converting Files to WMV Format

Easy WMV Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with WMV files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

Are there any techniques or tools available to repair a damaged WMV file?

Use a data recovery program to open the damaged WMV file and from the menu choose "Repair" function to start the repair process. Allow the recovery process to complete, which will automatically repair the damaged video files.

What are the warning signs that my WMV file may be corrupted?

Corrupted WMV video files may show the following signs:

Error messages appear during the course of working with the file;
Editing the archive in FFDShow is accompanied by slow performance or delays;
Opening the file results in an error or a failed attempt;
Unexpected expansion of the total size of the WMV file;
Opening the file in Adobe Premiere Pro or other programs causes them to hang or crash;

What factors contribute to Adobe Premiere Pro crash?

Adobe Premiere Pro crashes can be caused by outdated software. Keep your Adobe products up to date by installing the latest updates.

Restarting your computer is often an effective solution to resolve various common problems. Therefore, it is recommended to do so before making any changes to the software configuration.