WMV File Extension

Windows Media Video Format

File Type wmv
Developer Microsoft
Popularity
4.1 (39 votes)
Application Adobe Premiere Pro
Category Video Files
Format Binary

What is a WMV file?

The WMV extension is related to Windows Media Video Format and is classified in the Video Files category, which contains 445 files.

The Windows Media Video Format (WMV) was developed by Microsoft, which created file format and 242 programs to work with them.

WMV file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Mac OS. To play a WMV file, you can choose from 55 programs such as 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 cannot open a WMV file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.

Thanks to their popularity, Windows Media, VLC media player and Xine are often the go-to programs for managing WMV files. If you want the most recent release of Adobe Premiere Pro, head over to the Adobe site and download the version designed to run on all platforms.

Once the process is complete, Adobe Premiere Pro should take over as the default application for WMV files.

Set Adobe Premiere Pro to open WMV by default

Change default apps on Mac

Right-click or use Control + Left-click on the desired WMV file to access the file’s context menu;
Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
At the bottom of the window, you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, will be set to "Recommended Programs";
Choose "All Programs" in this menu and search for Adobe Premiere Pro. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

Change a default app in Windows

Start by right-clicking on your WMV file, then select the "Open with" option and choose "Choose another app" from the menu that appears;
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.

Easy WMV Troubleshooting

Rest assured, any issues with WMV files can typically be addressed with simple software adjustments. See the tips below for help.

What Causes Adobe Premiere Pro to Crash Frequently?

Insufficient updates for Adobe products can cause Adobe Premiere Pro to crash. Be sure to regularly install the latest software 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.

How can I restore a damaged WMV file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged WMV file, and in the menu, click "Repair" to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish, allowing automatic repair of damaged video files.

What are the ways to check if my WMV file is damaged?

Characteristics of corrupted WMV video files can include:

The file does not respond or shows errors when opening it;
Editing the archive in Adobe Premiere Pro is hampered by poor overall performance;
The file stops responding or freezes in Adobe Premiere Pro or other programs;
Unexplained WMV file size inflation;
Actions performed on the file result in the appearance of error notifications;

How to edit a WMV file?

To modify WMV files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit video files. Online WMV editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Windows Media Video Format.

Best WMV Editor Software in 2026

Based on the criteria above, here is a selection of WMV editors you can use.

WMV Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
AVS Video Editor	OMT	Windows	4.8 out of 5 (42 reviews)
PowerDirector	CyberLink	Windows	4.6 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Adobe Premiere Pro	Adobe	Windows, Mac OS	4.5 out of 5 (42 reviews)
Video Edit Magic	DeskShare	Windows	4.3 out of 5 (38 reviews)
FFDShow	-	Windows	4.2 out of 5 (39 reviews)

Convert files to and from WMV

If working with a WMV file is challenging, one solution is to convert it to formats like AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, MP3 or other supported formats.

After converting a WMV file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.

Offline software, including Freemake Video Converter, MediaCoder and ConvertXtoDVD, allows smooth conversion of WMV files while preserving original quality.