Yous need to install Media Feature Pack in Windows ten N/KN editions to enable all multimedia features. Features like Windows Media Player, Music, Video, Vocalism Recorder, etc. are non included in the N/KN editions of Windows.

Why are these features not included in Windows 10 N Edition?

This is because of European laws. North stands for No Media. European competition government foreclose companies to package media products inside of Windows to brand sure other media companies can compete with Microsoft on the Windows platform.

The story is like in the instance of Windows 10 KN Edition. Microsoft abides by the Korean laws and does non add the multimedia functionality by default in Windows.

So who needs the Media Feature Pack?

To add the multimedia functionality in Windows x, y'all will need to install Media Characteristic Pack. Microsoft explains in this article about which functionality is not bachelor in the Due north and KN editions of Windows ten. Here are some of the points:

  • New features such every bit Windows Mixed Reality, Cortana, Windows Hello, and PDF viewing in the new Border browser that rely on Windows Media files are not included in Windows x N.
  • Some websites and software, such as Windows Store applications and Microsoft Function, employ Windows Media-related files that are not included in Windows 10 N edition. Except for Windows Mixed Reality, users can make these websites and software work correctly by installing the Media Feature Pack for N versions of Windows 10.
  • The Media Characteristic Pack for N versions of Windows 10 is incompatible with Windows Mixed Reality. Users who want to utilize Windows Mixed Reality must install a non-N version of Windows ten.

In this article, we will explain the steps to install and actuate Media Characteristic Pack for Windows 10 N/KN Version 1909 (also applies for Version 1903).

But showtime, how do I check if I take N/KN edition of Windows ten?

This is simple. Become to Run –> winver.

It will tell yous exactly which version and edition of Windows you are running. Here is a screenshot of mine:

Build and Edition of Windows Winver
Build and Edition of Windows (winver)

Install Media Characteristic Pack in Windows 10 N/KN Version 1909

Before, Microsoft used to provide download links for media characteristic packs for each new version of Windows 10. But from Version 1903, the MFP has been added to optional features and can exist installed directly from the control panel. Let's go through the steps to add Media Characteristic Pack:

  1. Open up Windows Settings and go to Apps.
  2. Under Apps & Features, click on Optional features.
    Apps Features 1
    Apps Features one
  3. Click on Add a feature
    Add a feature
    Add together a characteristic
  4. Find Media Feature Pack from the list.
  5. Clicking on the item will enable the Install button. Press the button to download and install the feature automatically.
    Install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10
    Install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10

Delight note that you will need to install Windows Media Thespian separately. Y'all can notice and install it using the same list.

Install Windows Media Player from optional features in Windows 10
Install Windows Media Actor from optional features in Windows 10

After the installation is complete, you can meet Media Feature Pack and Windows Media Player in the list of optional features in the Apps.

After installing Media Characteristic Pack, you can install media codecs from Microsoft Store to make the most out of your multimedia experience. Hither are some interesting codec packs:

VP9 Video Extensions (Play streaming videos over the Internet)

Web Media Extensions (For Edge and Windows 10 to support open up-source media formats)

HEIF Image Extensions (Read and write high-efficiency image files)

Uninstall Media Characteristic Pack from Windows 10

Uninstalling Media Characteristic Pack from Windows 10 is very like to the installation. Here are the steps involved:

  1. Go to Windows Settings –> Apps.
  2. Nether Apps & Features, click on Optional features
  3. You will come across Media Feature Pack in the list of installed optional features
  4. Click on the item and the Uninstall option volition announced.
  5. Click on the Uninstall push to completely remove Media Characteristic Pack from Windows 10.
    Uninstall Windows Media Player from Windows 10 optional features
    Uninstall Windows Media Actor from Windows x optional features

Delight note that you need an active Internet connection to install optional features in Windows ten. And a restart is required after installation of Windows Media Pack to start working correctly.

What are your thoughts nearly this functionality by Microsoft? Did you adopt to download the Media Feature Pack or are you comfy with Microsoft adding the tool to its optional features?

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Usman Khurshid is a seasoned Information technology Pro with over 15 years of experience in the IT industry. He has experience in everything from It support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and deject computing. He is besides certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and besides Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.