Simply Download DVD codec for Windows Media Player

A lot of users mentioned that Windows Media Player cannot support DVD movies with below error showed up.

This tutorial has been outlined to make sure that the best and the state of the art procedures and DVD decoders are installed so that the user can get the full advantage of using the DVD playback functions. Keep reading.

Generally speaking, playing DVDs requires MPEG-2 video compression and Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio. This is because MPEG-2 codec is commonly used on standard commercial DVDs and Dolby Digital is the widely used audio standard for DVD. Other DVD codecs include: MP3, WMV, DivX, Xvid, etc. Microsoft suggests users to install Windows DVD Player app to revive DVD playback capability. However, this tool is available free for a limited time for users upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 with Windows Media Center. If you don't meet the criteria or did a clean installation, you have to pay $14.99 for it.

DVD playback plug-ins and add-ons

For Windows 10. The Windows DVD Player app is available free for a limited time for people upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 with Windows Media Center. See Windows DVD Player Q&A.
For Windows 8.1. If you're running Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro, you can search for a DVD player app in the Windows Store.
For Windows 7. Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate, and Enterprise come with DVD playback capability built in. Full DVD capability is not available on Windows 7 Home Basic or Starter.
For Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you're running Windows XP, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Enterprise, you can enhance your DVD playback experience by purchasing one of the DVD decoder packs.

While if you are still can not get the DVD played in Windows Media Player, luckily, there are many third-party free media players compatible with Windows 10. With DVD codecs built in, they can play DVDs on Windows 10. What we recommend is Brorsoft 8K Video Player (Mac version).

As the best 4K DVD/Blu-ray Player, it features region Blu-ray player, DVD player, 4K video palyer, 4K Blu-ray player, media player and ISO player. Now, download the software to play 4K Blu-rays.

Tutorial to Play DVDs on Windows 10/8/7

Step 1: Download and install this 8K video player program on your computer. Insert DVD disc into the computer.

Step 2: Launch it and click "Open File", "Open Bluray" or "Open DVD" to load media files for playback.