Who should convert MP4 to WMV?

Convert MP4 to WMV if you need to play, embed, or send video to a legacy Windows system, old PowerPoint (pre-2013), or a kiosk that only reads WMV. If your video is for modern devices or the web, keep it as MP4 for better quality and smaller files.

How much bigger is a WMV compared to MP4?

A 4-minute 1080p MP4 at 5 Mbps is usually 60–120 MB. The same video as WMV2 at 2.5 Mbps will be about 70–140 MB, sometimes larger if the source MP4 was highly compressed. WMV2 is less efficient than H.264, so you may see a 10–30% size increase for similar visual quality.

Does this converter keep subtitles or chapters?

No. The preset only converts the video and audio streams. Subtitles, chapters, and metadata are discarded. If you need subtitles in your WMV, you must burn them into the video first or add them in PowerPoint separately.

Will WMV play on Mac or iPhone?

No. WMV is not natively supported on macOS, iOS, or most Android devices. It is mainly for old Windows PCs. If you need cross-platform playback, use MP4 instead. Only use WMV where it is strictly required.

Can I use VLC or Windows built-in tools to convert?

VLC can convert MP4 to WMV, but the codec options are more limited and the interface can be confusing. Windows Photos and Clipchamp do not export to WMV. macOS and iOS tools do not support WMV export at all. Videozify is a simple option for browser-based WMV conversion.

Why does PowerPoint refuse my MP4?

Older PowerPoint versions (before 2013) only accept WMV. They cannot decode H.264/AAC MP4 files. Even in newer PowerPoint, if the file uses an unusual codec, you may still see playback errors. Converting to WMV guarantees compatibility with old Office versions.

Is there a way to improve WMV quality?

Not with this preset. WMV2 is an old codec and cannot match H.264 for efficiency or sharpness. If you need sharper video, keep your MP4 master. The WMV is only for compatibility, not for archiving or editing.

Can I batch convert multiple MP4s to WMV?

Not in one go. Each file must be converted individually in the browser, to avoid memory overload. For many files, consider using desktop FFmpeg or VLC with command-line scripts, but expect a steeper learning curve.

MP4 → WMV

MP4 to WMV Converter

Drop a file here

Click to browse, or paste a file from the clipboard.

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This MP4 to WMV converter re-encodes your video for old Windows PCs and PowerPoint. It converts any MP4 to WMV using the standard WMV2 (Windows Media Video 8) codec at 2.5 Mbps, and WMA v2 audio at 192 kbps. This makes your video playable in older Windows Media Player, PowerPoint versions, and legacy software that reject MP4. No sign-up or upload needed—everything runs in your browser.

How to convert MP4 to WMV

Drop your MP4 file onto the box above, or click Browse to pick it from your device.
Check that the right video loaded, then leave the preset settings as they are.
Press Convert and wait for the progress bar to finish. Larger files may take several minutes.
Download the WMV file to your computer. Test it in the target Windows app before deleting the MP4.

Why convert MP4 to WMV?

MP4 is the current standard for video files, compatible with almost all phones, browsers, and modern apps. But older Windows PCs, legacy PowerPoint, and some industrial or office systems still require WMV. If you try to insert an MP4 into PowerPoint 2007 or an old version of Windows Media Player, you may get errors, missing video, or no sound. Converting to WMV solves these compatibility issues.

Most people run into this when they want to play or embed a recent recording (from a phone, camera, or screen capture) on a Windows XP, Vista, or early Windows 7 machine. It also matters if you need to send video to a school, business, or kiosk locked to legacy software. WMV2 (Windows Media Video 8) is the last broadly accepted format in many of these setups.

Our preset creates a WMV with video at about 2.5 Mbps and audio at 192 kbps. For a 4-minute 1080p MP4 (usually 60–120 MB), the WMV output will be similar in size—sometimes a bit larger due to less efficient compression. Quality will drop slightly, since WMV2 is less efficient than H.264, but playback will work on the intended devices.

If you do not specifically need WMV for legacy support, do not convert. MP4 is more compact, higher quality, and better supported everywhere else. This converter is for cases where you are blocked by software that only accepts WMV.

Need to trim your MP4 before converting? Use the video trimmer first. If the WMV is too large for email, compress the video after conversion.

MP4 vs WMV: what's the difference?

Property	MP4	WMV
Extension	.mp4	.wmv
Container type	MPEG-4	ASF (Advanced Systems Format)
Video codec	H.264 (AVC), HEVC, others	WMV2 (Windows Media Video 8)
Audio codec	AAC, MP3, ALAC, others	WMA v2 (Windows Media Audio)
Typical size (4 min, 1080p)	60–120 MB	70–140 MB
Device support	All modern devices	Legacy Windows, old PowerPoint

WMV (Windows Media Video) is a Microsoft video format introduced in the early 2000s. It was the default for Windows Media Player and older PowerPoint. MP4 is the current universal standard, but many legacy Windows apps cannot open it without extra codecs.

Does converting MP4 to WMV reduce quality?

Yes, converting MP4 to WMV always involves re-encoding. This preset uses WMV2 at 2.5 Mbps for the video and WMA v2 at 192 kbps for the audio. H.264 (the usual MP4 video codec) is more efficient than WMV2, so the same bitrate in WMV2 looks slightly softer or blockier, especially on fine details.

There is no bitrate slider or quality setting in this converter. The goal is maximum compatibility, not compact size or perfect fidelity. For a 4-minute video, expect the WMV to be roughly the same size or up to 20% larger than the MP4. If you need to keep the highest possible quality, keep your MP4 as a master and only use WMV for delivery to legacy systems.

If you do not need to play your video on old Windows or PowerPoint, stick with MP4. Only convert when the destination device requires WMV.

Are there easier ways to play MP4 on Windows?

If you control the playback device, try updating Windows Media Player or installing VLC. VLC opens almost any MP4 on any Windows version. PowerPoint 2016 and newer also support MP4 with H.264/AAC by default. Only convert to WMV if you are stuck with older software or locked-down computers.

On Mac, QuickTime does not play WMV at all. On Linux, support for WMV is mixed. WMV is strictly for legacy Windows workflows. If you need to trim, compress, or extract audio from your MP4 before converting, use those tools first, then make the WMV.

Frequently asked questions

Who should convert MP4 to WMV?: Convert MP4 to WMV if you need to play, embed, or send video to a legacy Windows system, old PowerPoint (pre-2013), or a kiosk that only reads WMV. If your video is for modern devices or the web, keep it as MP4 for better quality and smaller files.
How much bigger is a WMV compared to MP4?: A 4-minute 1080p MP4 at 5 Mbps is usually 60–120 MB. The same video as WMV2 at 2.5 Mbps will be about 70–140 MB, sometimes larger if the source MP4 was highly compressed. WMV2 is less efficient than H.264, so you may see a 10–30% size increase for similar visual quality.
Does this converter keep subtitles or chapters?: No. The preset only converts the video and audio streams. Subtitles, chapters, and metadata are discarded. If you need subtitles in your WMV, you must burn them into the video first or add them in PowerPoint separately.
Will WMV play on Mac or iPhone?: No. WMV is not natively supported on macOS, iOS, or most Android devices. It is mainly for old Windows PCs. If you need cross-platform playback, use MP4 instead. Only use WMV where it is strictly required.
Can I use VLC or Windows built-in tools to convert?: VLC can convert MP4 to WMV, but the codec options are more limited and the interface can be confusing. Windows Photos and Clipchamp do not export to WMV. macOS and iOS tools do not support WMV export at all. Videozify is a simple option for browser-based WMV conversion.
Why does PowerPoint refuse my MP4?: Older PowerPoint versions (before 2013) only accept WMV. They cannot decode H.264/AAC MP4 files. Even in newer PowerPoint, if the file uses an unusual codec, you may still see playback errors. Converting to WMV guarantees compatibility with old Office versions.
Is there a way to improve WMV quality?: Not with this preset. WMV2 is an old codec and cannot match H.264 for efficiency or sharpness. If you need sharper video, keep your MP4 master. The WMV is only for compatibility, not for archiving or editing.
Can I batch convert multiple MP4s to WMV?: Not in one go. Each file must be converted individually in the browser, to avoid memory overload. For many files, consider using desktop FFmpeg or VLC with command-line scripts, but expect a steeper learning curve.