It is customary to refer to codecs as special programs for compressing and decompressing multimedia data. Installing the necessary codecs allows the user to play files of the selected formats and fix problems that arise during the playback.
Instructions
Step 1
Call the main menu of a computer running any Windows operating system by clicking the "Start" button, and go to the "Control Panel" item in order to install all codecs. Expand the Add or Remove Programs link and select the Windows Setup tab in the dialog box that opens. Apply the checkbox in the "Multimedia" line (the "Sounds and Multimedia" option is possible, depending on the OS version) and use the "Composition" command. Apply the checkboxes in the lines "Compress audio recordings" and "Compress video recordings" and save the changes by clicking on the OK button. Click OK again to apply them.
Step 2
To install individual codecs, open the main system menu by clicking on the "Start" button and go to the "Control Panel" item. Expand the Hardware Installation link and use the Next command twice. After that, apply the checkbox in the line "No, choose from the list" and confirm your choice by clicking on the "Next" button. Select the checkbox in the "Sound, video and game devices" field in the "Device types" catalog of the opened dialog box and save the change by clicking on the "Next" button. Specify the required program manufacturer in the Manufacturers directory of the next dialog box and select the required codec in the Models directory. Confirm your choice by clicking on the "Next" button and save the changes made by clicking on the "Finish" button.
Step 3
If you need to remove the installed codecs, return to the "Control Panel" item in the main system menu and open the "Add or Remove Programs" link. Select the "Windows Setup" tab in the dialog box that opens and apply the checkbox in the "Multimedia" line. Use the "Composition" command and uncheck the boxes for "Compress audio recordings" and "Compress video recordings" in the next dialog box. Confirm your choice by clicking on the OK button and save the changes made by clicking the same button again.
