CloudConverter
WMV to MP4 ConverterWMV files from Windows Movie Maker, PowerPoint exports and old cameras do not play on iPhones, Macs, most Android phones or social networks. Convert WMV to MP4 and the video plays everywhere, in a standard H.264 file.
WMV vs MP4: what changes
WMV (Windows Media Video) uses older Microsoft codecs that were common in the 2000s. Outside Windows, support is poor and most video editors and websites reject it. MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio is the format phones, TVs, browsers, WhatsApp, YouTube and Instagram all accept.
When to convert WMV to MP4
Use it when an old family video will not play on your phone, when uploading to YouTube or social media, when a Mac shows a ‘cannot open’ message, or when you want to edit a WMV in a modern editor.
Before you convert
Old WMV files are often low resolution, and converting cannot add detail, so a 480p video stays 480p. Videos larger than 1080p are scaled down to 1080p. WMV files with DRM protection cannot be converted.
Tips for converting WMV to MP4
Converting a collection of old videos? Do one first and check it plays on your phone and TV, then convert the rest. Keep the WMV originals until you have checked the MP4 copies.
Common problems and fixes
Old Windows Movie Maker videos will not play on my Mac or phone
WMV uses Windows Media codecs that Apple devices and many phones never supported. MP4 with H.264 plays on all of them.
The MP4 looks low quality
Old WMV videos were often small and heavily compressed. The MP4 keeps the original resolution and cannot add detail that was never there.
Some WMV files fail to convert
Copy-protected (DRM) WMV files from old stores and TV recordings cannot be converted. Home videos and exports work.
WMV to MP4: output details
| You upload | WMV (.wmv, .asf), usually from Windows Movie Maker and old PCs |
|---|---|
| You get | H.264 video with AAC audio, up to 1920 px on the long side (never enlarged) |
| Kept | frame rate, aspect ratio and length |
| Size limit | 200 MB per file |
Frequently asked questions
Will the MP4 look worse than the WMV?
No visible difference in normal viewing. The video is re-encoded with H.264 at good quality, and the resolution is kept up to 1080p.
Can I convert PowerPoint WMV exports?
Yes. Videos exported from PowerPoint or Windows Movie Maker as WMV convert normally.
Is there a size limit?
Files up to 200 MB are accepted. Videos above 1080p are scaled to 1080p.
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