How to Convert MP4 to WMV Easily and Quickly?

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Your Go-To MP4 to WMV Converter

3 Steps to Convert MP4 Files to WMV in Bulk

6 Best Free Options

======FAQs======

MP4 is one of the most popular video formats with broad compatibility and is natively supported by most devices and platforms. However, many users reported that some of their downloaded MP4 movies won't play on Windows as usual, especially after an OS update. Both Movies & TV app and Media Player could not recognize them. How come?

The reason is usually that the unrecognizable MP4 files are encoded with some unsupported codecs, but the media player doesn't have the corresponding decoder. In this case, converting MP4 to WMV is a good solution without wasting your time finding specific codecs. Now, I'll list some easy-to-use tools, starting with our top recommendation!

Your Go-To MP4 to WMV Converter

What makes WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro the best tool for converting MP4 to WMV? Equipped with a wide range of configured presets, it's a comprehensive tool that provides a one-stop solution to video converting, editing, downloading, and recording.

It even supports batch processing and hardware acceleration, saving your time and effort. The straightforward GUI makes it easy to navigate even for the less tech-savvy people.

3 Steps to Convert MP4 Files to WMV in Bulk

Step 1 - Add MP4 Files

DownloadDownload, install, and run HD Video Converter Factory Pro, go to "Converter”, and click "Add Files" to import the MP4 files that refuse to play. A simple drag-and-drop is also allowed.

Step 2 - Select WMV as Output Format

Go to "Video" category and select "WMV" profile from the output format library on the right side.

Tips. There are more than 500 pre-configured output presets for different devices and purposes, making it easy to select the right settings for your needs. In addition, tweak parameters as you wish in "Parameter settings" window, such as changing video codec, resolution, bitrate, frame rate, etc. for maximum control over the WMV output.

Step 3 - Start Batch Conversion

Specify an output location, and click "Run" to start converting your MP4 files to WMV in bulk at a blazing-fast speed.

6 Best Free Options

What if you're looking for a free MP4 to WMV converter? Don't worry, we've got you covered! Here are some reliable free options:

#1. Free HD Video Converter Factory

This is a free and simplified version of WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro. It has the same fast conversion engine but with limitations on simultaneous conversion and hardware acceleration.

Despite being a free version, its conversion capabilities are not compromised. It's still an excellent choice for MP4-to-WMV conversion without any watermark. And it shares the same operation steps mentioned above with the Pro version.

==> Download It Here ==> Download It Here

MP4 to WMV Video Converter Free Download

#2. VLC Media Player

The popular VLC is not only a versatile media player, but also has some hidden video conversion capabilities. You can use it for MP4-to-WMV conversion but the process is a little bit complex and slow. Here's the how-to guide:

Download and install VLC Media Player on your computer.
Open VLC and go to "Media" > "Convert / Save".
Click "Add" and select the MP4 file(s) you want to convert, then click "Convert / Save".
In the "Profile" drop-down list, select "Video - WMV + WMA (ASF)" option.
Click "Browse" to choose a destination path, and rename your file name extension as ".wmv".
Finally, hit the "Start" button.
When finished, the converted WMV file will be in the designated destination folder.

#3. FFmpeg

FFmpeg is a free, open-source command line tool for converting video and audio between formats. With the right commands, you can use FFmpeg to convert MP4 files to WMV. But it has a steep learning curve. Here are the steps:

Download FFmpeg for your operating system from the FFmpeg website.
Extract the FFmpeg file to a folder on your computer.
Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the FFmpeg folder.
Use this command to convert MP4 to WMV: "ffmpeg -i input.mp4 output.wmv" (without quotation marks)
Replace "input.mp4" and "output.wmv" with the desired name.
Press "Enter" to run the command and initiate the conversion process.

#4. XMedia Recode

XMedia Recode is a free yet functional video transcoding program for Windows with tons of output formats. The interface is outdated but it can handle MP4 to WMV conversions fairly well. Follow these instructions:

Download, install, and run XMedia Recode.
Add your MP4 files by clicking "Open File" or dragging files into the interface.
Under "Format" tab, choose "WMV" option in the drop-down list of "Format" and "File Extension".
Click "Browse" to choose a destination path for saving the converted WMV files.
Click the "Add to queue" button. Your conversion task will appear in the queue.
Lastly, click the "Encode" button.

#5. WinFF

WinFF is an open source video converter for Windows and Linux. It has a basic interface but can convert MP4 to WMV. Relies on FFmpeg in the backend so not very user friendly. Here's how to change MP4 to WMV with WinFF:

Install WinFF and launch the application.
Run WinFF, click "+ Add" button to import your MP4 files.
Move to "Convert to" section, select "Windows" option.
Choose "WMV 720p" or "WMV2 Generic" option in the "Preset" drop-down list.
Click "three-dots" icon to choose an output folder.
Finally, click the "Convert" button.

#6. Online Video Converters

For quick one-off conversions, some free online video converter tools provide an easy option to convert MP4 to WMV right in your web browser without any software installed on your computer. Examples include but not limit to:

CloudConvert.com
Convertio.co
Online-Convert.com
FileZigZag.com
FreeConvert.com

To use them, simply go to the website, upload your MP4 file, select WMV as the output format, and click Convert. The online service will process your video and provide a download link when finished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between MP4 and WMV?

A: MP4 is a container format that can store various types of video, audio, and subtitles, while WMV is a series of video codecs and their corresponding video coding formats developed by Microsoft. MP4 is more widely supported, and commonly used for online streaming and sharing, while WMV is preferred for local playback and editing on Windows-based systems.

Q2: Is converting MP4 to WMV lossless?

A: No, converting MP4 to WMV will result in some loss of visual quality since WMV is a "lossy" compressed format. However, using a good video converter will minimize any reduction in quality.

Q3: How long does it take to convert MP4 files to WMV?

A: The conversion time depends on various factors, such as the number and file size of the source MP4 files, the conversion software used, and your computer's hardware. Faster processors and dedicated graphics cards can significantly speed up the conversion process.

Q4: Does HandBrake support batch conversion of MP4 to WMV?

A: No, HandBrake doesn’t support MP4 to WMV conversion, it only outputs video files in MP4, MKV, or WebM format. Try other user-friendly programs recommended in this article.

Q5: Are there any limitations to the online solutions?

A: Yes, converting MP4 to WMV free online may have certain limitations. Many online converters will limit the size of the uploaded files, and you cannot close the page while converting. Also, do not click any dubious ads on the page, or your computer will have the risks of being infected by viruses.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the many ways to convert your MP4 videos to play nicely with WMV-only devices and software, you can get your videos into the right format painlessly. We recommend WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro for its fast batch conversion speeds, ease of use, intuitive interface, and output quality optimization. However, free MP4 to WMV converter tools can also get the job done in a pinch. The choice comes down to your needs. Cheers!