5 Easy Steps to Disable HEVC Video Extensions

The HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding) video extension, also known as H.265, offers significant advantages over its predecessor, H.264, including improved compression efficiency and higher video quality. However, some users may encounter compatibility issues with certain devices or software that do not support HEVC playback. If you find yourself in such a situation, disabling the HEVC video extension may be necessary to ensure seamless video viewing. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this process effectively.

To commence the disabling process, you must first access your system’s settings. The specific steps may vary depending on your operating system. For instance, in Windows 10, you can access settings by pressing the Windows key + I simultaneously. Once the settings menu appears on your screen, locate the “Apps” section and select it. Within the Apps settings, navigate to the “Default apps” tab and scroll down until you find the “Video player” section. Click on the current default video player and select “Choose another app” from the available options. From the list of alternative video players, choose one that supports HEVC playback. By completing these steps, you will have successfully disabled the HEVC video extension in your system.

After disabling the HEVC video extension, you may encounter a scenario where you need to re-enable it in the future. Perhaps you have acquired a new device or software that supports HEVC playback, and you wish to take advantage of its benefits. To re-enable the HEVC video extension, simply follow the same steps outlined above but select the “HEVC Video Extension” option from the list of available video players. This will restore the HEVC video extension as your system’s default video player, allowing you to enjoy HEVC-encoded videos once again.

Understanding HEVC Video Extensions

HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265, is a cutting-edge video compression standard that offers significant advantages over previous codecs like AVC (Advanced Video Coding). HEVC’s superior compression efficiency allows for high-quality video at lower bitrates, resulting in smaller file sizes and reduced bandwidth requirements.

Key Features and Benefits of HEVC Video Extensions

HEVC incorporates several advanced technologies that enhance its performance and capabilities:

**Intra-prediction:** HEVC utilizes advanced intra-prediction techniques, allowing it to predict and encode video frames independently. This reduces dependencies between frames, enhancing compression efficiency and the ability to decode random access content.
**Inter-prediction:** HEVC employs efficient inter-prediction algorithms to exploit temporal redundancy between consecutive frames. This involves predicting and encoding current frames using previously decoded frames, further improving compression efficiency.
**Motion compensation:** HEVC features advanced motion compensation mechanisms that compensate for the movement of objects within video sequences. This enables the efficient encoding of complex motions, preserving high-quality details even in fast-moving scenes.
**Entropy coding:** HEVC uses entropy coding techniques to remove statistical redundancies in the encoded data. This reduces the overall file size while maintaining image quality by representing data in a more compact format.

The combination of these advanced features makes HEVC a highly efficient video compression standard, offering improved quality and bitrate reduction compared to its predecessors.

Identifying Compatibility Issues

Before disabling HEVC, it’s crucial to assess potential compatibility issues. HEVC support varies across devices, including smartphones, tablets, TVs, and laptops. To determine compatibility, check the following factors:

Device Manufacturer: Some manufacturers may not support HEVC playback due to hardware limitations or software restrictions.
Operating System: Older operating systems, such as Windows 7 and below, may not have built-in HEVC support.
Video Player: Not all video players support HEVC playback. Check the player’s documentation or settings to confirm HEVC compatibility.

Device Compatibility Table

| Device Type | HEVC Support |
|—|—|
| iPhone 6 and later | Yes |
| Android devices with Android 7.0 or higher | Yes |
| Windows 10 PCs | Yes |
| macOS Catalina and later | Yes |
| Samsung TVs 2018 and later | Yes |
| LG TVs 2017 and later | Yes |

If your device or software does not support HEVC, disabling it will prevent playback issues during video streaming or local media playback.

Modifying System Settings

To disable HEVC video extensions through system settings:

1. Open the “Settings” app and navigate to “Apps & Features”.

2. Find the HEVC Video Extension and select “Modify”.

3. Click on the “Uninstall” button.

Additional Information

If the HEVC Video Extension is not listed in the “Apps & Features” section, you may need to disable it from the Registry Editor.

Here are the steps to disable HEVC Video Extension through the Registry Editor:

Open the Registry Editor by typing “regedit” in the Run dialog box (press Windows Key + R).
Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation
Right-click on the “EnableHEVC” key and select “Delete”.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Note:

The HEVC Video Extension may be necessary for playing HEVC videos in some media players. If you experience issues playing HEVC videos after disabling the extension, you may need to reinstall it.

OS Version	Registry Key
Windows 10	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation
Windows 8.1	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation

Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt

Begin by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Windows search bar. Right-click on the result and select “Run as Administrator” to open the Command Prompt as an elevated user.

Step 2: Navigate to the HEVC Extension Folder

Next, use the following command to navigate to the directory where the HEVC extension is installed:
cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows HEIF Image Extensions"
Replace “C:” with the drive letter where Windows is installed if necessary.

Step 3: Deactivate the HEVC Decoder

To disable the HEVC decoder, enter the following command:
dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Package_for_High_Efficiency_Video_Codec
Press Enter to execute the command and wait for it to complete.

Step 4: Uninstall the HEVC Extension

Once the decoder is deactivated, you can uninstall the HEVC extension itself by entering the following command:
cd ..\..\ dism /online /Remove-Package /PackageName:Package_for_High_Efficiency_Video_Codec
Again, press Enter and wait for the operation to finish.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

After uninstalling the HEVC extension, restart your computer to apply the changes. Your system will no longer be able to open or play HEVC video files after the restart.
Note: If you later decide to enable HEVC video support again, you can follow the same steps as above, but replace “Remove” with “Install” in the uninstall command.

Command	Description
`cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows HEIF Image Extensions"`	Navigates to the HEVC extension folder.
`dism /online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Package_for_High_Efficiency_Video_Codec`	Deactivates the HEVC decoder.
`cd ..\..\`	Moves up two directories.
`dism /online /Remove-Package /PackageName:Package_for_High_Efficiency_Video_Codec`	Uninstalls the HEVC extension.

Employing Group Policy Editor

To Disable HEVC Video Extensions using Group Policy Editor (GPE), follow these steps:

Press Win + R.
Enter “gpedit.msc” in the Run dialog box.
Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “HEVC Video Extensions”.
Double-click on the “Disable HEVC Video Extensions” policy.
Select “Enabled” and click “OK”.
Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Additional Information using Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor allows you to configure settings for computers and users in your organization. You can use it to disable HEVC Video Extensions for all users on a computer or for a specific group of users.

To disable HEVC Video Extensions for all users on a computer using GPE:

Step	Action
1	Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
2	Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > HEVC Video Extensions.
3	Double-click on the “Disable HEVC Video Extensions” policy.
4	Select “Enabled” and click “OK”.
5	Restart the computer to apply the changes.

To disable HEVC Video Extensions for a specific group of users using GPE:

Follow steps 1-3 above. Then, in the “Disable HEVC Video Extensions” policy window, click on the “Show” button. In the “Select Group” window, select the group of users you want to apply the policy to and click “OK”. Finally, click “OK” again to save the changes.

Editing Registry Keys

To disable HEVC video extensions through registry editing, follow these steps:

1. Open Registry Editor

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type “regedit” and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Key

In the left-hand pane of the Registry Editor, expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE tree.

3. Navigate to the Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MediaCodec Key

Click on the MediaCodec folder to access its contents.

4. Locate the HEVCVideoExtension Key

In the MediaCodec folder, look for a key named “HEVCVideoExtension”. If it does not exist, skip to step 6.

5. Delete the HEVCVideoExtension Key

Right-click on the HEVCVideoExtension key and select Delete. Confirm the deletion by clicking “Yes”.

6. Create a New HEVCVideoExtension Key

Right-click on the MediaCodec folder and select New > Key. Name the new key “HEVCVideoExtension”.

7. Create a New DWORD Value

Right-click on the HEVCVideoExtension key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value “Disabled”.

Double-click on the Disabled value and set its data value to 1 in the “Value data” field. Click “OK” to save the change.

Step	Action
1	Open Registry Editor (regedit)
2	Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MediaCodec
3	Create/Locate the HEVCVideoExtension key
4	Create a DWORD value named “Disabled”
5	Set the Disabled value to 1
6	Close Registry Editor
7	Restart your computer

After following these steps, the HEVC video extensions should be disabled on your system.

Third-Party Software Solutions

While Windows and Mac operating systems offer built-in options for disabling HEVC, third-party software can provide additional features and customization options. Here are some popular third-party solutions:

1. K-Lite Codec Pack

K-Lite Codec Pack is a comprehensive collection of codecs and filters that includes support for HEVC. It offers multiple options for disabling HEVC, including removing the decoder or disabling it only for specific applications.

2. Codec Tweak Tool

Codec Tweak Tool is a lightweight and easy-to-use utility that allows you to manage codecs installed on your system. You can disable HEVC decoding by unchecking the corresponding box in the “Disabled Codecs” section.

3. Media Player Codec Pack

Media Player Codec Pack is another popular codec pack that supports HEVC. It includes a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to disable HEVC decoding by selecting the “Disable HEVC” option in the “Advanced Tools” menu.

4. HEVC Video Extension Remover

HEVC Video Extension Remover is a dedicated tool solely focused on disabling the HEVC video extension. It is a quick and convenient solution for users who specifically want to remove the HEVC component from their system.

5. VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is an open-source media player that supports HEVC playback. However, it also offers the option to disable HEVC decoding within its settings. Go to “Preferences” > “Input/Codecs” and uncheck the “Enable HEVC (h265)” box.

6. IrfanView

IrfanView is a popular image viewer and editor that supports HEVC decoding. It provides a simple way to disable HEVC by selecting “Disable HEVC (h265)” in the “Options” > “Properties/Settings” menu.

7. PotPlayer

PotPlayer is a feature-rich media player that offers advanced playback capabilities. It includes the option to disable HEVC decoding in its “Preferences” > “Codecs” > “Video Codecs” section.

8. HandBrake

HandBrake is primarily used for video conversion, but it also offers the ability to disable HEVC decoding. In the “Summary” tab of the conversion process, uncheck the “Enable HEVC encoder” box. Note that this step disables HEVC encoding, not decoding, but it can be useful for systems without the necessary HEVC codecs installed.

HEVCDecoder.exe Has Stopped Working

This error typically indicates a problem with the HEVC decoder installed on your system. Try the following steps to resolve the issue:

Reinstall the HEVC decoder: Go to the Microsoft Store, search for "HEVC Video Extensions," and reinstall the app.
Update your graphics drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause compatibility issues with HEVC video playback. Visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer to download and install the latest drivers.
Disable hardware acceleration: Hardware acceleration can sometimes cause problems with HEVC video playback. To disable it, go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced graphics settings > Graphics settings. Under "Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling," set it to "Off."
Check your video file: Ensure that the video file you’re trying to play is not corrupted or damaged. Try playing a different HEVC video file to see if the issue persists.
Contact the video player developer: If you’re using a third-party video player, contact the developer for support. They may have specific troubleshooting steps for HEVC video playback.

Video Playback Is Stuttering or Lagging

Adjust video quality settings: Lower the video quality settings in the video player to reduce the load on your system.
Close other applications: Close any unnecessary applications running in the background to free up resources for video playback.
Disable browser extensions: If you’re watching HEVC videos in a web browser, disable any extensions that may be interfering with playback.
Check your internet connection: Slow internet speeds can cause buffering and stuttering during video playback. Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Use a different video player: Try using a different video player that is optimized for HEVC video playback.
Update your operating system: Make sure your operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates.
Contact your internet service provider: If you’re experiencing persistent stuttering or lagging, contact your internet service provider to check for any network issues.

Verifying Disablement Success

1. Playback HEVC Content

After disabling HEVC extensions, test whether your device can still play HEVC-encoded content. If playback fails or results in an error message, the disablement was successful.

2. Check System Information

Use a system information tool or command-line utility to verify that the HEVC extension is not present in the list of installed codecs or media components.

3. Disable Driver Support

If you have a dedicated graphics card, ensure that the graphics driver does not include HEVC decoders. Disable or remove any HEVC-related components from the driver settings.

4. Clean Up Installed Applications

Uninstall any applications that may have installed HEVC codecs or extensions. These applications could include video players, media codecs, or video editing software.

5. Use a Media Information Utility

Analyze HEVC-encoded media files using a media information utility or software. Check whether the file properties include HEVC as the video codec. If HEVC is not listed, the disablement was successful.

6. Check MediaMetadata Analyzer

Inspect media files using the MediaMetadata Analyzer tool available in the Windows SDK or similar tools. Look for entries related to HEVC codecs or extensions. Their absence indicates successful disablement.

7. Use a Third-Party Codec Detector

Install a third-party codec detection utility or plugin. These tools provide detailed information about installed codecs, including HEVC. If HEVC is not detected, the disablement was effective.

8. Monitor System Logs

Enable verbose logging in the event viewer or system logs to capture any errors or messages related to HEVC codecs. The absence of such logs suggests successful disablement.

9. Test Device Performance

Compare the performance of your device with and without HEVC extensions enabled. Reduced performance or resource consumption after disabling HEVC indicates a successful disablement.

10. Cross-Reference Documentation and Forums

Seek additional information from official documentation, support articles, and user forums. Consult reliable sources to ensure that you have followed the recommended disablement steps correctly and that the disablement was indeed achieved.

How to Disable HEVC Video Extensions

High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), also known as H.265, is a video compression standard that offers much better compression efficiency than its predecessor, H.264. However, this comes at the cost of increased processing power, which can be an issue for older devices or computers with lower-end GPUs.

If you’re experiencing problems with HEVC video playback, or if you simply want to save some processing power, you can disable HEVC video extensions on your device. Here’s how:

Windows

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to System > Display > Graphics settings.
3. Under “Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling,” make sure the “HEVC video decoding” option is turned off.

macOS

1. Open the System Preferences app.
2. Click on “Displays.”
3. Click on the “Graphics” tab.
4. Uncheck the box next to “Enable HEVC playback.”

iOS and iPadOS

HEVC video decoding is enabled by default on iOS and iPadOS devices. However, there is no built-in way to disable it. If you want to stop your device from decoding HEVC videos, you’ll need to install a third-party app such as “HEVC Video Blocker” from the App Store.