Windows XP Codecs

My email box often has requests for information on how to find exactly what Audio and Video codecs are installed on a users PC.

NB - If you are NOT familiar with codec's then read this page:

http://www.updatexp.com/codec-for-windows-media-player-11.html 

To find this hidden information on your system, you will need to open the Sound and Devices box.

(I am assuming that you are in the native Windows XP "look" to follow these instructions.)

To open Sound and Devices box. simply:

# Go to the START MENU
# Select CONTROL PANEL
# Select SOUNDS, SPEECH & AUDIO DEVICES
# Select SOUND & AUDIO DEVICES

The following Sound and Devices window will then appear:

Hardware Tab - Sounds & Audio Devices Box

Along the top of the box you will see 5 tabs. You will need to select the Hardware tab.

This will then display a list of information. The 2 parts we are interested in are:

Audio Codecs and Video Codecs

Select Audio Codecs from the list and then click the Properties button.

The following Audio Codecs Properties window will appear:

Audio Codec Properties Tab

Now you see the complete list of Audio Codecs installed on your PC. By selecting each codec and then clicking the Properties button you will get a new window appear just like this one:

Individual Codec Properties Window

This window shows you more information about each individual codec installed on your system. For instance, is it enabled and functioning correctly? It also allows you to perform some basic troubleshooting, by allowing you to disable the codec, if you suspect it of causing problems on your system!

These same instructions can be followed to view and troubleshoot the Video Codecs installed on your system!

You might also like to checkout my FREE Codec Utility called "Sherlock The CODEC Detective".

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