# .MOV files on a PC without installing Quicktime **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 11, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685 "2012-11-11T16:30:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/1 "2012-11-11T16:30:38Z")
It’s been years since I needed/wanted to watch a .MOV file on a PC. There are several iOS devices in the house, but most are in the office—the den and kitchen viewscreens are PC-based. Obviously Quicktime would do it, but I won’t install Apple software on my PC. I believe the last solution I found years ago was Real Alternative, but I don’t know whether progress/simplicity has made it easier. Is there a plug-in for WMP? Winamp? An easy conversion utility? (Note to fanboys: start or participate in a Pit thread if your only contribution is to praise Apple software and insist that I should be installing it anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/2 "2012-11-11T16:46:01Z")
Standard advice these days is to use [VLC](http://www.videolan.org/index.html). It’s a basic, straightforward video player that can handle practically any format ever made. Use it, and you’ll never have to muck around with codec packs and all that nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/3 "2012-11-11T17:22:29Z")
On my new computer, I installed [K-Lite Codec Pack](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-Lite_Codec_Pack). It includes Media Player Classic and codecs to play various types of media files, including .MOV files. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/4 "2012-11-11T17:29:52Z")
Just get [freemake video converter](http://www.freemake.com/free_video_converter/) and load up all of the mov files and convert them to the format of your choice. Then you never have to worry about dodgy codecs and unfamiliar playback software. It’s free and fast especially if you have a fast video card. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/5 "2012-11-11T17:32:23Z")
Thanks–VLC did the trick. Can’t believe I forgot about Media Player Classic; that’s how I first found Real Alternative way back when! ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mov-files-on-a-pc-without-installing-quicktime/640685/6 "2012-11-11T17:37:54Z")
I _think_ MPlayer or SMPlayer should work, but I haven’t personally tested it with a .mov under the latest windows os.