# Why won't Vista play .avi files? My old computer did.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 17, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211 "2008-06-17T15:16:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/1 "2008-06-17T15:16:55Z")
That’s about it. It says something about a “codex.” What the hell is a “codex.”
Please explain in plain English.
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### Author:  [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/2 "2008-06-17T15:24:14Z")
[codec](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codec).
Your movies probably use a codec that isn’t installed on your new machine. Maybe [Divx](http://www.divx.com/)?
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### Author:  [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/3 "2008-06-17T15:51:48Z")
I find that when I’m missing a codec, Windows Media Player tells me the exact name in the error message of what is missing. Google that name, and 99% of the time a place to download it for free will be on the first page.
This is on XP, but it probably works with Vista too.
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### Author:  [@Iggins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggins)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/4 "2008-06-17T16:11:23Z")
You may want to try something like this:
> **[Vista Codec Package - Download & Review](https://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Codec-Packs-Video-Codecs/Advanced-Vista-Codec-Package.shtml)**
>
> Download Vista Codec Package 7.2.0 - A complete package that contains a large variety of codecs in filters so you can fully enjoy all of your favorite media files with no compatibility issues
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### Author:  [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/5 "2008-06-17T17:48:01Z")
[Vista Codec Pack](http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/Advanced-Vista-Codec-Package-Download-55586.html) should have everything you need.
ETA: Oh, I see I should have clicked on **Iggins** ’s link. 😛
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### Author:  [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/6 "2008-06-17T18:02:58Z")
You may also want to google, “ffdshow”, which is another excellent free codec pack. Between that and the Vista Codec pack, you should be set.
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### Author:  [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)
#### Post date: [June 17, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/7 "2008-06-17T18:52:02Z")
Note that there are over 800 video formats that use the extension “avi”. Most likely you don’t have the right codec for the particular avi file that you’re trying to read.
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### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [June 19, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-vista-play-avi-files-my-old-computer-did/453211/8 "2008-06-19T03:18:18Z")
That’s a WHOLE lot folks. I’ve been kicking myself in the ass for years for switching from computer science to English lit. I was able to keep up with things (I even wrote dBASE code to calculate grades) until wireless came along. Then I just gave up.