Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am
You may play MPG files on Windows 10 by installing Microsoft’s MPEG-2 Video Extension, using the VLC Player, or converting MPG to MP4.
If you have a file with the .mpg extension it is either a MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 video.
MPG files aren’t common these days compared to MP4. But there are many old video files that are available in the MPG format.
Sometimes you may not be able to play an MPG file on Windows 10. If so, read on to fix the issue.
Why Can’t You Play MPG Files on Windows 10?
On Windows, you can use Windows Media Player or Movies & TV app to play media files.
These media players can only play MPG files that have MPEG-1 video.
If your MPG file has MPEG-2 video, then your Windows Media Player or Movies & TV will not play it by default.
You’ll get the following message. Or your MPEG-2 file may play, but you get only audio.
You’ll be prompted to download and install the MPEG-2 codec into your Windows system.
You can do this for free at the Microsoft Store.
According to Microsoft, the MPEG-2 Extension is a handy tool. It comes with MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 codecs.
The extension will also help if you can’t play MP4 or MKV files.
Also, you can play video files with the following extensions – .mpeg, .ts, .m2ts, .mkv, and .avi.
If you don’t prefer installing Microsoft’s MPEG-2 Video Extension, then you may play MPG files on Windows 10 by using any of the methods below.
Use Windows 7
Do you have a computer with a dual boot system – Windows 7 and Windows 10? If so, then you may use the Windows 7 Windows Media Player to play your MPG files.
The same goes if you have an older computer running Windows 7.
Many fail to understand why Microsoft had ended support for MPG files in Windows 10 when it was available on Windows 7.
Use VLC Media Player
Don’t fancy installing Microsoft’s MPEG-2 Extension?
In that case, you may use the VLC Media Player.
Many have this player installed on their computers. It can play almost any AV format thrown at it.
It can also record your computer screen activity and even change your video quality.
If you don’t already have this player, download it for free and install it on your computer.
After installing it, go to Media and then select Open File.
Select your MPG file and it will start playing.
Other Media Players that Support MPG Playback
VLC isn’t the only player that supports the playback of MPG files. You may use the following players, too.
MPLite
As its name suggests, this is a lightweight media player, based on the popular Media Player Classic. You don’t need to install an additional codec pack to play MPG files.
If you have a TV tuner software program, you can even record TV shows with it.
Check out MPLite.
PotPlayer
PotPlayer is available as a 32 or 64-bit download for Windows.
You have the following support when playing an MPG file on PotPlayer.
You can display text subtitles for DVD and Blu-ray
You may also bookmark your favorite scenes and chapters to watch later. This saves you the trouble of having to look for the point where you last stopped watching the video.
Check out PotPlayer.
MPG Media Players for Android
If you would like to open MPG files through your Android device, you may opt for the following apps.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player for Android works like the desktop version, as mentioned above.
It supports almost every popular video format out there, including MPG files.
Check out VLC for Android.
MX Player
This is another versatile player which supports the playback of MPG files.
The player boasts hardware acceleration and multi-core decoding to ensure smooth playback of video files.
Check out the MX Player.
Convert MPG Files to MP4
Don’t have an existing media player that supports MPG file playback? Don’t fancy installing a play just for that purpose?
If so, you may use an MPG to MP4 converter.
Unless you already have a video converter program on your computer, you would want to use a free online video converter. This is if you have an MPG file with a small size.
You can use the online MPG to MP4 conversion service anywhere there’s a decent Internet connection.
An example of a reliable MPG to MP4 online converter is Online Convert.
Just drag and drop your MPG file and hit Start. Within minutes (or seconds, depending on file size), your file will be converted to MP4.
Once your MPG file is converted to MP4, you can play it over the Windows Media Player or Movies & TV app.
Check out a list of online MPG to MP4 converters.
You have learned the different ways to play MPG files on Windows 10. Choose your preferred method and give it a try.
Also, read How to Play MPG Files on Android.
