Video conversion
Convert MP4 to WMV
Updated Jul 2026
MP4 is the video format that plays almost anywhere, and WMV is the format built for Windows Media Player and older Windows software. To convert MP4 to WMV, open the file in a converter and export it as WMV. Doing this on your own computer means the video never has to be uploaded anywhere first.
- Extension
- .mp4
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- The universal video format
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .wmv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Windows video
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert MP4 to WMV on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MP4 to WMV
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MP4 file, or a whole folder of them, that you want to convert.
- Choose WMV as the output format.
- Convert. The WMV files are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
MP4 vs WMV: what actually changes
| MP4 | WMV | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens everywhere | Yes, plays on Mac, Windows, phones, browsers, TVs | Mostly Windows, other players and devices vary |
| File size | Compact, modern compression | Similar or larger for the same quality |
| Quality | High, efficient modern codecs | Noticeably softer at a matching file size |
| Streaming and web upload | Accepted almost everywhere | Rarely accepted, needs converting back |
| Legacy Windows software support | Not always recognized by very old programs | Native format for older Windows Media tools |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MP4 to WMV when an older Windows program, an embedded PowerPoint video, or a piece of legacy hardware specifically asks for a WMV file and won't take anything else.
Keep the MP4 if you're sharing, uploading, or streaming the video normally, since MP4 plays on more devices and holds better quality at a smaller size than WMV.
Why not just use an online converter?
Video files are often personal, and they're also big, which means an online converter needs a long upload before it can even start working on your file. Converting MP4 to WMV on your own computer skips that upload entirely. The footage stays on your machine the whole time, and nothing sits on a stranger's server while it converts.
Questions
Does converting MP4 to WMV lose quality?
Yes, some. WMV uses an older, less efficient codec, so at a similar file size the picture looks softer than the MP4 original. If quality matters, keep the MP4 and only make a WMV copy when you actually need one.
Will a WMV file play on a Mac or an iPhone?
Not reliably. WMV was built for Windows Media Player, and playback on Mac, iPhone, and Android is inconsistent without extra software. If you need broad compatibility, MP4 is the safer choice.
Does the audio carry over when converting to WMV?
Yes, the audio track converts along with the video. You may notice a small quality change if the audio gets re-encoded, but it won't be silent or missing.
Why would I need WMV instead of just using MP4?
Mostly for older Windows-specific software, like legacy video editors or PowerPoint presentations built years ago, that expect WMV and don't handle MP4 cleanly. Outside of that, MP4 usually works better.
Can I convert MP4 to WMV without uploading the video?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally, so the video never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts MP4, WMV, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.