Play a wide range of multimedia files with Windows Media Player and the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack - Tutorial 1 - Installing the codec pack

The K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is a frequently updated and well maintained codec pack for Windows XP and Windows Vista. This tutorial will show you how to install the codec pack on a Windows machine. Before you do this, please read our understanding and obtaining codecs to troubleshoot media playback help guide.

Fortunately, installing the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack is easy. The first thing to do is obtain the very latest version of the codec pack from the K-Lite Codec Pack homepage. The link is at the bottom of this download page (and not to the left or right). Save the file to your desktop, or somewhere you can easily access it. Once the file is downloaded, double click on it to start the installation process. You should then see a window like the one shown below:-

Click "Next >" to move to the window shown below:-

You can scroll down to read some technical information about codecs and the codec pack you are installing, or simply click "Next >" to move to the next part of the installation. You should however take note of the instructions which tell you to uninstall any other codec packs and also close any multimedia software that might be running. Once you click "Next >" you will see the window shown below:-

Here you can choose an installation directory for the codec pack. The default directory is fine for most users, so simply click on "Next >" to move to the window shown below:-

On this window, you can choose the components to install. Unless you are an expert user, you should leave all the options as the default values and click on "Next >". You will then be taken to the window shown below:-

Here you can choose where to create short-cuts for the various configuration utilities that the codec pack installs. Again the default locations are correct for most users, so simply click on "Next >". You will then see the window shown below:-

The installer now offers to do a few additional tasks that you might find useful. If you are unsure about these options, leave all the options at their default settings. You may however, wish to change the "File Associations" setting near the bottom of the window, (use the scroll bar on the left to scroll down to this option if necessary). If you are planning to use Windows Media Player to play back your multimedia files, set the two options circled in red on the picture above. If you do not plan on using Windows Media Player to play your multimedia files, leave these options alone.

Once you have decided on these options, click "Next >" to be taken to the window shown below:-

The installer gives you a chance to review all your settings. Click on "Next >". After a short pause while some files are copied, you should see the window shown below:-

Note- If you do not see this window and instead you see a web browser window, you can safely close or minimise your web browser, you should then see this window. Click on "Finish" to finish installing the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack. You do not need to configure any of the codecs unless you are an expert user.

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