Windows 10 to support Flac and MKV natively

One of the first things that I do after installing Windows on a PC that I plan to use or configure for someone that I like is to install VLC Media Player or SMPlayer to cover all media playing needs.

Windows Media Player is not really a bad program but it is very limited in what it can play and what it does not support. While it plays mp4 fine for example it does not know what to do with file types such as mkv, flac or flv.

Mkv is a popular format and flac is the format of choice for many audiophiles who dislike mp3 and its compression.

Anyway, it seems that Microsoft's change of heart in regards to Windows and future versions of the operating system did not end with the design of a new start menu and a dynamic interface.

According to Grabriel Aul, leader of Microsoft's Data & Fundamentals team of the Operating Systems Group, flac support is coming to Windows 10.

Gabriel posted a screenshot of Windows Media Player to his Twitter account.

If you look closely you will notice that all media files are of the flac type. This confirms that Microsoft is working on integrating flac support natively in the Windows 10 operating system.

He confirmed earlier this month that mkv support was also coming to Windows 10 and that the operating system will support the format natively.

Last but not least HEVC support has also been announced by him.

So what does that mean?

It means that Windows 10 will support several media formats out of the box that previous versions of Windows did not support.

Programs like Windows Media Player and third-party programs take advantage of this by playing these file types out of the box.

It does not change a thing for other file types for now. FLV support has not been announced for example which means that users still need to install a codec to add support for missing formats or use a different media player right away which ships with support for these missing formats.

For me, it is a sign that Microsoft is prepared to leave its old path and embrace new things. Yes, those are small steps but they are certainly welcome by users who use these formats and Windows Media Player.