Windows 11 and Ac-3 audio

[vwracer409]

The GF kids bought her a new lappy, with Win 11. but no audio on video playback. A little snooping showed me this version doesn.t have the codecs for Ac-3, and found a fix. My question is, does anyone know WHY MS took it out? All this chatter about how great this was going to be, and they still drop the ball.

 

[whoisit]

Probably licensing?

 

[Paladin]

Yeah licensing I think. Just grab a player like VLC or the K-Lite codec pack that comes with MPC-HC player and it should be fine.

https://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

I think Microsoft might have offered a download in the Windows Store for surround sound or extra audio and video codec packages at some point maybe?

 

[almostinsane]

Yeah licensing I think. Just grab a player like VLC or the K-Lite codec pack that comes with MPC-HC player and it should be fine.

https://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm

I think Microsoft might have offered a download in the Windows Store for surround sound or extra audio and video codec packages at some point maybe?

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/ac-3-...ded-with-windows-11-version-24h2.25597/page-3


On versions of Windows prior to Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is included.

Beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is no longer included with Windows.However, many device manufacturers will pre-install an AC-3 codec. Also, if you upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2 from an earlier version of Windows, the AC-3 codec will be retained. In these cases, you will still be able to play files encoded with the AC-3 audio codec.

 

[redleader]

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/ac-3-...ded-with-windows-11-version-24h2.25597/page-3


On versions of Windows prior to Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is included.

Beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is no longer included with Windows.However, many device manufacturers will pre-install an AC-3 codec. Also, if you upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2 from an earlier version of Windows, the AC-3 codec will be retained. In these cases, you will still be able to play files encoded with the AC-3 audio codec.

Waiting until a format goes off patent and could be used without paying license to remove it from Windows is so on brand for modern Microsoft.

 

[LordDaMan]

Waiting until a format goes off patent and could be used without paying license to remove it from Windows is so on brand for modern Microsoft.

It almost 9 years ago.

 

[redleader]

It almost 9 years ago.

AFAIK they actually supported E-AC-3 which just went off patent:

The last of the patents for Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC-3) appears to have expired around January 30, 2026, marking the end of patent-related restrictions for this widely used audio format. This expiration (specifically for patent US7516064) allows for freer, open-source adoption, similar to the 2017 expiration of the original AC-3

 

[s@nDOk@n]

I wish EAC3 went to fuck with no return ticket. AAC works just great for me, at low and high bitrates.

 

[vwracer409]

Leave it to Microsoft to mess up a free lunch