Archive notice: This article was originally published on December 9, 2014. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Until now, additional software was always needed to play the MKV format in Windows, such as the VLC media player. However, the Windows Media Player in the currently public build 9860 of version 10 is able to play not only the MKV format, but also the H.265 codec. This works more efficiently than the H.264 codec currently used on Blu-rays and by digital television and will become relevant for Ultra HD resolutions in the future.
This was announced via Twitter by Microsoft manager Gabriel Aul, who is currently responsible for the Technical Preview programme for Windows. Based on telemetry data from Windows users transmitted by Windows Media Player, Microsoft knew which formats were played particularly often.
Further features in Windows 10
Further news in Windows 10 is said to include the return of the Start menu; Windows wants to combine the programme list from Windows 7 with the app tiles from version 8. According to Microsoft, Windows apps will then once again start in windowed mode, and the buttons for minimising, maximising and closing the window will also return.
If you would like to take a look at the Technical Preview of Windows 10, you can register for the Windows Insider Programme here and support Microsoft in its development. The preview is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
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Redakteurin der Digital Production
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- Mirja Fürst
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