Video conversion
Convert MKV to WMV
Updated Jul 2026
MKV is a flexible container that can hold video at near-original quality, often with multiple audio tracks and subtitles bundled in. WMV is an older Windows format built for smaller files and native playback in Windows Media Player. To convert, open the file in a converter and export it as WMV. Doing this on your own computer means the video never leaves your machine.
- Extension
- .mkv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- High-quality video containers
- Extension
- .wmv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Windows video
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert MKV to WMV on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MKV to WMV
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MKV file, or a whole folder of them.
- Choose WMV as the output format.
- Convert. The WMV file is written next to your original, and nothing is uploaded anywhere.
MKV vs WMV: what actually changes
| MKV | WMV | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Larger, holds high-quality video and audio | Smaller, compressed for easier sharing |
| Quality | Can be lossless or near-original | Lossy, loses some detail on every re-encode |
| Plays natively in Windows Media Player | No, needs a compatible player installed | Yes |
| Works well on Mac and mobile | Mostly, with the right player | Poorly, it's a Windows-specific format |
| Multiple audio tracks and subtitles | Yes, can hold several at once | Limited, usually just one of each |
| Codec flexibility | Can wrap many different video and audio codecs | Tied to Windows Media's own codec |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MKV to WMV when you need the file to play natively in Windows Media Player, or when you're importing into an older Windows program that doesn't recognize MKV.
Keep the MKV original if you care about preserving picture quality or want to hang onto its extra audio tracks and subtitles, since converting to WMV is a lossy re-encode that flattens both.
Why not just use an online converter?
Video files are often the largest and most personal files on your computer, home recordings, downloaded shows, screen captures. An online converter means uploading that file to a stranger's server and waiting for it to come back. Converting on your own computer keeps the video, and everything in it, on your machine the whole time.
Questions
Does converting MKV to WMV lose quality?
Yes, some. WMV uses lossy compression, so the video is re-encoded and loses a bit of detail in the process. For everyday playback it's usually not noticeable, but it's not reversible.
Will I lose subtitles or extra audio tracks?
Often, yes. MKV can hold multiple subtitle tracks and audio languages at once, and WMV typically only keeps one of each. Check the converted file before deleting your original.
Why won't my MKV file play in Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player doesn't support MKV out of the box. Converting to WMV, or installing a codec pack, are the two usual fixes, and converting is the more reliable one.
Can I convert MKV to WMV without uploading the file?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file locally on your computer, so it never travels over the internet, even with your wifi turned off.
Is WMV still worth using in 2026?
It's mostly relevant if you're dealing with older Windows software or hardware that expects it. For general sharing and playback today, more universally supported formats are usually a better choice.
Morphjet converts MKV, WMV, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.