Media feature pack for windows 10 n and kn versions of windows 10

In Windows 10 1511, this update is superseded by update 3099229 for the November 2015 release of Media Feature Pack.

This Media Feature Pack applies to Windows 10 version 1508. If you have a different version of Windows, please go to KB 3145500 to find the appropriate Media Feature Pack for your version of Windows.

Introduction

The N and KN editions of Windows 10 include the same functionality as Windows 10, except for media-related technologies (Windows Media Player) and certain preinstalled media apps (Groove Music, Video, Voice Recorder, and Skype). You must install other software from Microsoft or a third-party for this communication functionality and to play or create audio CDs, media files, and video DVDs, to stream music, and to take and store pictures. New features such as Cortana and PDF viewing in the new Edge browser rely on Windows Media files that are not present in these editions.

Some websites and software, such as Windows Store apps or Microsoft Office, use Windows Media-related files that are not incorporated into these editions of Windows. Users can make these websites and software work correctly by installing the Media Feature Pack for N and KN editions of Windows 10.

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Excluded features

The N and KN editions include the same functionality as Windows 10 editions, except for Windows Media Player and related technologies. The excluded technologies include, but are not limited to, the following features:

• Windows Media Player user experience: Enables Windows Media Player features such as the ability to play media files and audio CDs, manage media in a library, create a playlist, provide metadata (including album art) for media, create an audio CD, transfer music to a portable music player, and play streaming content from a website.

• Windows Media Player ActiveX control: Exposes methods and properties to manipulate multimedia playback from a webpage or an app.

• Windows Media Format: Provides support for the Advanced Systems Format (ASF) file container, the Windows Media audio and video codecs, basic network streaming capability, and digital rights management (DRM).

• Windows Media DRM: Enables the secure delivery of protected content for playback on a computer, portable device, or network device.

• Media sharing and Play To: Enables music, pictures, and videos on a networked computer to be shared with other computers and devices on the same network. Also enables computers to find those kinds of files on the network.

• Media Foundation: Provides support for content protection, audio and video quality, and interoperability for DRM.

• Windows 8.1 Portable Devices (WPD) infrastructure: Communicates with attached media and storage devices, including devices that support the Media Transfer Protocol.

• MPEG, WMA, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, AMR, and Dolby Digital audio codecs: Enables the playback of digital audio content such as MP3, WMA, MPEG-2 audio, AAC audio, FLAC and ALAC audio, and AC-3 audio.

• VC-1, MPEG-4, H.264, H.265, and H.263 codecs: «Standards-based codec components» (as they are collectively called) enable Windows 10 program such as Windows Media Player to support activities that include the playback and creation of multimedia files that are encoded with standards-based codecs.

• Groove Music: A preinstalled app that is used to play digital music.

• Video: A preinstalled app that is used to play digital video.

• Voice Recorder: A preinstalled app that is used to record sounds.

• Skype: A preinstalled app that is used for messaging and communications.

Effect on other features

Some features are not removed. However, they are affected by the media technology removal in the N and KN editions. These features include the following:

• App Sync: This feature does not work.

• OneDrive and Photos: These apps cannot play videos.

• Xbox app: Some functionality associated with this app (such as Game DVR) do not work, and Windows Gaming Settings will not be available.

• HomeGroup: Integrated media sharing through streaming features do not work.

• Webcam: This feature does not work.

• Windows Portable Devices: There is no support for media synchronization, image acquisition, or file browsing.

• Windows 10 camera devices: Cameras that use the picture transfer protocol (PTP) do not work.

• Sound Recorder: Recordings are limited to the WAV format.

• Group Policy for removable disks: This feature does not work.

• Cortana Personal Assistant: Speech interaction with Cortana does not work.

• Windows Store Media Content: Audio and video content acquired via the Store cannot be played. Also, preview of audio or video content in the Store does not work.

• Wireless Display: This feature does not work.

• PDF Viewing in Edge: This feature does not work.

You need to install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10 N/KN editions to enable all multimedia features. Features like Windows Media Player, Music, Video, Voice Recorder, etc. are not included in the N/KN editions of Windows.

Why are these features not included in Windows 10 N Edition?

This is because of European laws. N stands for No Media. European competition authorities forbid companies to package media products inside of Windows to make sure other media companies can compete with Microsoft on the Windows platform.

The story is similar in the case of Windows 10 KN Edition. Microsoft abides by the Korean laws and does not add the multimedia functionality by default in Windows.

So who needs the Media Feature Pack?

To add the multimedia functionality in Windows 10, you will need to install Media Feature Pack. Microsoft explains in this article about which functionality is not available in the N and KN editions of Windows 10. Here are some of the points:

• New features such as Windows Mixed Reality, Cortana, Windows Hello, and PDF viewing in the new Edge browser that rely on Windows Media files are not included in Windows 10 N.
• Some websites and software, such as Windows Store applications and Microsoft Office, use Windows Media-related files that are not included in Windows 10 N edition. Except for Windows Mixed Reality, users can make these websites and software work correctly by installing the Media Feature Pack for N versions of Windows 10.
• The Media Feature Pack for N versions of Windows 10 is incompatible with Windows Mixed Reality. Users who want to use Windows Mixed Reality must install a non-N version of Windows 10.

In this article, we will explain the steps to install and activate Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N/KN Version 1909 (also applies for Version 1903).

But first, how do I check if I have N/KN edition of Windows 10?

This is simple. Go to Run –> winver.

It will tell you exactly which version and edition of Windows you are running. Here is a screenshot of mine:

Install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10 N/KN Version 1909

Earlier, Microsoft used to provide download links for media feature packs for each new version of Windows 10. But from Version 1903, the MFP has been added to optional features and can be installed directly from the control panel. Let’s go through the steps to add Media Feature Pack:

1. Open Windows Settings and go to Apps.
2. Under Apps & Features, click on Optional features.
3. Click on Add a feature
4. Find Media Feature Pack from the list.
5. Clicking on the item will enable the Install button. Press the button to download and install the feature automatically.

Please note that you will need to install Windows Media Player separately. You can find and install it using the same list.

After the installation is complete, you can see Media Feature Pack and Windows Media Player in the list of optional features in the Apps.

After installing Media Feature Pack, you can install media codecs from Microsoft Store to make the most out of your multimedia experience. Here are some interesting codec packs:

VP9 Video Extensions (Play streaming videos over the Internet)

Web Media Extensions (For Edge and Windows 10 to support open-source media formats)

HEIF Image Extensions (Read and write high-efficiency image files)

Uninstall Media Feature Pack from Windows 10

Uninstalling Media Feature Pack from Windows 10 is very similar to the installation. Here are the steps involved:

1. Go to Windows Settings –> Apps.
2. Under Apps & Features, click on Optional features
3. You will see Media Feature Pack in the list of installed optional features
4. Click on the item and the Uninstall option will appear.
5. Click on the Uninstall button to completely remove Media Feature Pack from Windows 10.

Please note that you need an active Internet connection to install optional features in Windows 10. And a restart is required after installation of Windows Media Pack to start working correctly.

What are your thoughts about this functionality by Microsoft? Did you prefer to download the Media Feature Pack or are you comfortable with Microsoft adding the tool to its optional features?

Are you living in Europe or South Korea? By default, Windows 10 will come without Windows Media Player and other media capabilities in these two regions. The features include video and audio playback, audio and video CD creation and management of playlists and music libraries. In this guide, you will learn how to install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10 (KN/N Versions) 1909.

However, In Windows 10 KN/N editions you’ll need to install Media Feature Pack to enable all multimedia capabilities. The N/KN versions of Windows do not include features like the Windows Media Player, Music, Video, Voice Recorder, etc.

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Meanwhile, due to European legislation. N means No Media. European competition authorities forbid companies from selling media goods inside Windows to ensure that other media firms can compete on the Windows platform against Microsoft. For the Windows 10 KN Version, the story is identical. Microsoft complies with the laws of Korea and not by default in Windows adding multimedia features.

Who Needs the Media Feature Pack in Windows 10 Pack and Why?

If anyone is using Windows 10 N/KN, the media features are missing. There are other issues. Without the media features that are missing from Windows 10 N and KN:

• Apps with media playback features (Groove Music, Video app, etc.) will not work.
• New features such as Windows Mixed Reality, Cortana, Windows Hello, and a PDF display in the new Windows Media-based Edge browser are not included in Windows 10 N and KN.
• Connecting smartphones, cameras, and mobile devices via USB cable fail because the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) and Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) are not allowed for data transfer.

What is an N or KN edition of Windows?

N versions of Windows are available in Europe, and a few media-related features are missing. They don’t include Windows Media Player, Groove Music, Movies & TV, Skype, or Voice Recorder on Windows 10.

Meanwhile, Windows KN editions are available in Korea. They remove Windows Media Player and related multimedia features, just like Windows N. When KN versions of Windows are created, they also remove Windows Messenger. However, this application has since been discontinued by Microsoft.

How Do I Check If I have N/KN Edition of Windows 10?

To know which edition of Windows 10 you are using then follow the below steps:

• Press Windows + R to open Run.
• Type winver and click OK.

It tells you exactly which Windows version and edition you run. As you can see in the screenshot below.

Also Read: How to Enable Windows Media Player in Windows 10

How to Install Media Feature Pack in Windows 10 (N/KN Edition) 1909

Previously, for each latest version of Windows 10, Microsoft provided download links for media feature packs like 1903 (May 2019), 1809 (October 2018), 1803 (April 2018), and 1709 (October 2017). Unfortunately, for 1909 there is no link to download and the media feature pack has been added to optional features and can be installed directly from the Windows settings.

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open the Windows Settings app.

Step 2. Click Apps.

Step 3. Click Optional features under Apps & features.

Step 4. Click Add a feature.

Note: For a Windows 10 Version 1909 N variant, the Media Feature Pack should be offered for installation.

Step 5. Now, look for Media Feature Pack. You can find it below the Malayalam Supplemental Fonts option. Click on it to enable the Install button and select Install.

Step 6. Wait for the installation process to complete.

Step 7. When done, Restart your device.

You can see Media Feature Pack and Windows Media Player in the list of optional features in the Apps as soon as the installation is complete. You can download media codecs from the Microsoft Store after the Media Feature Pack is enabled so that you can take advantage of your multimedia experience.

Wrapping Up

That’s it. This is how you can download and Install Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 KN and N edition for the 1909 version within the Settings app and there’s no need to visit Microsoft’s official website to download MFP for the 1909 version. However, if you’re using 1903 (May 2019) or before, you can download MFP from Microsoft’s official website.