How to Download and Install Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10


The "N" editions of Windows 10 include the same functionality as other editions of Windows 10 except for media-related technologies. The N editions don't include Windows Media Player, Skype, or certain preinstalled media apps (Music, Video, Voice Recorder).

If you use N editions of Windows 10, you must install other software from Microsoft or other companies to have this communication functionality; 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, Windows Hello, and PDF viewing in the new Edge browser rely on Windows Media files that aren't included in N editions. And some websites and software, such as Windows Store apps or Microsoft Office, use Windows Media-related files that aren't included in N editions.

For more information, see:

• Media Feature Pack list for Windows N editions
• Media Feature Pack for N and KN editions of Windows 10 Version 1508 - KB3010081
• Media Feature Pack for N and KN editions of Windows 10 Version 1511 - KB3010081
• Media Feature Pack for N editions of Windows 10 Version 1607 - KB3133719
• Media Feature Pack for N edition of Windows 10 Version 1703 - KB4016817
• Media Feature Pack for N edition of Windows 10 Version 1709 - KB4039813
• Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N (April 2018) Version 1803 - KB4057437
• Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N (October 2018) Version 1809 - KB4134255
• Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N (May 2019) Version 1903

The media-related features that are not provided in N editions of Windows 10 include, but are not limited to, the following.

Feature	Description
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 media metadata (including album art), create an audio CD, transfer music to a portable music player, and play streamed content from the website.
Windows Media Player ActiveX control	Exposes methods and properties for manipulating 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	Enable 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" that enable Windows 10 software experiences 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.
Movies & TV	A preinstalled app that is used to play digital video.
Voice Recorder	A preinstalled app that is used to recording sounds.
Skype	A preinstalled app that is used for messaging and communications.

This tutorial will show you how to download and install or uninstall the Media Feature Pack for N editions of Windows 10.

You must be signed in as an administrator to install or uninstall the Media Feature Pack.

Contents

• Option One: Install or Uninstall Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1909 and Higher
• Option Two: Download and Install Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1903 and Lower

OPTION ONE

Install or Uninstall Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1909 and Higher

See also: Media Feature Pack list for Windows 10 N editions | Microsoft Support

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Apps icon.

2 Click/tap on Apps & features on the left side, and click/tap on the Optional features link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 Do step 4 (install) or step 5 (uninstall) below for what you would like to do.

4 To Install Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1909 and Higher

A) Click/tap on Add a feature. (see screenshot below)

B) Check Media Feature Pack, click/tap on Install, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

5 To Uninstall Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1909 and Higher

A) Click/tap on Media Feature Pack, click/tap on Uninstall, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)

6 When the Media Feature Pack has installed or uninstalled, restart the computer to apply. (see screenshots below)

7 If you installed the Media Feature Pack, you will now be able to install any of the following apps and media codecs you want:

• HEIF Image Extensions (codec)
• VP9 Video Extensions (codec)
• Web Media Extensions (codec)
• Groove Music (app)
• Movies & TV (app)
• Skype (app)
• Voice Recorder (app)
• Xbox Game Bar (app)

OPTION TWO

Download and Install Media Feature Pack for N Editions of Windows 10 version 1903 and Lower

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to go to the Media Feature Pack download page at Microsoft for your version of Windows 10.

(N and KN editions of Windows 10 version 1508)

Download


(N and KN editions of Windows 10 version 1511)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1607)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1703 - April 2017)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1709 - October 2017)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1803 - April 2018)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1809 - October 2018)

Download


(N editions of Windows 10 version 1903 - May 2019)

Download

2 On the Microsoft website, select the language you want, and click/tap on Download. (see screenshot below)

3 Select (check) the same 32-bit or 64-bit MSU as the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 you are installing on, and click/tap on Next to download. (see screenshot below)

4 Save the MSU file to where you like. (see screenshot below)

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded MSU file to install.

That's it,
Shawn Brink

Related Tutorials

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• How to Install or Uninstall Windows Media Player in Windows 10
• Compare Features Between Windows 10 Editions
• How to Manage Optional Features in Windows 10

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