Installed Codec is a free utility developed by NirSoft. This portable tool allows you to view detailed information about all the codec drivers and DirectShow filters currently installed on a Windows system. It also gives you the option to enable or disable codecs and filters, making it a handy troubleshooting and system management utility.
Installed Codec – Check Installed Codecs and DirectShow Filters
Media players often rely on codecs and DirectShow filters to decode and play various audio and video formats. If playback issues occur, it's not always clear which codec is missing or malfunctioning. This software application helps solve this by listing all the codecs on your system and allowing you to disable unnecessary or problematic ones.
Main Features
- Codec Detection: Displays a list of all audio and video codecs installed on your system.
- DirectShow Filters: Shows details about installed filters that media players use for decoding.
- Enable/Disable Support: Quickly disable or re-enable codecs and filters without uninstalling them.
- Detailed Information: View codec type, file description, company name, filename, and more.
- Portable: Runs without installation, ideal for system administrators or portable use.
- Lightweight: Extremely small footprint (~68 KB extracted size).
Why Use Installed Codec?
Playback problems such as missing audio, no video, or crashing media players are often related to codec issues. Installed Codec makes it easy to identify which codecs are present, determine if there are duplicates or conflicts, and disable unneeded ones. This makes it a valuable diagnostic tool for troubleshooting multimedia playback issues on Windows.
Specifications
- Developer: NirSoft
- Extracted Size: ~68 KB
- License: Freeware
- Platform: Windows
- Official Website: Project Page
- Free Download: Installed Codec Download
Final Thoughts
Installed Codec is a lightweight, portable, and reliable tool for checking which codecs and DirectShow filters are installed on your Windows system. Whether you're troubleshooting playback problems or simply want to manage your multimedia environment more effectively, this freeware utility from NirSoft is an excellent solution.