Browse Tools Top 100
WMV MOV
File conversion

Convert WMV to MOV

Convert now
Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 20, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert WMV to MOV?
Yes - WMV converts to MOV.

You can do it right here with our free converter - no sign-up, and your file is deleted right after.

Upload your WMV above and download the MOV - it takes under a minute and is free. The main caveat: WMV and MOV use incompatible codecs, so the video is re-encoded to H.264, meaning a small quality loss compared to the original.

Also to MOV: MXF · R3D · MPEG4

On this page

Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Sep 2026

More free converters

HEIC, PNG, WEBP, MP3 and more - every tool here is free.

Open the toolbox
WMV → MOV converterFREE

Why convert WMV to MOV?

MOV is the native container for Final Cut Pro and QuickTime on macOS, so editors working in Apple-centric workflows often need footage in .MOV rather than WMV. WMV is a Windows-only format that macOS cannot play without third-party software, making conversion necessary before editing or sharing on Apple devices.

How to convert WMV to MOV

ffmpeg CLI

Run ffmpeg -i input.wmv -vcodec h264 -acodec aac output.mov to convert with H.264 video and AAC audio.

HandBrake FREE

Open your WMV in HandBrake, choose H.264 video, and export - note HandBrake outputs MP4, not MOV; use ffmpeg if the MOV container is strictly required.

VLC media player FREE

Go to Media > Convert/Save, add your WMV, set output to H.264 with a .mov extension, and click Start.

Freemake Video Converter FREE

Add your WMV, choose the MOV or Apple preset, and click Convert - a straightforward GUI for Windows users.

Programs that convert WMV

Miro Video Converter
Nero Multimedia Suite
Aimersoft DRM Media Converter for Windows
Aimersoft iTransfer for Windows
Alldj Video Converter
Apple TV Video Converter
ConvertXtoDVD
DVD Ripper+Video Converter Ultimate

About these formats

.WMV Windows Media Video

A WMV file is a Windows Media Video file from Microsoft, introduced in 1999. On Windows it plays in the built-in Media Player with no setup. On Mac, Linux, Android or iOS, use the free VLC…

Open .WMV details →
.MOV Apple QuickTime Movie (.mov)

A MOV file is an Apple QuickTime movie - the default format for video recorded on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. On a Mac, double-click it to play in QuickTime Player. On Windows 10/11, the…

Open .MOV details →

Quality & what to watch

  • WMV and MOV use incompatible codecs (VC-1 vs H.264), so conversion is always a lossy re-encode - there is no lossless path.
  • DRM-protected WMV files (common in older Windows Media downloads) cannot be converted by any standard tool.
  • WMV audio (WMA) must be re-encoded to AAC for proper playback in QuickTime and Final Cut Pro.

Frequently asked questions

Can QuickTime on macOS play WMV files directly?
No - modern macOS QuickTime cannot open WMV since the old Flip4Mac plugin is discontinued, so convert to MOV first.
Will I lose quality when converting WMV to MOV?
Yes, slightly - it is a lossy-to-lossy re-encode; at typical quality settings the difference is barely visible, but it cannot be avoided.
Does HandBrake output MOV files?
No - HandBrake exports MP4 or MKV, not MOV. Final Cut Pro accepts both, but use ffmpeg if you specifically need the MOV container.
Why won't ffmpeg open my WMV file?
The most common cause is DRM protection. Open the file in VLC first - it will show a DRM error message if that is the issue.