Video tool · Free

Compress WMV Online - Free

Shrink a WMV file without it falling apart. It comes back as a small MP4 that plays everywhere.

Free to start
In your browser
Up to 1GB

How it works

Compress WMV in 3 steps

Upload your WMV
Drag and drop the WMV file, or click to browse. Anything under 1GB.
A balanced level is pre-set
Compression and resolution start at a level most people cannot tell from the original. Push either further in the panel if you need it smaller.
Compress and download
The smaller file downloads as MP4. Create a free account to download it, or keep editing in REQO.

Why WMV files are big, and what comes back

WMV is Microsoft’s Windows Media format. It shows up in old corporate video libraries and PowerPoint exports, and it stops dead the moment a file has to leave Windows.

macOS, iOS and Android need extra software, and usually just fail.

Browsers cannot play WMV, so it can never be embedded on a page.

The compressed file comes back as MP4 (H.264 video, AAC audio), not WMV. That is where most of the saving comes from: H.264 in MP4 is the most efficient format that every phone, browser and upload form accepts. If something downstream insists on WMV, convert the result back with the MP4 to WMV converter.

Container

Your WMVAdvanced Systems Format (ASF)

The MP4 you get backMPEG-4 Part 14

Typical codecs

Your WMVWindows Media Video

The MP4 you get backH.264 video, AAC audio

Plays on

Your WMVWindows; almost nothing else

The MP4 you get backEvery phone, browser, TV and editor

File size

Your WMVModerate, but dated compression

The MP4 you get backSmall for the quality

Feature	Your WMV	The MP4 you get back
Container	Advanced Systems Format (ASF)	MPEG-4 Part 14
Typical codecs	Windows Media Video	H.264 video, AAC audio
Plays on	Windows; almost nothing else	Every phone, browser, TV and editor
File size	Moderate, but dated compression	Small for the quality

FAQ

compress wmv: questions

Will my WMV stay a WMV?

No, it comes back as MP4. The compressor renders H.264 video with AAC audio, which is both smaller than most WMV files and playable everywhere. Use the MP4 to WMV converter afterwards if you need the original container.

Does compression ruin the quality?

At the pre-set level most viewers will not see a difference. Quality only falls apart when you compress hard AND keep a high resolution, which is why the panel pairs a level with a resolution.

Is compressing WMV free?

Yes. Compress and preview free, and a free account downloads the result. Free exports and share pages include a small REQO badge. Go Pro to remove it.

Same tool, other presets