mpv as a Linux alternative to Windows Media Player

Updated October 26, 2026

Our verdict

mpv is a strong replacement for Windows Media Player if you prioritize format support and performance over a polished GUI. It plays all common formats like MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, FLAC, and even WMV without extra codecs. While it lacks a traditional menu-driven interface, its keyboard-driven controls are efficient once learned. It’s ideal for users comfortable with minimal interfaces and wanting lightweight, no-frills playback. Beginners may struggle initially, but those willing to learn basic shortcuts gain a powerful, fast player.

Feature parity85%

License: GPL-2.0+ AND LGPL-2.0-or-later
Price: Free
Latest version: v0.41.0 (December 21, 2025)
Rating: —

Install mpv Website ↗

mpv screenshot — The main window showing the application in action

What works the same

Plays common formats including MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, and FLAC
Supports basic playback: play, pause, seek
Handles external subtitles seamlessly
Lightweight and fast startup
Responds to multimedia keys on keyboards

What is different

No native playlist window — playlist management is file- or command-based
No built-in library organization like Windows Media Player's media library
Relies on keyboard shortcuts; no mouse-centric GUI by default
Configuration is text-file based, not GUI-driven
Does not import WMV-specific playlists or metadata databases

Opening your Windows Media Player files

mpv opens most files that Windows Media Player handles, including MP3, MP4, AVI, MKV, FLAC, and WMV. It decodes WMV natively without plugins. You can drag and drop files directly. It reads common playlist formats like M3U and handles embedded and external subtitles. If you have legacy .asf or .wma files, mpv usually plays them, but DRM-protected content won’t work. No export function exists — it’s a player, not an editor.

Switching from Windows Media Player to mpv, step by step

Install mpv via your package manager: 'sudo apt install mpv' or equivalent
Copy your media files — no conversion needed for MP3, MP4, MKV, AVI, FLAC, WMV
Drag and drop files or folders onto mpv to play
Use 's' to take screenshots, 'Space' to play/pause, '→'/'←' to seek
Optionally create ~/.config/mpv/mpv.conf for custom settings
Enable MPRIS if you want media controls in GNOME or KDE

Key features of mpv

Wide format and codec support
Keyboard‑driven control
Drag‑and‑drop playlist
External configuration files
Multimedia key support
Scriptable via Lua and JSON‑RPC

How to install mpv on Linux

Flatpak (Flathub)flatpak install flathub io.mpv.Mpv

Ubuntu / Mintsudo apt install mpv

Debiansudo apt install mpv

Fedorasudo dnf install mpv

Arch / Manjarosudo pacman -S mpv

openSUSEsudo zypper install mpv

Frequently asked questions

Can mpv play my old WMV files?

Yes, mpv supports WMV playback natively without extra codecs. Just open the file directly. However, DRM-protected WMV files won't play due to license restrictions.

Is there a GUI like Windows Media Player?

mpv has no built-in GUI by default. It’s keyboard-driven. You can use frontends like mpv.net on Windows or GUI wrappers like Bukkake or Celluloid on Linux for a more familiar look.

How do I add subtitles?

Place subtitle files in the same directory with the same name as the video, or load them with the '--sub-file' option. mpv supports SRT, ASS, and other common formats.