# Installing FFmpeg for Windows

From Audacity Development Manual
The optional FFmpeg library allows Audacity to import and export a much larger range of audio formats including M4A (AAC), AC3, AMR (narrow band) and WMA and also to import audio from most video files.

- Because of software patents, Audacity cannot include the FFmpeg software or distribute it from its own websites. Instead, use the following instructions to download and install the free and recommended FFmpeg third-party library.
- Advanced usage: If you already have Audacity-compatible FFmpeg 2.2.x or 2.3.x shared libraries in the system PATH, Audacity will use those as long as you do not install FFmpeg from the links below and as long as you do not specify the FFmpeg you want Audacity to use in Libraries Preferences.

| Audacity on Windows is now a 64-bit application. This means that if you are a user of previous Audacity versions on Windows and had installed the optional FFmpeg library then you must now install the 64-bit versions of the FFmpeg library, otherwise your imports and exports that depend upon FFmpeg will no longer work. Installing the 64-bit FFmpeg library will not overwrite or delete your 32-bit FFmpeg library if you have one installed.

## Recommended Installer

It is recommended that you exit Audacity before installing FFmpeg.

1. Go to the external FFmpeg download page.
2. Left-click the link FFmpeg v2.2.2 INSTALLER (.EXE) for 64-bit FFmpeg and save the file anywhere on your computer.
3. Left-click FFmpeg_v2.2.2_for_Audacity_on_Windows_64bit(1).exe to launch the installer (you can safely ignore any warnings that the "publisher could not be verified").
4. Read the License and accept it in order for the installation to proceed
5. The installer will install the required files to C:\Program Files\FFmpeg for Audacity
6. If Audacity was running when you installed FFmpeg, either restart Audacity or follow the steps to manually locate FFmpeg.

### Alternative zip download for 64-bit for expert users who want to choose their own library location

1. Go to the external FFmpeg download page.
2. Left click the link FFmpeg v2.2.2 COMPRESSED PACKAGE (.ZIP) for 64-bit FFmpeg
3. Extract the entire contents of the downloaded ZIP file to a folder called "FFmpeg v2.2.2 for Audacity" (or a folder name of your choice) anywhere on your computer
4. Then follow the instructions below to locate the file "avformat-55.dll" using Libraries Preferences.

## Locating the FFmpeg library manually

If you installed FFmpeg while Audacity was running, or if you installed FFmpeg to a non-default location, Audacity will ask you to configure Preferences to locate the FFmpeg library. To do this, access Preferences then the "Libraries" tab on the left:

As seen in the image above, the "FFmpeg Library Version" will say "not found". To correct this:

1. Click the Locate... button to right of "FFmpeg Library:"
2. If a "Success" message indicates Audacity has now automatically detected valid FFmpeg libraries and asks if you want to detect them manually, click No, then OK to close Preferences
3. If the "Locate FFmpeg" dialog appears, click Browse...
4. Navigate to the folder that contains FFmpeg, and select the file avformat-55.dll
5. Click Open then OK and OK again to close Preferences.

  FFmpeg Library Version should now show a set of three version numbers for the sub-libraries of FFmpeg ("F" for libavformat version, "C" for libavcodec version and "U" for libavutil version).

  If you still see "not found", you may have installed the wrong libraries. Click the Download... button to obtain the correct library for your operating system. You can also choose Help > Diagnostics > Show Log... to see diagnostic information about FFmpeg detection.

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