KMPlayer 4.2.3.37 for Windows

KMPlayer 4.2.3.37 is a free media player for Windows from the Korean company Pandora TV that plays most video and audio formats without separate codec packs. You can download KMPlayer from the official site in 32-bit or 64-bit form and use it for films, series, music and recordings of almost any kind.

Overview

KMPlayer has been around since 1 October 2002, which makes it one of the long-running names among Windows players. Its approach is to carry its own decoders, so files in MKV, AVI, MP4, FLV and many other containers open straight away, together with the audio tracks and subtitles packed inside them. That is the main reason people pick it over the player built into Windows. Subtitle handling has always been a strong side: you can load external subtitle files, change font, size and position, shift the timing when the text runs ahead of the speech and switch between several tracks. Hardware acceleration moves decoding to the graphics card, which, as the developer points out, keeps CPU usage low and allows high-quality playback even on weaker PCs or while other programs are running. Beyond that there are playback speed control, A-B repeat, screenshot capture, audio equaliser, video filters and a large set of keyboard shortcuts for people who prefer not to touch the mouse. Versions for Android and iOS exist too, but this page is about the Windows player.

How to install

1. Open the KMPlayer for PC page and choose the 64-bit or 32-bit edition that matches your Windows.
2. Run the installer and read each screen: decline additional software you did not ask for.
3. Choose whether KMPlayer should become the default player for video files.
4. Open a video by dragging it into the window or via the right-click menu.

System requirements

According to the developer, the minimum is Windows Vista 32-bit with DirectX 9 or higher and 150Mb of installation space. The recommended setup is Windows 10, 64-bit or 32-bit, with DirectX 9 or higher and the same 150Mb of space. The download itself is about 55.00 MB according to catalogue data.

Safety

Download the player only from kmplayer.com. Copies on file-sharing sites are sometimes repackaged with adware. The official installer may also suggest partner programs, so uncheck them during setup. If you open files from unknown sources, keep the player updated.

Price

KMPlayer is freeware. The free version shows advertising inside the interface; there is no mandatory payment to play files.

Pros and cons

• Pro: opens most formats without extra codecs.
• Pro: detailed subtitle settings.
• Pro: hardware acceleration for smooth playback on modest PCs.
• Con: ads in the interface.
• Con: partner offers in the installer.
• Con: many settings can overwhelm new users.

Alternatives

Other video players on our site include VLC media player, GOM Player and Windows Media Player. If you prefer to keep a lighter player and add format support system-wide, K-Lite Codec Pack is an option, and HEVC Player focuses on HEVC video.