Microsoft Officially drops AC3 (Dolby Digital) Support from W11 24H2

[Shou Miko]

AC3 is mainly used in video files. You will usually install an app such as mpv or vlc and then AC3 will automatically work on Windows, isn't it?
I usually install mpv media player on OpenBSD and Linux systems and AC3 audio always works great.

Problems is the codec has been removed and using something like Plex it's not a codec pack than there is no audio.

 

[lexluthermiester]

You will usually install an app such as mpv or vlc and then AC3 will automatically work on Windows, isn't it?

MediaPlayerClassic has AC3 support built in, Windows codecs are not needed. VLC is the same.

using something like Plex it's not a codec pack than there is no audio.

Then don't use Plex. Use something with proper built-in codec support.

 

[Shou Miko]

Then don't use Plex. Use something with proper built-in codec support.

I run my own media server so it's not an options sadly.

 

[freeagent]

I just use the one from the store, it was only a few bucks.. and it is tied to your account.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I run my own media server so it's not an options sadly.

Sure it is. Setup up your network with proper shares and run an AC3 compatible media player locally to the machine doing the playback. There are no media players that I know of that can not play files over a network. It's really very easy, you just have to setup your network properly.

 

[Nordomus]

Thank you very much for the solution, I have one more problem though after installing those codecs via AnWave, the volume of Atmos content is CONSIDERABLY lower now than when I had old W11 version with their codecs, can I adjust it somehow?

 

[Shou Miko]

Thank you very much for the solution, I have one more problem though after installing those codecs via AnWave, the volume of Atmos content is CONSIDERABLY lower now than when I had old W11 version with their codecs, can I adjust it somehow?

What media player are you using? Personally I use MPC-BE and Plex I haven't noticed much other then Atmos can be low on stereo speakers or non-certified speakers.

 

[Nordomus]

What media player are you using? Personally I use MPC-BE and Plex I haven't noticed much other then Atmos can be low on stereo speakers or non-certified speakers.

I'm using Apple Music app, and Samsung 990B soundbar connected via display port on 4090 GPU. Anyway on old version of Windows 11 with built in codecs for atmos I was using around 18% soundbar power to have VERY loud sound. Now I have to crank it up to 40% or something to barely match this volume. There is no change in games, usually it's around 14-16% so it is definitely codec problem for music. It is actually pretty dangerous ATM because if I have it set to 40% for Atmos and I would receive notification or something I could lose hearing.

 

[Shou Miko]

I'm using Apple Music app, and Samsung 990B soundbar connected via display port on 4090 GPU. Anyway on old version of Windows 11 with built in codecs for atmos I was using around 18% soundbar power to have VERY loud sound. Now I have to crank it up to 40% or something to barely match this volume. There is no change in games, usually it's around 14-16% so it is definitely codec problem for music. It is actually pretty dangerous ATM because if I have it set to 40% for Atmos and I would receive notification or something I could lose hearing.

Hmm I don't use Apple Music or have a soundbar connected to my computer, I use a Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless but on my gamer it wasn't smooth at first running Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC.

Have you actually tried to uninstall the AC3 codec to see if things returns to normal?

Spoiler: W11 Audio Issues

My own audio cracking with Windows 11 IoT LTSC on my gamer computer using my Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless but I changed usb port on my motherboard to the "Lighting Gaming Ports" now my issue is gone.

I used LatencyMon there I discovered when I had a Nvidia RTX 4070 that Nvidia's audio driver caused me problems and now I use a RX 9070 problem even with AMD audio installed.

LatencyMon: https://resplendence.com/latencymon

 

[Nordomus]

Hmm I don't use Apple Music or have a soundbar connected to my computer, I use a Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless but on my gamer it wasn't smooth at first running Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC.

Have you actually tried to uninstall the AC3 codec to see if things returns to normal?

Spoiler: W11 Audio Issues

My own audio cracking with Windows 11 IoT LTSC on my gamer computer using my Steelseries Arctis Pro Wireless but I changed usb port on my motherboard to the "Lighting Gaming Ports" now my issue is gone.

I used LatencyMon there I discovered when I had a Nvidia RTX 4070 that Nvidia's audio driver caused me problems and now I use a RX 9070 problem even with AMD audio installed.

LatencyMon: https://resplendence.com/latencymon

Without codecs Atmos does not work so how would I test it? Anyway I've found solution, previously I've installed latest AnWave and installed codecs from there. Now I have installed standalone AnWave Dolby Atmos module and when I installed them from it now it works as it should. So I'd recommend this one: https://github.com/SimonMacer/AnWave/releases/tag/AnWave-Split

 

[Shou Miko]

Without codecs Atmos does not work so how would I test it? Anyway I've found solution, previously I've installed latest AnWave and installed codecs from there. Now I have installed standalone AnWave Dolby Atmos module and when I installed them from it now it works as it should. So I'd recommend this one: https://github.com/SimonMacer/AnWave/releases/tag/AnWave-Split

Hmm, well can you test with another application other than Apple Music?

I used AnWave because I was missing ac3 (dolby audio) playing through Plex Media Player so after some research and found this to fix my problem and hope it would help others.

 

[Nordomus]

Yes I could've but with no codecs installed no application playing music would work with Dolby Atmos. Anyway there is working solution and I'm happy about it, I'm sure more people will come here but it's not yet so widespread because you actually have to clean install W11 24H2 for it to be the case. I was talking with Apple yesterday and they had no idea about the codec problem. It's especially funny since Apple release Dolby Atmos support just 1 or 2 months ago and at the same time Microsoft is taking that away

 

[Vayra86]

The one/first thing Windows needs, is :
Microsoft Defender Uninstaller
Thanks for linking to AnWave (DefControl works but...)

IDK what a codec does, i never understand what's all that stuff, there is a computer, i plug the 3.5 jack or others like hdmi/spdif........... then if sound outputs i call it a working sound !

All I know is google K-lite codec pack if you miss anything and click install, never look back. Tends to come with VLC media player. Beyond that I've never needed nor worried about anything Microsoft does wherever in audio/video formats. All you really wanted since forever was just to avoid windows media player, right?

Its comforting to see nothing changes over the years lol

 

[Nordomus]

Unfortunately as far as I know codec packs will not work with apps like Apple Music though, only built in system codecs.

 

[mobiuus]

ok github states for

※How to uninstall Windows Update Service Extended service?​

Open Windows Key-Point, in the【Configure Windows Update for Business】tab > Settings. Click the【Uninstall】button of【Uninstall Windows Update Service Extended (wuauservx.exe)】item.

i'm on win10 and wanted to uninstall it, but just cant figure where to find this?

 

[Shou Miko]

ok github states for

※How to uninstall Windows Update Service Extended service?​

Open Windows Key-Point, in the【Configure Windows Update for Business】tab > Settings. Click the【Uninstall】button of【Uninstall Windows Update Service Extended (wuauservx.exe)】item.

i'm on win10 and wanted to uninstall it, but just cant figure where to find this?

Maybe this can help?

【AnWave】Windows Key-Point - Windows Settings Options Manager · SimonMacer AnWave · Discussion #11

【AnWave】Windows Key-Point - Windows Settings Options Manager In the AnWave, 【Tools】>【Windows Key-Point】 【Configure Windows Update for Business】 https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/...

github.com

I search a bit and found it, I didn't use the Update Service Extended.

 

[mobiuus]

this program installed this service as a requisite, so i want to remove this service won't use this program...

 

[Shou Miko]

this program installed this service as a requisite, so i want to remove this service won't use this program...

Not 100% sure on that, I will have to check my own install when I get home because I didn't notice so it might be optional.

 

[lexluthermiester]

this program installed this service as a requisite, so i want to remove this service won't use this program...

This is easy. First open the management console and go to the Services section. Find the service in question. If it's running open the properties screen and stop the service.
Next, open an Admin Command prompt and type the following:

sc delete "sevicename"

Then press enter. The service will be permanently removed from the system.

Extremely important Asterisk!
Keep in mind following this procedure will remove the update functionality from that system in an non-reversable way.
That system will never update again and even manual update files will fail to install.
So if you do this, keep that system offline and just know that you will need to reinstall windows to restore update functionality.

That said, if you intend to keep that system offline and don't care about the internet for it, then you're golden.

If you do care about updates in future, there is a better way to shut off the update functionality but in a way that can be easily reversed.

EDIT:
If you're talking about an update service that is not a Windows system function and was installed with a program, then Windows Update will be fine.
Your comments above weren't perfectly clear on that point.

 

[mobiuus]

it was in a different tab, -anwave tab not 【Configure Windows Update for Business】tab

 

[Shou Miko]

I just installed the Microsoft Dolby Digital Atmos Pack v10.x on my work computer no extra services or anything under services.

Link: https://github.com/SimonMacer/AnWave/releases/tag/AnWave-Split

So maybe it's time to just download the "Microsoft.Dolby.Digital.Atmos.Pack-v10.0.22621.5039-20250313.rar" package and use it instead of the full tool.

 

[Wasteland]

Sure it is. Setup up your network with proper shares and run an AC3 compatible media player locally to the machine doing the playback. There are no media players that I know of that can not play files over a network. It's really very easy, you just have to setup your network properly.

Yeah. Other options include:

1.) pay the Plex subscription fee to get access to transcoding, OR

2.) Use Jellyfin instead of Plex. It's fantastic. Free transcoding plus a desktop app that plays more or less all codecs natively, as far as i can tell.

Been a few years since I migrated from Plex to Jellyfin, but my memory of it is that it's pretty easy.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Yeah. Other options include:

1.) pay the Plex subscription fee to get access to transcoding, OR

2.) Use Jellyfin instead of Plex. It's fantastic. Free transcoding plus a desktop app that plays more or less all codecs natively, as far as i can tell.

Been a few years since I migrated from Plex to Jellyfin, but my memory of it is that it's pretty easy.

I prefer my way. It's easier and does not require any extra software. Network shares and a player. That's it.

 

[Wasteland]

I prefer my way. It's easier and does not require any extra software. Network shares and a player. That's it.

Your way is simpler to set up, but the poster clearly wants to use his media server's metadata scheme.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Your way is simpler to set up, but the poster clearly wants to use his media server's metadata scheme.

I didn't see the OP say that, however media players can read metadata very easily over network shares.