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

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I been having issues with my Plex Media Player lately where audio in EAC3 codec wasn't giving out any sound and it looks like Microsoft has Officially dropped the support from 24H2.
A note on AC-3 (“Dolby Digital”)

AC-3 is an audio codec that supports multi-channel (“surround sound”) audio. It's also known as Dolby Digital.

On versions of Windows prior to Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is included.

Beginning with Windows 11, version 24H2, the AC-3 codec is no longer included with Windows. However, many device manufacturers will pre-install an AC-3 codec. Also, if you upgrade to Windows 11, version 24H2 from an earlier version of Windows, the AC-3 codec will be retained. In these cases, you will still be able to play files encoded with the AC-3 audio codec.
MS Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...a-player-d5c2cdcd-83a2-4805-abb0-c6888138e456
WindowsLastest.com: https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/...ows-11-24h2-ditches-ac-3-codec-dolby-digital/

I use Windows 11 24H2 on my laptop because I installed the Windows 11 IoT LTSC Enterprice and it works flawless with codec pack KCP Black that I use but not in Plex Media Player so I searched around and it's easy and possible to get the support back by downloading AnWave by SimonMacer from GitHub.

I found a post on elevenforum.com by uncyler825 about AnWave and it's really easy.
1. Download AnWave from GitHub: https://github.com/SimonMacer/AnWave
2. Extract the latest version - https://github.com/SimonMacer/AnWave/releases/tag/AnWave
3. Run AnWave --> Tools --> Windows Key-Point or click in the bottom left corner on the text "Windows Key-Point"
1727846689407.png

4. Click the tab "Personalize" and scroll all the way to the buttom to find "Microsoft Dolby Digital (AC-3 Codec)
1727846791271.png

5. Now install both the Decoder and Encoder MFT or just choose the one you need.
6. Now enjoy AC-3/EAC3 in Plex or WMP again.

*A note AnWave changed design so I updated the screenshots.

I hope someone else also finds this helpful now that Micrososft has Officially started rolling out 24H2.
24H2 rolling out Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...h2-now-rolling-out-here-are-the-new-features/
 
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If anyone upgrades from 23H2 or older they won't be missing the ac-3 MFT codecs it's only on clean installation, I forgot to mention that...
 
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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 !
 
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Cuz ms wants everyone on overhyped Dolby atmos...
 
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Cuz ms wants everyone on overhyped Dolby atmos...
Probably more like MS wants to save on licensing fees. If that wasn't the case they'd put the appropriate codec to download in the MS Store.
 
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Probably more like MS wants to save on licensing fees. If that wasn't the case they'd put the appropriate codec to download in the MS Store.

From my understanding it's only the Atmos license you need to purchase unless a oem has certified it like Lenovo does and put it in to their vantage software.

Atmos is like 12years old right now was released in 2012 and Dolby Digital is like 33 years old was released in 1991.

But it shouldn't be a license issue but since Microsoft doesn't state the reason it's makes it even more annoying.

That's why I created this thread and I hope it helps the people that have the decoding problem like I had myself.
 

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To top it off they are forcing recall on users, ms can go fuck themselves
 
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Cuz ms wants everyone on overhyped Dolby atmos...

Atmos support relies on the hardware itself being licensed. Atmos for Headphones is paid for and not included, besides the output is PCM. So yeah
 
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