Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026
Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Settings\Advanced settings\Multimedia User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Settings\Advanced settings\Multimedia Description
This policy setting specifies whether Internet Explorer plays media files that use alternative codecs and that require additional software. If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer plays these files, if the appropriate software is installed. If you disable this policy setting, Internet Explorer does not play these files. If you do not configure this policy setting, the user can change the "Enable alternative codecs in HTML5 media elements" setting on the Advanced tab in the Internet Options dialog box.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main Value name: EnableAlternativeCodec
Enabled: EnableAlternativeCodec = yes
Disabled: EnableAlternativeCodec = no
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"EnableAlternativeCodec"="yes"More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EnableAlternativeCodec' -Value 'yes' -Type StringIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'EnableAlternativeCodec' -Expected 'yes' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EnableAlternativeCodec' -Value 'yes' -Type StringSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'EnableAlternativeCodec' -Expected 'yes' -Kind String)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow Internet Explorer to play media files that use alternative codecs
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'EnableAlternativeCodec' -Value 'yes' -Type StringBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.