A codec is a computer program that can encode or decode a digital data stream or signal. Codecs are used in a wide variety of applications, including video conferencing, audio and video streaming, and data compression. To check what codecs are installed on your Vista computer, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Start menu and select Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, click on Programs and Features.
3. In the Programs and Features window, click on the Installed Updates link in the left-hand pane.
4. In the Installed Updates window, scroll down the list of updates and look for any updates that are related to codecs. The updates will be listed in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top.
5. If you find any updates that are related to codecs, click on the update to select it. The details of the update will be displayed in the right-hand pane.
6. In the details pane, look for the “Codec” field. This field will list the codecs that are included in the update.