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TannerOakridge's avatar
TannerOakridge
Iron Contributor
Jan 29, 2026

Best free mkv to mp4 converter that works on windows 11?

Before posing here, I tried the built-in Windows Media Player but it does not have an option for converting .mkv to .mp4. I tried to get an answer from search engine but most of them are online mkv to mp3 conversion tools. The mkv video is over 1GB and it takes a lot of time for uploading and downloading. What is the best free mkv to mp4 converter available on windows 11?

I am new to Windows 11 OS and really need some help on this.

8 Replies

  • Wamkkoimjoin's avatar
    Wamkkoimjoin
    Iron Contributor

    Go and check the top rated mkv to mp4 converter from microsoft store. They are safe and good!

  • About the mkv to mp4 converter. Combining MediaInfo with MP4Box can be an effective "One-Two Punch" solution. Here's how this approach works and why it can be useful:

    Step 1: Use MediaInfo to Analyze Files

    • MediaInfo is a free tool that provides detailed information about your video files, including codecs, streams, and metadata.
    • Before converting, you can use MediaInfo to verify the current codecs and ensure compatibility with MP4Box.

    Step 2: Use MP4Box is as  MP4Box to MP4 Converter

    • MP4Box is a powerful, open-source tool primarily used for packaging and manipulating MP4 files.
    • While MP4Box doesn't directly convert mkv to mp4, it can extract streams and remux them into an MP4 container efficiently.
    • For mkv to mp4 conversion, you can:
      Extract audio/video streams from the mkv file.
      Repack or remux them into an mp4 container without re-encoding, which is fast and preserves quality.

     

    Example Workflow:
    1. Use MediaInfo to check the codecs:
        Ensure the video and audio streams are compatible with MP4 (e.g., H.264 video, AAC or MP3 audio).
    2.If compatible, proceed with MP4Box:

    MP4Box -add yourvideo.mkv#trackID=1 -add yourvideo.mkv#trackID=2 -new output.mp4

    3.If streams are incompatible, you might need to re-encode via FFm.peg before remuxing with MP4Box.

  • Quincos's avatar
    Quincos
    Iron Contributor

    There's a handy trick involving the Windows 11 Photos App, specifically the Video Editor feature. This method acts as a simple, free MKV to MP4 converter without needing third-party software. Here’s how you can leverage the Windows 11 Photos App to convert MKV files to MP4, which can help in speeding up video processing tasks or freeing up space:

    1.Open the Photos App:
       Click on the Start menu, type Photos, and open the Photos app.

    2.Create a New Video Project:
       In the Photos app, click on the Video Editor tab or select New Video Project.

    3.Add Your MKV Video:
       Click New Video Project and give it a name.
       Then, click Add to import your MKV video file.

    4.Drag the MKV Video to the Timeline:
       Once imported, drag the MKV video into the project timeline.

    5.Export the Video as MP4:
       When you're ready, click on Finish Video.
       In the export options, choose the desired video quality.
       Click Export and save the video as an MP4 file.

    Note: This process essentially re-encodes the MKV video into MP4 format. While it's not a dedicated MKV to MP4 converter, it’s a free, built-in method to perform MKV to MP4 conversion on Windows 11.

  • Xollom's avatar
    Xollom
    Iron Contributor

    Avidemux is a lightweight, efficient, free and open-source tool that excels at convert mkv to mp4 it enables lossless pure container format conversion with no re-encoding, ultra-fast processing and minimal operations, making it an ideal choice for simple format switching needs.

    How to Convert MKV to MP4

    1. Open your target MKV file in Avidemux
    2. Set Output Format to MP4 Muxer
    3. Select Copy for both Video and Audio tracks
    4. Click File → Save to start conversion

    Conversion time for 1GB MKV file: only 10-20 seconds

    Advantages

    • Ultra-lightweight design, installation package under 15MB, minimal system resource consumption, smooth conversion without lag
    • Directly copies audio and video tracks, 100% preserves original picture and sound quality, lossless format conversion
    • Simple operation: conversion completed in just a few steps, making it beginner-friendly

    Disadvantages

    • Only supports pure container format switching; conversion fails if MKV's internal encoding is incompatible with MP4
    • Limited format compatibility with no additional encoding adjustment options; does not support complex transcoding requirements
    • Functionality remains basic, lacking advanced features such as batch conversion or resolution adjustment

    Avidemux excels at performing pure container format conversions such as converting MKV to MP4 with remarkable efficiency, thanks to its core strengths of no re-encoding, lightning-fast processing, and lossless image quality. This lightweight and user-friendly software preserves the original picture quality throughout the conversion process, making it ideal for straightforward format switching requirements. However, it currently lacks support for complex transcoding and batch conversion operations.

  • Julioil's avatar
    Julioil
    Iron Contributor

    You might consider using Telegram's Auto-Conversion feature. Although Telegram is primarily a messaging app, it offers an auto-conversion capability that can be used to convert video files, including mkv to mp4 format.

    Telegram's Auto-Conversion as a free mkv to mp4 converter:
    This feature allows users to send mkv files through Telegram, and with the appropriate bot or settings, it can automatically convert these files into mp4 format. This provides a quick and free method to perform mkv to mp4 conversion without installing dedicated software on your Windows PC.

    How it works:  
    1). Send your mkv video to a Telegram bot configured for video conversion.
    2). The bot processes the file and automatically converts it into mp4 format.
    3). Once completed, you can download the converted mp4 file directly from Telegram.

    Note: Free and accessible on any device with Telegram installed. No need to install additional software or tools. Fast and convenient for small to medium-sized videos. Requires finding a reliable Telegram bot for mkv to mp4 conversion. Not suitable for bulk conversions or large files without proper bot support.

  • Sincerer's avatar
    Sincerer
    Iron Contributor

    Shotcut is a powerful, free, open-source video editing software that also functions well as a MKV to MP4 converter. While it's primarily designed for editing videos, it can easily export your MKV files in MP4 format, making it a good choice if you're looking for a free MKV to MP4 converter on Windows.

    Advantages:
    Completely free and open-source.
    Supports a wide range of video formats, including MKV and MP4.
    Allows you to customize video settings like resolution, codec, and quality.
    Suitable for converting large files without the need for online uploads.

    How to use Shotcut as a free MKV to MP4 converter:
    1. Download and install Shotcut.
    2. Open Shotcut and drag your MKV file into the project.
    3. Once loaded, go to Export (at the top right).
    4. In the export panel, select MP4 as the format.
    5. Choose your desired quality and settings.
    6. Click Export File to start the conversion process.

  • Shutter Encoder is a free, professional-grade, cross-platform multimedia conversion tool built on the powerful command line engine. It is designed for users who need maximum control, quality, and versatility when processing video, audio, and image files.

    Unlike many basic mkv to mp4 converters in windows 11, it offers a vast array of specialized functions tailored for advanced workflows, including high-quality codec encoding, professional broadcasting formats, and essential editing functions like color correction, loudness normalization, and hard-coded subtitling.

    How to convert mkv to mp4 free on windows 11/10

    1. Add File & Choose Function: Drag and drop your MKV file into the Shutter Encoder window. From the "Choose Function" list on the left, select "Rewrap".

    2. Set Output Format: In the panel that appears on the right, set the output extension to ".mp4".

    3. Optional Adjustments: Use the other tabs (like "Audio" or "Subtitles") to select specific tracks or make adjustments, though for a simple rewrap this often isn't necessary.

    4. Start Function: Click the "Start Function" button at the bottom. The software will quickly change the container, and your new MP4 file will be saved to the chosen output path.

    Cons:

    Steep Learning Curve: The extensive interface and professional jargon can be overwhelming for beginners seeking a simple, one-click solution.

    Not Ideal for Simple Compression: While it can compress, its workflow is more complex than dedicated compressors for casual users. The "Rewrap" function only changes the container; to compress, you must use a different function like "H.264" encoding, which requires more technical knowledge to configure.

  • BrooklynEdge's avatar
    BrooklynEdge
    Iron Contributor

    HandBrake is a free, open-source, and widely trusted video transcoder that excels at converting video files (like MKV) into the more universally compatible MP4 format, with a strong focus on compression and customization. While it can perform simple container changes, its core strength lies in re-encoding and optimizing video, making it ideal for reducing large file sizes, ensuring broad device playback, and applying fine-tuned adjustments to video quality, audio tracks, and subtitles through an accessible interface.

    Free MKV to MP4 Converter Guide

    Step 1: Launch HandBrake and open your MKV file using the "Open Source" button or drag-and-drop.

    Step 3: On the right, select a relevant preset (like "Fast 1080p" or "Apple TV 4K") from the built-in list. This automatically configures compatible settings for your target device or use case.

    Step 2: Navigate to the tabs to make changes—set your output format to MP4 in the Summary tab, choose video quality in the Video tab (using the constant quality slider is recommended), and select which audio and subtitle tracks to include.

    Step 4:  Click the "Start Encode" button at the top to start converting .mkv to .mp4. HandBrake will re-encode and save your new MP4 file to your chosen destination folder.

    HandBrake is a powerful, free tool best used when you need to actively transcode and compress an MKV for storage or compatibility reasons, rather than just changing its container. Its combination of user-friendly presets and deep advanced controls makes it the go-to choice for enthusiasts and professionals looking to standardize their video library efficiently.