Each category lists various options and actions that can be performed by selecting one or multiple of the checkboxes that are displaying on the screen. The Fixes category is the main troubleshooting category of the program. It can be used to do the following:

• Detect broken codecs
• Detect broken DirectShow filters
• Register base DirectShow filters (quartz.dll)
• Register base DirectShow filters (qdvd.dll, qcap.dll, qedit.dll)
• Fix broken sound (Midi, WaveOut)

The second category offers reporting options that can be used to generate a text file containing installed DirectShow filters, ACM and VFW codecs, DirectX Media Objects or system information.

The troubleshooting options do not end here however. A click on the next button will display options to enable or disable codecs that are installed on the computer system. This section will also display incorrectly installed filters on the system with options to disable them so that they do not cause problems during media playback.

The K-Lite Codec Tweak Tool is a sophisticated media troubleshooting tool for the Windows operating system. It is most useful for users who work with software that uses codecs for media playback and editing purposes. The portable software is compatible with all major versions of the Windows operating system including Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. It can be downloaded from the developer’s website. (via Rarst)

Update: Windows users who are fed up with codec and playback issues can alternatively move to a media player that uses binary codecs to play media files. These come with everything needed to play the majority of media files out of the box. Popular suggestions are VLC Media Player, UMplayer or my personal favorite SMplayer.