Well, looks like the free alternative is now closed.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hevc-video-extension/9n4wgh0z6vhq
The only option now is to get the $0.99 version if you want to keep it "legal".
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/hevc-video-extensions/9nmzlz57r3t7
If you downloaded the free version before, then you "own" it already and can just download it again.
You can still get it for free. Just installed myself. This workaround still works.
Copy/paste this link into the browser:
ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq
Or, open command prompt, and type/paste:
start ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9n4wgh0z6vhq
Click "Install".