Efficient Ways on How to Make VLC the Default Player
Devices come with built-in or default media players, but they don't always support all file types or offer the best features. In that line, VLC Media Player is a widespread choice because it's free and easy to use. It also supports almost every video and audio format, including MP4, MP3, AVI, and more, and works on different devices. If you use VLC often, setting it as your default player can save you time and make things easier. You won't have to choose VLC every time you manually play a file. In this guide, we'll show you how to make VLC the default player on Windows, Mac, and Android. The steps are simple and quick, so you'll be enjoying your favorite media files in no time.
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How to Make VLC Default Player on Windows 10
On Windows 10, you can easily set VLC as your default media player to enjoy a more versatile and seamless playback experience. By doing this, files associated with certain media formats will automatically open in VLC, saving you the hassle of manually selecting the player each time. This is especially useful for file types that the default Windows Media Player struggles to handle or doesn't support. Moreover, VLC's wide compatibility ensures you can play almost any video or audio format without installing additional codecs, like VLC playing AVI videos. Setting the VLC media player as your default media player is quick and can significantly improve your media playback experience on Windows 10. Here are the simple steps you can observe to set VLC as default player on Windows:
Method 1: Using the "Open With" Dialog Box
Step 1: Access the Video Files
On your Windows PC, locate the video file you want to open to play. To do this, go to the folder where the video files are stored. After that, right-click on the video file and choose "Open with."
Step 2. Set VLC Player as Default
In the "Open with" dialog box, scroll through the list of available options. Clicking on "Choose another app" at the bottom of the menu will open a new window where you can pick the VLC Media Player. Then, hit the "Always" option, setting VLC as the default player for this file type.
Method 2: Altering Default Apps in Settings
Step 1: Open Settings
The initial step is to access the Settings app on your Windows device. You can do this by hitting the "Start" or "Windows" button and searching for "Settings" or by typing settings into the search bar. You can also utilize the keyboard shortcut "Windows + I" to open the Settings app directly.
Step 2: Access Default Apps
Once you are on the Settings app, scroll down and click on the "Apps" option. After that, choose "Default apps" section from the left-hand menu. This will open the menu where you can set the default apps for various file types.
Step 3: Set VLC Media Player as Default
Within the "Default apps" section, scroll down until you find the "Films and TV" option. Then, you will see the different video file types—click on the current default viewer for each one and select "VLC Media Player" to make it the new default video player. This is how to make VLC default media player for each media file type.
"VLC supports various video and audio types."
VLC supports multiple widely used audio/video codecs
How to Make VLC Default on Mac
Although macOS has a default movie player called QuickTime, many users prefer using other video players like VLC. Some features like better codec support or the ability to play various video format that QuickTime doesn't support make VLC a more appealing choice. Additionally, VLC offers advanced functionality like the option to convert MOV to MP4 in VLC, making it a versatile tool for media Since VLC is not the default media player on macOS, you'll need to manually set the VLC player as default on your Mac. Here are the steps on how to make VLC as default player on Mac:
Step 1: Access the "Get Info" Window
First, access the video or audio file you want to open. Then, right-click the file, and a dialog box will appear on your Mac screen. After that, click "Get Info" to open the information window for that specific file.
Step 2: Change the Default App for the File
Next, within the "Get Info" window, locate the "Open with" section. A drop-down menu will appear for you to select an application. To set the VLC as the default media player for your Mac, select the "VLC" option from the list. Lastly, click the "Change All" button to apply the change to all files with the same extension.
How to Make VLC My Default Media Player on Android
Android phones have different media players installed, allowing you to play videos and music immediately. However, not all of these video players support different media files. This can be frustrating when you try to open a video or audio file, but it won't play. VLC Media Player is a great solution because it supports nearly all media file types, including rare formats that other players might not handle. By making VLC your default player on Android, you can ensure that all your videos and songs open smoothly without any errors or extra steps. Here is how to set VLC player as default on your Android devices:
Step 1: Access Other Settings
Go to your device's Settings and navigate to the "Apps" or "Applications" option. From here, click the "Manage Apps" option. Then, at the top right corner of your screen, click the 3-dot menu and select "Other Settings."
Step 2: Select VLC as Default
In the "Other Settings" menu, you should see an option that says "Default Apps." After that, click "Default Apps" and then find the "Play Video" option. Here, select VLC Media Player from the available options to set it as the default video player on your Android device.
Bonus Tips: Alternative Media Player
Suppose you are looking for an alternative media player for VLC that also supports seamless playback for all media files. You can consider AceThinker Player. This tool allows users to play a broad scope of video and audio file formats without any issues. These formats include MOV, AVI, MP4, MP3, and more. Additionally, it supports Blu-ray and DVD playback as well. So, whether you’re using 720p or 1080p media files, as long as VLC is not able to play them, AceThinker Media Player can be a viable alternative. Besides, its customizable audio settings also let you control the audio pitch, volume, and more. This feature is ideal for audiophiles who seek another level of audio experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
By default, VLC installs in the "Program Files" folder on Windows and the "Applications" folder on macOS. On Android and iOS, it installs directly as an app in your device’s app list for easy access.
Yes, you can set VLC as the default for all file types it supports. However, on some devices, you may need to do this manually for each file type, like .mp4, .mkv, or .mp3. This ensures VLC will open all your media files automatically.
To make VLC your default player, open your device's settings and look for "Default Apps" or "File Associations." From there, choose VLC as the default app for video and audio file types. This will ensure all compatible media files open in VLC automatically.
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