VLC media player

Download Details

Version

3.0.24 (latest)

File size

44.13 MB

License

Free

Security scan

VirusTotal: 68 of 68 engines say OK (0 flagged)

SHA-256 checksum Copy

d711e1e1fe52052748c39080c7dce63f6b7e4c315efedf1774a3f1957b782ff3

Developer

VideoLAN

Supported OS

Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 7

Installers

64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), ARM (Arm64), Portable, Offline

Downloads

11307

Rating

4.5 out of 5 · 104 reviews

File name(s)

vlc-3.0.24-win64.exe, vlc-3.0.24-win32.exe, vlc-3.0.24-winarm64.exe, vlc-3.0.24-win64.zip

Reviewed by Mohamed Zaki
Tested on Windows 11 and 10 · November 3, 2026 · How we review

Screenshots

VLC media player is a free, open-source player from the VideoLAN project. It plays almost any audio or video file without extra codec packs.

It also handles DVDs, audio CDs and network streams, and it can convert files and record your screen.

It is worth installing if you want one player that opens whatever you throw at it. The interface looks plain, but it rarely fails to play a file.

What is VLC media player?

VLC is a free media player made by VideoLAN, a non-profit project. It is open source, has no ads and has no in-app purchases.

It ships with its own codecs, so MP4, MKV, FLV, OGG and many less common formats play without a codec pack.

What VLC does well

Format support is the main reason people keep VLC installed. It also plays DVDs and audio CDs, and it opens network streams.

Playback controls go deeper than most people expect: subtitle timing, audio delay, playback speed, equalizer and video effects are all built in.

Tip: if subtitles drift out of sync, press G or H during playback to shift their timing in small steps.

Converting, recording and streaming

The Media menu includes Convert/Save for changing a file to another format. It also has Stream for sending media to another device on your network.

VLC can record your desktop too, through the Open Capture Device option.

Tip: if you only need a quick MP4 or MP3 copy of a file, Convert/Save is faster than installing a separate converter.

Customization

You can change playback settings, remap keyboard shortcuts and apply audio and video effects. Plugins and skins add more.

Tip: open Tools, then Preferences, and switch to All settings if you want the advanced options.

Lightweight and efficient

VLC does not need much memory or processing power. That makes it a sensible choice for older laptops and low-end PCs.

Tip: if 4K or high-bitrate video stutters, check the hardware decoding option under Input / Codecs in Preferences.

Where VLC annoys

The default interface looks dated next to newer players. There is also no polished media library with posters and metadata.

Some settings are buried in menus, and it can take a few minutes to find them the first time.

Is VLC media player safe to install?

The file on this page was checked with VirusTotal and came back clean.

VLC is developed by VideoLAN and has no bundled toolbars or add-on offers, and we review every app manually before listing it.

Who should skip it

Skip VLC if you want a library-style interface with cover art and automatic metadata, since VLC does not offer that.

You may also prefer another player if you want a modern, heavily styled interface out of the box.

How to Download & Install

Click the download button at the top of this page to get the VLC installer, an EXE file for Windows.

Follow the steps below, or use the matching screenshots to check each screen.

Step 1: Click the download button at the top of this page and pick the 64-bit installer, which suits most Windows PCs.

Step 2: Save the installer to a folder you can find again, such as Downloads.

Step 3: Double-click the installer, choose your language if asked, then click Next and accept the license agreement.

Step 4: On the components screen, leave the defaults unless you know you want to skip something.

Step 5: Click Install and wait a minute or two while the files are copied.

Step 6: Click Finish to close the setup and launch VLC.

To open a file, right-click it and choose Open with, then VLC media player.

Installer types

• 64-bit installer: the right pick for most Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs.
• 32-bit installer: for older 32-bit systems.
• ARM64 installer: for Windows devices with an ARM processor.
• Portable ZIP: runs from a folder or USB drive with no installation.

The standard installers contain everything they need, so they also work on a PC without an internet connection.

System requirements

• OS: Windows 11, Windows 10 or Windows 7.
• Processor: 64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86) or ARM64, depending on the installer you choose.
• Graphics: any basic GPU works, and a GPU with hardware decoding helps with 4K and HDR.

VLC is light on resources, so older PCs usually cope well with it.

How to update VLC

The installed version can check for updates from the Help menu, and it may also offer one when it starts.

The portable ZIP does not update itself. To update it, replace the folder with the latest portable build from this page.

Fixing common install problems

• SmartScreen warning: if Windows says it protected your PC, click More info, then Run anyway, as long as the file came from this page.
• Setup will not finish: close any open VLC window, then run the installer again, right-clicking it and choosing Run as administrator if needed.
• VLC is not the default player: open Settings, then Apps, then Default apps, and set VLC for the video and audio file types you use.

Pros & Cons

Best VLC media player Alternatives

• 
  PotPlayer

  Free media player with built-in codecs and deep controls.

• 
  Media Player Classic – BE

  Lightweight media player with built-in decoders, subtitle controls and low resource use.

• 
  PowerDVD

  Blu-ray and DVD player with HDR upscaling, surround sound and library tools.

Conclusion

4.5★★★★★out of 5 · 104 user ratings

VLC is a good default, but other players are worth comparing for specific needs.

The table below shows where each one fits, so you can pick by what you value most.

Final verdict

VLC is the easiest recommendation if you want one free player that opens nearly everything. It is plain, but it is dependable.

If you care about a modern look or a media library, try one of the alternatives above. For everything else, VLC covers it.

FAQ

Found a problem with this download? Report an outdated version, broken link, suspicious installer or incorrect information.

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