# VLC media player Application: VideoLAN Also called vlc, videolan VideoLAN, System A media player from VideoLAN. The process is usually a single vlc.exe, not a Chromium process cloud. ## What you need to know VLC plays files in one process. You do not need a separate codec pack beside it. VideoLAN VLC decodes most common files without extra codec exes. Bundle installers that add toolbars are the usual problem, not vlc.exe in Program Files. - **What is it?**: A media player **Need a codec pack?**: Usually no **Many processes?**: Usually one Feex says If a site offers VLC plus a "codec pack", I would take VLC from videolan.org and skip the pack. The player already decodes. ## What is VLC media player? VLC media player is VideoLAN's open-source player. The Windows image is vlc.exe under Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC. ## If you have never used it If a video file will not play in Films & TV, VLC is the usual free player that opens it. Get it from videolan.org/vlc. You do not need a separate codec pack. After install, open the file or use Open with. It is not a streaming subscription and not Windows Media Player. ## What is it used for? **Local video and audio** MKV, MP4, MP3, and odd containers without extra codec exes. **Streams** Network streams and some capture devices. This is still vlc.exe, usually one process. **Simple conversion** Convert / Save in the Media menu. It is not HandBrake, but it covers a quick remux. ## Who is it for? - People who want one player without a codec pack - Users who open odd containers - Anyone who should avoid bundled "free VLC" ads ## Current status Actively developed by VideoLAN. This article is the Windows desktop player. ## How old is it? VideoLAN started at École Centrale Paris. VLC 1.0 is 2009, and earlier 0.x builds go back to 2001. It is an old, still-current player. The cone icon is the tell. A "VLC plus codec pack" bundle from 2008-era download portals is the junk to avoid. ## Versions Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here. Stable Windows ## System requirements Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need. ### Minimum | Operating system | Current Windows 10 or Windows 11, per VideoLAN Windows builds | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | GPU | Optional hardware decode. Software decode still works | ## Resource profile - **CPU demand**: Software decode of heavy files **GPU demand**: When acceleration is on ## Installed processes These executables belong to this product when it is installed. | vlc.exe | Usually the only VLC process | | ------- | ---------------------------- | ## Startup components VLC should not start with Windows unless you added a shortcut. ## File locations | Typical install | C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\\ | | --------------- | ------------------------------- | ## File formats MKV, MP4, MP3, many others listed by VideoLAN ## Common problems ### Broken hardware decode Toggle accelerated decoding in VLC preferences before you reinstall a GPU driver. ### Bundled extras Official VLC does not need a third-party codec exe. ## Getting unstuck ### Download only from videolan.org Search ads still wrap VLC in toolbars. The real page is videolan.org/vlc. ### Toggle accelerated video output if a file is black or green Tools > Preferences > Input / Codecs. Try another output before you reinstall a GPU driver. ### Reset preferences if the UI vanished VideoLAN documents a preferences reset. That is faster than a Windows reinstall. ## Alternatives The Films & TV app, mpv, and browser playback overlap. Pick them for the UI you want, not a filename score. ## Official help and downloads Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel. | Download | [www.videolan.org/vlc/ ](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/)Official Windows build | | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Documentation | [wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Windows/ ](https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Windows/)Windows-specific notes | | Help forums | [forum.videolan.org/ ](https://forum.videolan.org/)Community help VideoLAN hosts | | Security | [www.videolan.org/security/ ](https://www.videolan.org/security/)Advisories. Not a place to download codecs | ## Related hardware A current GPU driver helps 4K decode. An old iGPU can still play 1080p in software. ## Technical details Technical details Per-version file hashes and volume-license paths are not verified in this preview. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [vlc.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/vlc.exe)[Spotify: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/spotify)[dwm.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/dwm.exe) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [VideoLAN VLC ](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/)· Official player - [VLC Windows docs ](https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Windows/)· Windows notes - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: VideoLAN **Category**: Media player **Process**: [vlc.exe](https://feex.it/wiki/process/vlc.exe) **First released**: 2001 **Official site**: [videolan.org/vlc](https://www.videolan.org/vlc/) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/vlc-media-player/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)