The VLC media player is one of the most used software for videos offline and has been for more than a decade. It is an open and free cross-platform multimedia player that plays most of the multimedia file types and streaming protocols and since it’s lightweight, it’s preferred by most users as it enables quick playback of the media files..
In this article, we will guide you through three different methods to set VLC as the default app on your Windows PC, including through Settings and for single or multiple file types.
Also read: VLC 101: How to add and sync subtitles in VLC?
Set VLC as default through default apps settings
Type Default apps in the search bar beside the windows menu button then open the default apps settings page.
Under the Video Player heading, click on the Choose a default if you have not selected any other app as your default app. If you have previously selected a default app for video player, then click on the app’s icon that you see.
All the apps that can support videos files will appear. Select VLC media player and it will be set as your default video player app.
Also read: VLC 101: How to cut a video and change language in VLC?
Set VLC as default for a single file type
Step 1: Right-click on the file you for which you want to set VLC as default and in the menu that appears hover over Open with option, and then select Choose another app from the bottom of the list.
Step 2: A box with the list of apps that support that file type will appear. Select VLC media player and then click on the checkbox beside Always use this app to open file extension. Then click on the Ok button at the bottom of the box.
Also read: VLC 101: How to rotate, flip and transpose a video in VLC media player?
Set VLC as default for multiple file types
Type Default apps in the search bar beside the windows menu button then open the default apps settings page and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Scroll down to the bottom of the default apps settings page and click on the Choose default apps by file type option.
Step 2: A list of associate file types with specific apps will appear. Select the VLC media player from the option beside the file type for which you want to set it as the default app.
Also read: How to change the language in FIFA 19?
Alternate method to set VLC as default for multiple file types
Open the default apps settings (as explained in the guides above) and follow the steps below.
Step 1: Scroll down to the bottom of the default apps settings page and click on the Set default by app option.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on VLC. Then click on the Manage button that appears.
Step 3: A list of file types will appear. Select the VLC media player from the option beside the file type for which you want to set it as the default app.
