Windows

The Windows port of VLC usually starts up with the WxWindows interface which is used in the Linux one as well. The user can decide to use the Skins interface instead to be able to modify the interface according to his or her mood.

Keyboard shortcuts in the Windows (directx) video output

Note: these shortcuts are only default settings and can be customized (along with many others). To tweak hotkeys settings, go to Settings->Preferences->Hot keys

• Left/Right/Up/Down/Enter: DVD menus navigation keys
• Page Up/Page Down: seek (10 secs)
• Home/End: Beginning/End of file
• Space: Pause/Play
• a/A/z/Z: Volume Control
• f/F: fullscreen
• q/Q: quit vlc
• Esc: exit fullscreen/Stop input

How to associate media files to VLC

VLC hasn't got a module to associate files so that if you click on a file VLC opens - the developers are working on this, and one should be available in the next full release. But you can do it yourself by following these instructions:

• Rerun the installer

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OR

Warning: do this association only if you really know what you are doing!

• Open a text editor like Notepad.

• Copy this text:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ASF]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ASX]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.AVI]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DIVX]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPEG]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.MPG]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.VOB]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.WMV]
@="VlcFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VlcFile]
@="VLC File"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VlcFile\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Program Files\\VideoLAN\\VLC\\vlc.exe,0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VlcFile\shell\Open]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VlcFile\shell\Open\command]
@="C:\\Program Files\\VideoLAN\\VLC\\vlc.exe \"%L\""

• Modify the strings C:\\Program Files\\VideoLAN\\VLC\\vlc.exe to match your VLC installation.

• Save as vlc.reg.

• Execute vlc.reg (add it to your registry).

• Enjoy VLC :)

Note: This associate asf, asx, avi, divx, mpeg, mpg, vob and wmv files. If you get the idea, you can associate any file you want.

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OR

You can also right-click the file you want to open with VLC, and then click Properties.

On the General tab, click Change.

Click the name of the program (VLC) which you want to be used to open the file.

This change affects all files that have the same file name extension as the file you selected. For example, if you change the program that opens a .jpg file, all .jpg files will be opened with this program.

You can also change the program that opens a file by right-clicking the file, clicking Open With, and then clicking the program name.

If VLC is not displayed, click Browse to locate it on your hard drive.

Alternatively, you can just associate media files on install.

Related article

• Common Problems
• VLC command-line help
• VLCSout how to create a DVD

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The VLC appplication can be run in a server or client environment. For complicated video and audio streaming on a LAN, one should consider dedicating a machine to act as the VLC server.