View source for Documentation:Quick Start Guide

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Read on for a quick overview of VLC's features and capabilities. 

=Starting VLC=
===Windows===
* In Windows XP: Click '''Start''' -> '''Programs''' -> '''VideoLAN''' -> '''VLC media player'''.
* In Windows 7: Click '''Start''' -> '''All Programs''' -> '''VideoLAN''' -> '''VLC media player'''.

VLC is shown on the screen and a small icon {{VLC icon}} is shown in the system tray.

===macOS===
Start VLC from the applications menu or the system dock.

VLC is shown on the screen and a small icon {{VLC icon}} is shown in the dock.

===Linux===
Start VLC from the command line with '''vlc''' or start it from your desktop environment's application launcher.

=Interface=
===The main interface===
{|
|[[File:Interface-2.1.0rc1-Windows XP-with_legend.png|500px]]
|[[File:Interface-2.1.0rc2-MacOS-with_legend.png|500px]]
|-
|align="center"|''' VLC media player on [[Windows]] and [[Linux]]'''
|align="center"|'''VLC media player on [[macOS]]'''
|-
|colspan="2"|
{|style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|
1 : Menu Bar<br>
2 : Elapsed Time<br>
3 : Seek Bar<br>
4 : Total/Remaining Time<br>
5 : Play/Pause<br>
6 : Previous<br>
7 : Stop<br>
|&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
|
8 : Next<br>
9 : Toggle Fullscreen<br>
10 : Extended Settings<br>
11 : Show Playlist<br>
12 : Loop<br>
13 : Random<br>
14 : Volume Control<br>
|}
|}

===More interface informations===
Go to [[Documentation:Interface]]

=Play a media=

===Play a single media file===
Find a media file you want to play with your favourite File Explorer (Windows Explorer, Finder, Konqueror...) and double-click on it.

You can also drag and drop the file onto VLC.

===Play a whole media folder===
Start VLC,  open the ''Media'' menu, and select the ''Open Folder...'' menu item. An ''Open Folder'' dialog box will appear. Select the folder you want to open and select ''Open''.

===Play a CD/DVD/VCD===
Insert your disk and your OS should ask you what you want to do. Select ''Play with VLC'' and select the OK button.

===More open options===
Go to [[Documentation:Open Media]]

<br>

=Preferences=

=== Where are the VLC preferences? ===
{|
|width="300"|To open the ''Preferences'' panel, open the Tools menu , and select the ''Preferences'' menu item.
|[[File:ToolsPreferences-Windows 8.png|550x550px]]
|-
|height="10"|
|-
|Here is the Simple Preferences panel where you can modify the essential settings of VLC.
|[[File:Preferences-Windows 8.png|550x550px]]
|}

=== How to reset the VLC preferences? ===
Go to [[VSG:ResetPrefs]]

=Playlist view=

===Overview===
This view allows you to easily browse different sources of media. To access the Playlist View, click on the ''Playlist'' button in the main interface.

{|
|width="300"|
{|valign="top"|
|valign="top"|1:||The current Playlist you are listening and your Media Library<br><br>
|-
|valign="top"|2:||The OS default media folders<br><br>
|-
|valign="top"|3:||Your local optic drive (CD, DVD...)<br><br>
|-
|valign="top"|4:||Your local network sources<br><br>
|-
|valign="top"|5:||Internet sources (Podcasts, Shoutcast radios...)<br><br>
|-
|valign="top"|6:||The media listing you are listening or browsing<br><br>
|-
|}
|
[[File:PlaylistView-Windows 8.png|550px]]
|}

===More Playlist options===
Go to [[Documentation:Playlist]]


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