The system default applications that open media files are pre-installed in all operating systems. Windows uses Movies & TV, and Mac uses QuickTime Player. However, if you predominantly use VLC for playing media files, you should consider setting it as your default media player.
Common Media File Types
How to Set VLC as the Default Application for Opening Media Files in Windows?
Windows offers many ways to set any application as the default for opening specific files. You can choose any method below to do so for the VLC media player. Here are some of the common media file formats, for which you would want VLC to be set as default player.
MP4WMVAVIDIVXMP3AACWMAWAV
Through Settings
You can configure various preferences from settings, including selecting VLC as the default application for opening media files. Here’s how you can do so:
Through ‘Open With’ Option
Another way to set this media player as your default is by using the Open With option from the media file itself. Follow the steps below to perform this method:
Through File Properties
This method is quite similar to the one above, but it changes the default from the file properties instead. Like the method above, this will only change the default for files with the same type. Here’s how to do it:
How to Set VLC as the Default Application for Opening Media Files on Mac?
Mac also has some simple ways of setting apps as default for opening certain files. You can choose from any of the methods below to set this media player as the default player for your media content on a Mac computer:
Through ‘Always Open With’ Option
Like Windows, Mac also has an Open With option, which you can use to set your default applications. Follow the steps below to do so for media files:
Through ‘Get Info’ Option
This method is somewhat similar to the method above, but it is a tad bit longer. You will have to change the default from the Get Info menu instead of the primary options menu.
How to Always Open Media Files Using VLC Media Player in Android?
You can change your default applications in Android from settings. However, the newer android version doesn’t offer any option for changing default applications for media files. So, you will need to do so from the File manager.
