If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of having VLC Media Player automatically launch for every media file on your computer, you’re not alone. While VLC is a versatile and popular player, it may not be everyone’s preference for handling all media formats. Luckily, removing VLC as your default player is a straightforward process that can be easily accomplished with a few simple steps. In this article, we will guide you through the process of removing VLC as your default media player, allowing you to choose an alternative that better suits your needs.
Step 1: Accessing The Default Apps Settings In Your Operating System
To begin the process of removing VLC as your default player, you will need to access the Default Apps settings on your operating system. The exact location of this setting may vary depending on the operating system you are using.
For Windows users, start by opening the Start menu and clicking on the “Settings” icon. In the Settings menu, look for the “Apps” option and click on it. From there, select the “Default apps” tab.
Mac users can access the Default Apps settings by clicking on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “System Preferences” and then click on “General”. In the General settings, you will find the “Default web browser” option.
Linux users typically have different configurations depending on the distribution being used. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with your specific distribution and locate the equivalent of the Default Apps settings.
By accessing the Default Apps settings, you will be able to proceed to the next step of locating the “Video Player” or “Default Programs” section.
Step 2: Locating The “Video Player” Or “Default Programs” Section
After accessing the Default Apps settings in your operating system, the next step is to locate the “Video Player” or “Default Programs” section. The exact name of this section may vary depending on your operating system.
In Windows, you can find this section by clicking on the “Start” menu and selecting “Settings.” From there, click on “Apps” and then choose “Default Apps” from the left-hand side menu. Look for the option that says “Video Player” or something similar.
On macOS, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.” From there, click on “General” and look for the option that says “Default web browser.”
In Linux, the steps to locate this section may differ depending on the distribution and desktop environment you are using. Generally, you can find it within the “Settings” or “Preferences” menu, often under “System” or “Personalization.”
Once you have located the “Video Player” or “Default Programs” section, you are ready to proceed with the next steps of removing VLC as the default player.
Step 3: Identifying VLC As The Current Default Player
VLC Media Player is a popular choice for playing various multimedia formats due to its versatility and cross-platform compatibility. However, there may be instances when you want to switch to a different media player and remove VLC as the default option. To do so, you first need to confirm that VLC is indeed the current default player on your operating system.
On both Windows and macOS, identifying the default media player is a straightforward process. In Windows, navigate to the “Default Apps” settings, while on macOS, access the “Default Programs” section. Once you have reached the appropriate settings page, look for the “Video Player” or “Default Player” category.
In this subheading, we focus on the essential task of identifying VLC as the current default player. This step is crucial because it enables you to proceed with the subsequent steps of removing VLC and selecting an alternative player. Knowing the current default player ensures that you make changes to the correct settings and streamline the process of switching to your preferred media player.
Step 4: Removing VLC As The Default Player In Windows
In this step, we will guide you through the process of removing VLC as the default player on a Windows operating system. Follow these steps to complete the task:
1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Windows icon located in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Type “Default Apps” in the search bar and click on the “Default Apps” option from the search results.
3. A new window will open with various options. Scroll down and locate the “Video Player” section.
4. Under the “Video Player” section, you will see VLC listed as the current default player. Click on it.
5. A pop-up menu will appear displaying a list of available video players on your system. Select the desired player that you want to set as the default.
6. After selecting the new default player, close the window.
7. To verify the changes, open any video file, and it should now open with the newly set default player instead of VLC.
By following these steps, you can easily remove VLC as the default player in Windows and set an alternative player of your choice.
Step 5: Changing The Default Player On MacOS
If you’re using a macOS operating system and want to remove VLC as your default player, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Apple menu at the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
2. In the System Preferences window, locate and click on “General.”
3. Look for the “Default web browser” option and click on the dropdown menu beside it.
4. A list of available web browsers will appear. Scroll through the options and choose the new player you want to set as the default.
5. Close the System Preferences window and your changes will be saved automatically.
By following these steps, you have successfully changed the default player on your macOS. Now, whenever you open a video file, it will be played by the player you selected.
Step 6: Resetting Default Player Settings On Linux
If you are using a Linux operating system and want to remove VLC as the default player, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Open the system settings menu: Depending on the Linux distribution you are using, this can be accessed through the main menu or the system tray.
2. Look for the “Default Applications” or “Preferred Applications” option: It may be located under the “System” or “Hardware” category.
3. Click on the “Multimedia” or “Video” tab: This is where you will find the options related to the default media player.
4. Locate the default media player dropdown menu: In some distributions, this may be labeled as “Video Player” or “Default Programs.”
5. Select a new default player: From the dropdown menu, choose your preferred media player that you want to set as the new default.
6. Save and apply the changes: Click on the “Apply” or “OK” button to save the new settings.
By following these steps, you will successfully reset the default player settings on Linux, removing VLC as your default media player. Make sure to verify the changes by opening a video file to ensure it now opens with the newly selected media player.
Step 7: Verifying The Removal Of VLC As The Default Player And Selecting A New One
After completing the previous steps to remove VLC as your default player, it is important to verify that the changes were successful. To do this, follow these simple instructions:
1. Open a video file on your computer.
2. Right-click on the file and select “Open with” from the context menu.
3. In the list of suggested programs, locate VLC and ensure that it is no longer marked as the default player.
4. If VLC is still listed as the default player, repeat the previous steps to ensure that you followed them correctly.
5. To select a new default player, click on the program you want to use from the list of suggested programs. If the desired program is not on the list, click on “Choose another app” and select it from the file explorer window.
6. Once you have chosen a new default player, make sure to check the box that says “Always use this app to open .[file extension] files” to set it as the default for all files of that type.
7. Click “OK” or “Apply” to save the changes.
By verifying the removal of VLC as the default player and selecting a new one, you can ensure a smooth transition to your preferred video player.
FAQs
1. How do I remove VLC as my default media player on Windows?
To remove VLC as your default media player on Windows, follow these steps:
1. Right-click on any media file and select “Open with” from the context menu.
2. Click on “Choose another app” and a list of available media players will appear.
3. Select the media player you want to set as default (not VLC) and make sure the box “Always use this app to open .(file extension)” is checked.
4. Click “OK” to save the changes, and now the selected media player will be your default player instead of VLC.
2. Can I remove VLC as my default player on macOS?
Yes, you can remove VLC as your default media player on macOS by following these steps:
1. Locate any media file on your Mac and right-click on it.
2. From the context menu, click on “Get Info” or press the “Command + I” shortcut.
3. In the “Open with” section, click on the drop-down menu and select the media player you want as the default (not VLC).
4. Click on the “Change All” button below the drop-down menu to apply the changes to all files of the same type.
Now, your selected media player will be the default for opening that specific file type, replacing VLC.
3. How do I remove VLC as my default player on Linux?
To remove VLC as the default media player on Linux, you can try the following steps:
1. Open the terminal and run the command: `xdg-mime default [mediaplayer.desktop] [mime-type]`, replacing “[mediaplayer.desktop]” with the desktop file of your desired media player and “[mime-type]” with the corresponding MIME type of the media files.
2. If you are unsure about the desktop file name and MIME type, you can list them using the command: `grep ‘Name|Exec’ /usr/share/applications/* | less`.
3. Locate the entry related to VLC in the output and take note of its desktop file name and MIME type.
4. After finding the desktop file and MIME type of your desired media player, run the xdg-mime command mentioned earlier to set it as the default player, replacing the [mediaplayer.desktop] and [mime-type] placeholders.
Now, the selected media player should become the default option for playing media files instead of VLC.
4. Can I remove VLC as my default player on mobile devices?
The procedure for removing VLC as the default player on mobile devices may vary depending on the operating system. Here’s a general guide:
1. Open the “Settings” app on your mobile device.
2. Look for the “Apps” or “Applications” section in the settings menu.
3. Find and tap on “VLC” in the list of installed apps.
4. Inside the VLC app settings, there should be an option similar to “Clear defaults” or “Set as default.” Tap on it.
5. You will be presented with a list of compatible media players installed on your device. Choose the media player you want as the default, effectively removing VLC from that role.
Please note that the exact location of these settings may vary depending on the mobile device and operating system version you are using.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, this step-by-step guide provides a comprehensive and easy-to-follow solution for removing VLC as the default media player. By following the outlined steps, users can regain control over their preferred media player and ensure that their files open in the desired application. With these instructions, the process of removing VLC as the default player becomes hassle-free and accessible for all.