If you want to watch DVDs on Windows, you’ll need to use a third-party media player since Windows Media Player lost DVD playback capability after Windows 7. This guide will show you how to use VLC or Windows DVD Player to enjoy your DVD collection on Windows 8, 10, or 11.
Before you start, you need a built-in DVD drive or an external USB DVD drive connected to your computer. External drives are available from retailers like Amazon, Dell, or Walmart.
Follow the steps below using either VLC or Windows DVD Player to watch your DVDs on your computer.
Method 1: Using VLC media player involves several straightforward steps. Download VLC from the official website at VideoLAN. Warning: Only download from the official site to avoid malware. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install VLC on your computer. Insert a DVD into your computer’s built-in or external DVD drive. Open VLC media player from your Start menu or desktop. Press Ctrl + D on your keyboard, or go to File > Open Disc from the menu. Select the disc type such as DVD, Blu-ray, or Audio CD. Click Browse if you need to change the drive selection for an external drive. Click the Play button (the sideways triangle) to start watching your DVD. Heavily encoded DVDs may take a moment to decode before playback begins.
Method 2: Using Windows DVD Player is another viable option. Download Windows DVD Player from the Microsoft Store for $14.99. A free trial is available but does not allow actual DVD playback. Note that you may receive Windows DVD Player for free if you upgraded from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 to Windows 10 with Media Center. Insert a DVD into your computer’s DVD drive. Windows DVD Player should open automatically when the disc is detected. Click the Play icon at the bottom of the player window to begin playback.
If you encounter issues, troubleshooting tips can help. Close background processes or other software to free up system resources for DVD decoding and playback. Check your DVD for smudges or scratches and clean the disc if necessary to improve playback quality.
VLC is completely free and supports many formats including WAV, MP4, MOV, DVD, Blu-ray, and Audio CD, making it a versatile choice for all your media playback needs beyond just DVDs. Since Microsoft removed native DVD playback from Windows Media Player starting with Windows 8, users have needed alternative solutions to watch their DVD collections. VLC offers a free, reliable option that works across all Windows versions and supports numerous media formats beyond just DVDs, making it an excellent all-purpose media player for any user.
For those who prefer a simpler, more integrated experience, Windows DVD Player provides automatic playback when discs are inserted and requires no configuration. While it costs $14.99, the seamless integration with Windows may be worth the investment for users who watch DVDs regularly and want a straightforward experience without needing to configure settings manually.
