vlc

AV1 is no longer an experimental codec you have to wrestle with — it’s a mainstream, royalty‑free video format that delivers better compression than older codecs, and Windows users have multiple easy options to play AV1 files today. This feature walks through four practical methods to play AV1...

The guide posted by Fossbytes outlining “3 Proven Ways to Rip DVD to MP4 on Windows/Mac” correctly documents three of the most common workflows people use today: a commercial all-in-one ripper (Tipard DVD Ripper), the open-source encoder HandBrake (with third‑party helpers for encrypted discs)...

VLC’s long drought of user-visible updates has ended with a pragmatic, compatibility-focused release candidate: VLC 3.0.22 RC1 (Vetinari) — and for Windows on Arm users the headline is clear: VLC now ships native ARM64 builds for modern Windows machines, alongside a bundle of decoders, demuxers...

VLC’s long-running 3.0 branch has taken a significant step forward with the appearance of a release candidate for version 3.0.22, and the changes matter for two very different groups of users: the growing population of Windows 11 on Arm owners, and a tiny but vocal set of hobbyists still running...

Tom’s Hardware’s practical rundown of free Windows applications lands where many of us live every day: the toolkit that keeps content, code, and media moving without a subscription bill. The list — which highlights ScreenToGIF, GIMP, Inkscape, Notepad++, Rufus, VLC, and HandBrake — is both a...

Every fresh Windows 11 install brings the same question: what do you add first to make the machine truly useful? The Pocket‑lint roundup of “five essential apps I can’t live without on Windows” argues for a small, practical toolkit — PDFgear, HWMonitor, VLC Media Player, Steam, and Microsoft...

Windows ships with capable, polished defaults — but for many real workflows the built‑in apps are the bottleneck: limited features, conservative design choices, and occasional performance problems leave gaps that small, focused third‑party tools fill quickly and cheaply. The six alternatives...

Windows ships with a tidy set of built‑in utilities that make a PC usable out of the box — but if you’re looking for speed, control, and features that actually match real workflows, the defaults often fall short and quietly slow you down. A recent roundup arguing that Windows’ bundled apps can...

Windows ships with a competent baseline of tools, but for users who prefer transparency, control, and long-term maintainability, the open-source alternatives on this How‑To Geek roster are worth considering — this article examines the nine apps the original author installs on every fresh Windows...

ZDNET’s compact “five apps I always install first” playbook is an efficient, pragmatic shortcut for getting a fresh Windows PC productive in minutes: install Everything for instant local search, Google Chrome for cross‑device browsing and extensions, VLC Media Player for near‑universal media...

Windows ships with a respectable set of built‑in utilities, but for many users those apps feel like checkbox features: serviceable, occasionally sluggish, and often lacking the power or polish needed for real work. A compact set of community‑driven, lightweight replacements can dramatically...

On a fresh Windows machine the right five additions can turn a clean install into a productive, comfortable workspace in under an hour — that’s the practical premise behind the ZDNET roundup of “5 free Windows PC apps I always install first,” and it’s a small, high‑value checklist worth...

Windows Media Player has long been a staple in the landscape of digital media software, evolving through numerous iterations since its inception. Despite the development of newer media players and the continually changing preferences of users, Windows Media Player Legacy—particularly its...

Updating Windows Media Player on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is more crucial today than many users realize—streaming habits and codec advancements make an up-to-date media player essential for error-free playback. This step-by-step guide offers clear, actionable instructions to ensure your PC’s...

When Windows users encounter error code 0xc00d36c4 while attempting to play videos or audio files on Windows 10 and Windows 11, the experience is often bewildering and disruptive. This error appears across a range of built-in media apps, such as Windows Media Player, Films & TV (Movies & TV)...

Windows users are often stereotyped as reliant on a diet of proprietary software, yet a closer look at today’s computing landscape reveals a thriving ecosystem of open-source tools that fundamentally enhance the Windows experience. In reality, some of the most essential Windows apps are...

For anyone seeking a modern, visually appealing, and highly functional video player on Windows, Screenbox has quickly emerged as a noteworthy contender in the saturated media playback arena. This free, open-source application is crafted specifically for Windows 11 and is already drawing...

In the ever-evolving landscape of media players for Windows, Screenbox emerges as a compelling alternative to the venerable VLC Media Player. Combining the robust playback capabilities of VLC with a modern, user-friendly interface tailored for Windows 11, Screenbox offers a refreshing experience...

When setting up a new Windows 11 device, most users rely on the tools and features provided out of the box. However, if you’re looking to go beyond basic usage and truly unlock the potential of your machine, it’s worth turning to a curated collection of “power user” applications. These tools...

In an era dominated by streaming platforms and digital downloads, the humble DVD still holds a nostalgic—and often practical—place in the hearts of many Windows users. From cherished collections of classic movies to educational and specialty discs, DVDs remain a reliable medium for high-quality...