How to Install a Plugin for VLC

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How to Install a Plugin for VLC
Image Credit: Mark_Hubskyi/iStock/Getty Images

The VLC Media Player typically is used as a desktop application, but it includes a plug-in that can play videos embedded on Web pages. VLC's plug-in supports Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and other Web browsers. Embedded videos on websites that would normally play in Windows Media Player, QuickTime or other similar plug-ins will play in an embedded VLC player after you install the plug-in. This add-on is not installed by default; you have to select it as a custom option when you install VLC. If you've already installed VLC, you will have to uninstall and then reinstall it and select the plug-in option in the setup wizard.

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Step 1

Open a Web browser and navigate to the VLC Media Player for Windows download page at Videolan.org/VLC.

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Step 2

Click the "Installer Package" button on the Web page and click "Save" in your browser to save the installer file to your computer.

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Step 3

Double-click the downloaded file on your desktop and click "Run" to launch the installer. Click "Yes" if a User Account Control prompt window appears.

Step 4

Click "Yes" if you are asked to remove the currently installed VLC Media Player from your system. Click "Next," "Uninstall" and then click "Finish."

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Step 5

Click the "Next" button twice when the VLC installer window opens.

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Step 6

Click the check boxes to the left of "Mozilla Plugin" and "ActiveX Plugin" on the "Choose Components" screen of the installer. Click "Next."

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Step 7

Click the "Install" button and click "Finish" once VLC finishes installing.

Step 8

Close all open Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and other browser windows. Re-open your Web browser and the VLC plug-in will be ready for use.

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