VLC is one of the most used video players in the world, especially since it is so versatile and has support for virtually all existing formats and codecs. Of course, because it is so full of features, VLC can be a bit difficult to use right from the start, but there are ways to simplify this. A good example is the software shortcuts, which you can know better in our list below!
Table of Contents
1. Full Screen
To enter VLC fullscreen mode, simply press the “F” screen in Windows and the “Command” and “F” keys if you are using the app on the Mac. This is a good way to hide commands while watching your video. However, you can also hide them without going full screen, see later in our list.
2. Exit full screen
If you want to exit full-screen mode quickly, it’s also very easy. Press “Esc” on both Windows and Mac.
3. Pause / Play
You must use the same shortcut to pause or play a video using VLC. You just press hit the “Space” key on Windows or Mac.
4. Enable subtitles
Most people use subtitles on foreign videos they watch, so this shortcut can be very useful. To activate or deactivate them, you only have to press the “V” key in Windows and “S” on the Mac.
5. Forward / Backward
There are many ways to move or rewind a portion of the video you are watching in VLC. In Windows, press the “Ctrl” and “Right Arrow” keys to advance by a short section, “Alt” and “Right Arrow” to advance by a middle stretch and “Shift” and “Right Arrow” to advance by a further stretch long. If you want to rewrite a portion of the video, just use the “Left Arrow” instead of the “Right Arrow”.
On the Mac, you should press the “Command”, “Ctrl” and “Right Arrow” keys for a short advance, “Command”, “Option” and “Right Arrow” for a medium advance and “Command”, “Shift” and “Right Arrow” for a long advance. Again, use the “Left Arrow” to return a passage instead of moving forward.
6. Volume
If you want to adjust the video volume with a shortcut, press the “Ctrl” and “Up Arrow” or “Down Arrow” keys in Windows. On the Mac, use the “Command” and “Up Arrow” or “Down Arrow” keys.
7. Open file
To open a video file quickly, press the “Ctrl” and “O” keys on Windows and “Command” and “O” on the Mac. When you run them, you can select any compatible file from a directory on your computer.
8. Hide commands
If you do not want to enter full-screen mode, but you do not want to see all the player commands while watching your video, there is a useful shortcut to help you. On Windows, press the “Ctrl” and “H” keys to hide the commands. On the Mac, just press the “Command” and “H” keys to do the same.
9. Preferences
If you want to open the VLC “Preferences” menu, you can press “Ctrl” and “P” in Windows and “Command” and “P” on your Mac.
10. Open Play-list
If you have a playlist of videos to open in VLC, you can press “Ctrl” and “L” in Windows and “Command” and “L” on Mac.
11. Zoom
To zoom in or out of a VLC video, you only need to press the “Z” screen in both Windows and Mac. It will cycle through its 4 zoom options: 1/4, 1/2, and 200%.
12. Effects
A lot of people often use the VLC effects and filters menu, so it’s useful to know your shortcut to speed up access. Just press “Ctrl” and “E” on Windows and “Command” and “E” on Mac.
13. Take print
Taking prints of videos and movies is a very common thing, especially if you want to share the image with your friends. To do this, simply press the “Shift” and “S” keys on Windows and Mac.
Of course, the option to create a screen capture using the print screen button on the keyboard still works, but if you use more monitors, for example, the print screen will capture all of them in a single image, while the shortcut will pick up only the screen video.
14. Manage audio
There are some interesting shortcuts to managing the audio speed of the video. On Windows, press the “J” key to speed up and “K” to decrease.
On the Mac it’s also simple: you should press the “F” key to speed up the audio and the “G” key if you want to decrease it.
In addition, you can also press “M” to mute and cut the audio of your video completely on both operating systems.
15. Manage captions
The same works with subtitles if you realize they are out of sync, for example. You can increase the speed by pressing “G” and decrease when pressing the “H” key in Windows.
On the Mac, you will need to press the “H” key to increase the speed of the subtitles and the “J” key to decrease.
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!