VLC: How to Hide the File Name When Opening Videos

Sometimes, when you open a video file in VLC Media Player, a brief overlay displaying the file name appears. This can break immersion if you’re watching a movie or TV show. Luckily, it’s easy to disable this feature on Windows and macOS. Here’s how:

Windows:

1. Open VLC and go to Tools > Preferences (or press Ctrl+P).
2. Select the Subtitles/OSD tab.
3. Uncheck Show media title on video start.
4. Click Save.

macOS:

1. Open VLC and select VLC media playerfrom the menu bar, then Settings… (or press Cmd+,).
2. At the bottom left, choose Show all.
3. Navigate to Video.
4. Uncheck Show media title on video.
5. Click Save.

By following these steps on your respective operating system, you can enjoy a cleaner, more focused video viewing experience in a VLC media player without the distraction of file names popping up at the start. Whether for personal privacy or professional presentations, this adjustment ensures your VLC video playback starts smoothly and without unnecessary on-screen clutter.