VLC Borderless Window Mode | How to Enable it

TL;DR

To activate a VLC borderless window, go to Tools > Preferences > Video, uncheck Decorate windows, and restart VLC. This removes the title bar and window frame for a cleaner viewing experience.

Introduction: Why Use VLC Borderless Window Mode?

VLC Media Player is one of the most powerful and customizable video players available. One lesser-known but highly useful feature is the VLC borderless window mode, which allows users to view content without window decorations like the title bar and borders.

This feature is perfect for:

Presentations and screen recording
Minimalist setups
Watching videos without distractions
Multi-monitor displays

Whether you’re a content creator, a power user, or just someone who enjoys clean interfaces, learning how to toggle VLC into a borderless window mode can greatly enhance your experience.

How to Enable VLC Borderless Window Mode

Step-by-Step Instructions

Open VLC Media Player
Click on Tools in the top menu bar
Select Preferences (or press Ctrl + P)
At the bottom, ensure Show settings is set to All
Navigate to Video
Find and uncheck the box for Decorate windows
Click Save
Restart VLC

Once VLC is reopened, it will no longer display a title bar or frame, giving you a borderless window setup.

Keyboard Shortcut to Open Preferences

You can quickly access the settings to change this feature using:

Ctrl + P (Windows and Linux)
Command + , (macOS)

This shortcut takes you directly to the Preferences menu where you can toggle window decoration options.

Use Cases for Borderless Window Mode

Use Case	Why It’s Useful
Screen Recording	No extra UI visible
Video Playback	Clean immersive viewing
Dual-Screen Setups	Seamless integration across displays
Digital Signage	Professional, fullscreen-like presentation
Presentations	Eliminates distractions on projectors

Additional Customization Tips

Always on Top: In Video settings, you can enable Always on top to keep VLC above other windows.
Fullscreen Toggle: Press F to toggle fullscreen, or Esc to exit.
Hide Mouse Cursor: Use Tools > Preferences > Interface to auto-hide the cursor during playback.

How to Revert Back to Normal Window

If you decide later to re-enable the borders:

Go to Tools > Preferences
Set Show settings to All
Go to Video
Check the Decorate windows option
Click Save and restart VLC

Limitations of VLC Borderless Mode

No Title Bar: You lose the close, minimize, and maximize buttons
Dragging the Window: Without borders, it can be difficult to reposition the window
Not Available on Mobile Versions: This is a desktop-only feature

FAQ

How do I make VLC borderless on Windows?
Go to Tools > Preferences > Video, uncheck Decorate windows, save, and restart VLC.

Does borderless window work on macOS?
Yes, but the process may differ slightly. Check the VLC Video settings in the Preferences panel.

Can I use VLC borderless window mode in fullscreen?
Yes. Borderless mode removes window frames, while fullscreen (F) hides everything.

How do I exit borderless mode?
Go back into Preferences and re-enable Decorate windows, then restart VLC.

Why can’t I move the VLC window after enabling borderless mode?
Borderless mode disables the title bar, so use keyboard shortcuts or Alt + drag (Linux) to move the window.

Is there a shortcut to toggle borderless mode?
No direct shortcut exists, but you can reach Preferences with Ctrl + P to toggle the option.

Conclusion

Activating a VLC borderless window mode offers a streamlined and focused viewing experience. It’s a great option for users who value minimalism, especially when watching videos, giving presentations, or working with multi-display setups.

Remember, you can always revert the changes and regain the title bar and borders if needed. Just head back to Preferences and recheck Decorate windows.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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