VLC slow startup on Windows (updated 2026-9-23)

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This problem may be fixed in VLC version 3.0.24. Upgrade your VLC to version 3.0.24.
If you still have slow startup with VLC, follow the instructions below.

If you use VLC with Windows (new installations use the Windows Media Player by default), you may get a very slow startup when playing music.

This is caused by a bug in Windows Defender. This can be worked around by adding an exception to Windows Defender for the VLC folder.

In Windows, open Settings, selected Update & Security, then Windows Security.
Select Virus and Threat Protection.
In this window, there is a heading, Virus and Threat Protection Settings. Select the link below that, Manage Settings.
Scroll down until you see a heading, Exclusions. Select the link below that, Add or Remove Exclusions .

winvlc-excl.png (8.52 KiB) Viewed 7253 times

Windows security will pop up a do-you-want-to-make-changes window. Select Yes.
You should see the exclusion list and the Add an exclusion button as below.

winvlc-excl-add.png (6.49 KiB) Viewed 7253 times

Select Add an exclusion .

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Select Folder.

The standard Windows file selection dialog will be displayed. Navigate to Local Disk (C:) (displayed in the list on the left). Double-click on Program Files (in the list on the right), Scroll down until you see VideoLAN and double-click it. Select VLC, then select Select Folder.

winvlc-excl-c.png (8.75 KiB) Viewed 7253 times

This will add the entire VLC folder as an exclusion to Windows Defender, and the slow startup problems will be resolved.