How to Play Blu-ray on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 10, 2025

Watching Blu-ray movies on your Windows 11 PC can be a fantastic experience, especially with high-definition visuals and superior audio. However, unlike DVDs, Windows 11 doesn’t include built-in support for Blu-ray playback. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This guide will show you how to play Blu-ray discs on Windows 11 step by step, using free and paid solutions.

Why Windows 11 Doesn’t Support Blu-ray Natively

Microsoft removed native Blu-ray playback starting from Windows 8. This is because:

  • Licensing fees for Blu-ray codecs are expensive.

  • Most users consume media via streaming platforms.

As a result, you need either:

  • Third-party media players that support Blu-ray, or

  • Dedicated software provided by your Blu-ray drive manufacturer.

What You Need to Play Blu-ray on Windows 11

Before we start, make sure you have:

  1. A Blu-ray Drive – Internal or external (USB).

  2. A Blu-ray Disc – Commercial or personal.

  3. Blu-ray Playback Software – Options include free and paid players.

  4. Updated Graphics Drivers – For smooth playback.

Step 1: Install a Blu-ray Compatible Media Player

There are several media players capable of playing Blu-ray discs:

Popular Options:

  • VLC Media Player (Free) – Requires additional steps for Blu-ray support.

  • Leawo Blu-ray Player (Free/Paid) – Works out of the box.

  • PowerDVD (Paid) – Premium solution with full support.

We’ll focus on VLC first because it’s free and widely used.

Step 2: Configure VLC for Blu-ray Playback

VLC doesn’t natively support commercial Blu-ray discs due to AACS and BD+ encryption. You need to install keys and libraries manually.

Steps:

  1. Download and install the latest VLC Media Player from https://www.videolan.org.

  2. Download the AACS dynamic library (libaacs.dll) and place it in VLC’s installation folder:

    C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC

  3. Download the KEYDB.cfg file (contains decryption keys) and place it in:

    C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\aacs\

  4. Open VLC → Go to Media > Open Disc → Select Blu-ray → Click Play.

⚠️ Note: VLC may not play some encrypted commercial discs.

Step 3: Use Dedicated Blu-ray Players (Easier Option)

If you want hassle-free playback, use dedicated Blu-ray software like Leawo Blu-ray Player or PowerDVD.

Steps with Leawo Blu-ray Player:

  1. Download and install Leawo Blu-ray Player from the official site.

  2. Insert your Blu-ray disc into the drive.

  3. Launch Leawo → The disc will appear automatically.

  4. Click Play to watch your movie instantly.

This method supports menus, subtitles, and 4K playback, without additional configuration.

Step 4: Rip Blu-ray Discs (Optional)

If you want to watch Blu-ray movies without the disc, you can rip them to a digital format.

Steps:

  1. Use software like MakeMKV or HandBrake.

  2. Insert your Blu-ray disc.

  3. Open the software → Select the disc → Choose output format (MKV or MP4).

  4. Start ripping → Save the file on your PC.

Now, you can watch the movie with any media player without needing the Blu-ray disc.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Playback Issues

1. Blu-ray Not Recognized

  • Check that your Blu-ray drive is connected properly.

  • Update Windows 11 and graphics drivers.

2. No Video or Audio

  • Ensure correct codecs are installed (some players require additional codec packs).

  • Try a different player like Leawo or PowerDVD.

3. VLC Won’t Play Commercial Blu-rays

  • Make sure AACS dynamic library and KEYDB.cfg are correctly placed.

  • Some new discs may have updated encryption that VLC cannot decrypt.

Tips for the Best Blu-ray Playback Experience

  • Use HDMI cable to connect to your monitor or TV for full HD/4K quality.

  • Enable hardware acceleration in your media player settings for smooth playback.

  • Keep Blu-ray drive firmware updated.

  • Reduce background tasks to avoid stuttering.

Advantages of Using Blu-ray on Windows 11

  • High-definition visuals (1080p and 4K).

  • Better audio quality (Dolby, DTS).

  • Menu navigation like in physical Blu-ray players.

  • Offline access without internet dependency.

Disadvantages

  • VLC setup can be complicated for encrypted discs.

  • Commercial software like PowerDVD requires paid licenses.

  • Ripping Blu-rays takes time and consumes storage space.

Conclusion

Playing Blu-ray discs on Windows 11 is not as straightforward as DVDs, but it’s definitely possible. You can use:

  • VLC Media Player (free, with extra setup),

  • Dedicated Blu-ray software (like Leawo or PowerDVD), or

  • Rip discs to digital formats for easier playback.

With the right setup, you can enjoy high-definition movies with great audio quality right from your Windows 11 PC.

FAQs

1. Can I play Blu-ray discs on Windows 11 for free?

Yes, with VLC Media Player and additional libraries, or using Leawo Blu-ray Player.

2. Why won’t VLC play my Blu-ray disc?

Most commercial Blu-rays are encrypted. VLC requires AACS and KEYDB.cfg to decrypt some discs.

3. Do I need a Blu-ray drive to play discs on Windows 11?

Yes, a Blu-ray optical drive is necessary to read physical discs.

4. Can I watch 4K Blu-rays on Windows 11?

Yes, with a 4K-capable drive, monitor, and compatible playback software like PowerDVD.

5. Is ripping Blu-ray legal?

Ripping for personal use is generally allowed in some regions, but distributing ripped content is illegal.

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