How to Play BUP Files on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 15, 2025

Have you stumbled across a .BUP file on your Windows 11 PC and wondered how to open or play it? You’re not alone. Many users come across these files while dealing with DVDs or backup software, and since they’re not as common today, it’s easy to get confused.

The good news? Playing or opening BUP files on Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it seems. In this guide, I’ll explain what BUP files are, why they exist, and give you step-by-step instructions to play them with different tools.

What is a BUP File?

A BUP file is a backup file created by DVD software.

  • When you play a DVD, there are several file types inside the VIDEO_TS folder:

    • IFO files – Store information about menus and playback.

    • VOB files – Contain the actual video and audio.

    • BUP files – Backups of IFO files, in case the original gets corrupted.

In short: BUP files don’t contain video themselves—they just store playback instructions. To actually watch the video, you’ll usually need the VOB files that go along with them.

Can You Play BUP Files Directly?

Not exactly. Since they don’t store video or audio, you can’t just double-click a BUP file and watch a movie. But you can use media players or DVD software that recognize them and link them with the actual VOB video files.

Method 1: Use VLC Media Player (Recommended)

VLC is the easiest and most reliable way to play DVD-related files on Windows 11.

Steps:

  1. Download and install VLC Media Player from the official site.

  2. Open VLC.

  3. Click Media > Open Folder.

  4. Navigate to the DVD folder (usually named VIDEO_TS).

  5. Select the folder and hit Open.

VLC automatically detects IFO, VOB, and BUP files, then plays the DVD correctly.

Method 2: Play BUP Files with Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player (pre-installed in Windows 11) sometimes works if the DVD structure is intact.

Steps:

  1. Copy the VIDEO_TS folder from the DVD to your PC (if needed).

  2. Open Windows Media Player.

  3. Drag the folder into the player window.

⚠️ Note: This only works if the VOB and IFO files are present alongside the BUP.

Method 3: Use a Dedicated DVD Player Program

If VLC isn’t your style, try other DVD players:

  • PowerDVD

  • WinDVD

  • KMPlayer

  • MPC-HC (Media Player Classic)

These programs also read DVD structures and can handle BUP files properly.

Method 4: Rename BUP to IFO (Quick Hack)

Since BUP files are backups of IFO files, sometimes renaming them works.

Steps:

  1. Make a copy of the .BUP file.

  2. Right-click it → select Rename.

  3. Change .BUP to .IFO.

  4. Try opening it in VLC or another DVD player.

⚠️ Warning: This only works if the original IFO file is missing or damaged.

Method 5: Convert DVD Files to MP4

If you’d rather not deal with BUP/IFO/VOB formats, you can convert the whole DVD into a modern format like MP4.

Steps with HandBrake (free software):

  1. Download and install HandBrake.

  2. Insert your DVD or open the VIDEO_TS folder.

  3. Choose a title (the main movie).

  4. Set output format to MP4.

  5. Click Start Encode.

Now you can play the movie on any device without worrying about BUP files.

Method 6: Open BUP Files in a Text Editor (For Info Only)

If you’re curious about what’s inside a BUP file (but don’t want to play it), you can open it with Notepad.

  • Right-click the file → Open with > Notepad.

  • You’ll see technical data, but not actual video.

This is only useful for troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • VLC won’t play? Update to the latest version.

  • Files missing? Check if both VOB and IFO are in the same folder as the BUP.

  • DVD won’t read? Try copying it to your hard drive first.

  • Still not working? Use a DVD ripper like HandBrake to convert the content.

Is It Safe to Open BUP Files?

Yes—BUP files are safe. They’re just backups of DVD navigation data. However, make sure they come from a trusted source (like your own DVD), as malware can sometimes disguise itself with fake extensions.

Tips for Managing BUP Files

  • Always keep BUP, IFO, and VOB files together.

  • Store them in a VIDEO_TS folder for proper playback.

  • If archiving DVDs, consider converting them to MP4 for easier use.

Conclusion

BUP files on Windows 11 might look confusing at first, but now you know the secret: they’re just backups of DVD info files, not actual video. To play them, you’ll need the full DVD structure (VOB, IFO, and BUP together) and a player like VLC Media Player.

If you want something simpler, converting your DVD into MP4 is the best long-term solution. With these methods, you’ll never be stuck wondering what to do with a BUP file again.

FAQs

Q1: Can I play a BUP file without the VOB files?
No, BUP files alone don’t contain video—they need the VOB video files to work.

Q2: Which player is best for BUP files on Windows 11?
VLC Media Player is the most reliable and free option.

Q3: Can I delete BUP files from a DVD folder?
Not recommended—they serve as backups. Without them, you may lose playback options if IFO files are corrupted.

Q4: How do I convert a DVD with BUP files into MP4?
Use free tools like HandBrake to rip the DVD into MP4 format.

Q5: Are BUP files still used today?
They’re rare now, but still exist on older DVDs and backup systems.

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