Have you ever tried to open a .VOB file on your Windows 10 computer only to find it won’t play? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many users face this issue because Windows 10 doesn’t natively support all DVD video file formats.
In this detailed, beginner-friendly guide, we’ll explain what VOB files are, why they sometimes won’t play, and most importantly, how to play VOB files on Windows 10 using different methods — from built-in tools to free, reliable media players.
Whether your VOB files come from a DVD, an old movie collection, or a downloaded video, this step-by-step guide will help you open and enjoy them seamlessly.
What Is a VOB File?
A VOB file (Video Object) is a multimedia container format used on DVDs. It contains:
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Video streams (usually in MPEG-2 format)
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Audio tracks (AC3, MP2, or DTS)
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Subtitles and menu information
These files are typically stored in the VIDEO_TS folder on a DVD and have the extension .vob.
Example DVD structure:
VOB files are essential for DVD playback, but outside of that environment, they may not open automatically without the right codecs or players.
Why Windows 10 Can’t Play VOB Files Natively
Although Windows 10 supports many video formats, it doesn’t include DVD codecs by default. Microsoft removed them after Windows 7 due to licensing costs and the decline of DVD usage.
That’s why double-clicking a .vob file may not do anything or may show an error like:
“Can’t play this file. The item was encoded in a format that’s not supported.”
To fix this, you can either:
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Install a VOB-compatible media player (like VLC), or
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Convert the file to a more universal format like MP4.
Are VOB Files Safe to Play?
Yes, if they come from a legitimate DVD or trusted source. However, be careful with downloaded VOB files, as they can sometimes contain malware disguised as video files.
Always:
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Scan unknown files with antivirus software.
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Avoid pirated DVD rips from unsafe websites.
How to Play VOB Files on Windows 10 (Quick Overview)
Here’s a quick summary before we go step-by-step:
| Method | Tool | Difficulty | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VLC Media Player | ⭐ Easy | All users |
| 2 | Windows Media Player | Medium | Basic playback |
| 3 | Movies & TV App | Medium | Modern UI fans |
| 4 | Convert to MP4 | Easy | Universal compatibility |
| 5 | DVD Software | Medium | Physical DVDs |
| 6 | Mount/Extract DVD Folders | Advanced | Manual playback |
| 7 | Online Players | Easy | Occasional users |
Method 1: Use VLC Media Player (Best Free Option)
When it comes to playing VOB files, VLC Media Player is the most reliable and versatile choice. It supports almost every video format — including DVD and Blu-ray structures — right out of the box.
✅ Steps to Play VOB Files with VLC
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Download VLC
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Visit the official site: https://www.videolan.org/vlc
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Click Download VLC and install it.
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Open the VOB File
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Right-click your
.vobfile. -
Choose Open with → VLC Media Player.
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Your video should start playing instantly.
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Play an Entire DVD Folder
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Open VLC → click Media → Open Folder.
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Select the VIDEO_TS folder that contains the VOB files.
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VLC will treat it as a full DVD and load menus/subtitles automatically.
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💡 Bonus Tip
VLC also lets you convert VOB to MP4 if you want to play it on mobile or other media apps (see Method 4).
Method 2: Play VOB Files Using Windows Media Player
Windows Media Player (WMP) can play VOB files — but only if it has the proper codec installed.
Steps
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Open Windows Media Player from the Start menu.
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Click File → Open → browse to your
.vobfile. -
If it doesn’t play, install a MPEG-2 codec pack like K-Lite Codec Pack.
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After installation, restart your PC and try again.
⚠️ Note
WMP may not handle multiple VOBs (like in DVD chapters) seamlessly. For that, VLC or specialized DVD software works better.
Method 3: Use Movies & TV App (with Codec Packs)
The Movies & TV app (also known as “Films & TV”) in Windows 10 supports modern formats but not VOB by default.
Steps
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Open Microsoft Store.
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Search for MPEG-2 Video Extension (from Microsoft).
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Purchase or install it (small one-time fee).
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Once installed, open your VOB file with Movies & TV.
Now, Windows can decode MPEG-2 content directly in its native video player.
Method 4: Convert VOB Files to MP4 for Easier Playback
If you prefer using standard media apps (like Movies & TV, or mobile devices), convert .vob to .mp4.
Use VLC to Convert VOB to MP4:
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Open VLC → click Media → Convert / Save.
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Click Add → select your
.vobfile. -
Click Convert / Save.
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Under Profile, choose Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).
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Choose an output location → click Start.
VLC will convert the file — you can now play it anywhere.
Method 5: Use DVD Playback Software
If your VOB files are from a DVD, you can use DVD playback programs like:
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PowerDVD
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WinDVD
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KMPlayer
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PotPlayer
These apps support full DVD menu navigation, subtitles, and chapters — something VLC also handles well, but with more advanced customization.
Method 6: Mount or Extract DVD Folders Manually
If your VOB files come from an ISO or DVD image, you can mount it as a virtual DVD drive.
Steps
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Right-click the
.isofile → select Mount. -
Open File Explorer → go to the new virtual DVD drive.
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Open the VIDEO_TS folder.
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Double-click any
.vobfile to play it (preferably in VLC).
Alternatively, you can extract DVD folders using tools like 7-Zip and play VOBs individually.
Method 7: Use Online VOB Players or Converters
If you don’t want to install software, online tools can play or convert .vob files directly in your browser.
Examples:
Steps:
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Upload your
.vobfile. -
Choose MP4 or AVI as the output format.
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Download and play the converted video.
⚠️ Caution: Avoid uploading copyrighted or large DVD movies to online services. It’s better for small personal clips.
Troubleshooting: Why VOB Files Won’t Play
Here’s a quick table of common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| File won’t open | Missing codec | Install VLC or K-Lite Codec Pack |
| Choppy playback | Large VOB file / slow disk | Copy files to hard drive first |
| No audio | Unsupported audio codec | Use VLC or convert file |
| VOB greyed out | File association issue | Right-click → “Open with” → VLC |
| Broken video | Corrupted DVD rip | Try another source or repair tool |
Tips for Smooth Playback
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Always copy VOB files to your hard drive before playback to prevent lag.
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Keep VLC updated to ensure full codec support.
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Use MP4 format for future compatibility.
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If you watch DVDs frequently, consider installing DVD playback extensions from Microsoft.
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Enable Hardware Acceleration in VLC for smoother playback on older PCs.
Conclusion
Playing VOB files on Windows 10 is easy once you know which tools to use. The best option for most users is VLC Media Player — it’s free, open-source, and supports almost every media format imaginable.
If you prefer native apps, install the MPEG-2 Video Extension or convert your VOBs to MP4 for long-term convenience. With the steps above, you’ll never have to worry about “unsupported file format” errors again.
FAQs
1. Can Windows Media Player open VOB files?
Yes, but it may require an additional MPEG-2 codec like the K-Lite Codec Pack.
2. Is VLC safe to use?
Absolutely. VLC from the official VideoLAN website is 100% safe and free of ads or malware.
3. Why does my VOB file have no sound?
Your player may lack the proper audio codec. Use VLC or convert the file to MP4 using H.264 + MP3.
4. Can I merge multiple VOB files into one video?
Yes. Use VLC, HandBrake, or FFmpeg to merge and convert multiple VOBs into a single MP4 video.
5. What’s the best format to convert VOB to?
MP4 — it’s universally compatible and offers excellent video quality with smaller file sizes.
Key Takeaways
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VOB files are standard DVD video files containing video, audio, and subtitles.
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Windows 10 lacks built-in support for VOB — install VLC or MPEG-2 codecs.
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VLC Media Player is the easiest, most reliable way to play or convert VOB files.
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Converting to MP4 ensures compatibility with all modern players.
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Always download tools from official websites for safety and best performance.