Paid and Free DVD player Apps for Windows 11 [Best in 2024]

Your computer can do anything, thanks to the advance of technology. But one thing you will have in mind is if there is a default DVD player on Windows 11. This should not be a problem since DVD is one of the many steps of movies, significant for many generations. However, since not all Windows versions are capable of playing DVDs, you can find solutions here to play DVDs on Windows effectively.

• Part 1. Does Windows 11 Have a DVD player
• Part 2. Top 3 Windows 11 DVD player to Watch DVD Movies
• Part 3. Can’t Play DVD on Windows 11 on Windows Media Player
• Part 4. FAQs about DVD for Windows 11

Part 1. Does Windows 11 Have a DVD player

Windows versions have different functions, as well as DVD support. If your PC has a built-in disc drive, the operating system will likely have pre-installed DVD software to play DVDs. A great example is a Dell laptop equipped with Cyberlink PowerDVD software. If these specific requirements are met, see the steps below on how to play DVD on Windows 11:

Step 1.Grab a disc and insert it into the optical drive of your computer. The DVD player app on Windows 11 will open automatically upon detecting the disc.

Step 2.If the software does not launch, search for movies or DVDs on the Windows 11 search bar. This will help you locate the pre-installed DVD software. If there is no search found, check the computer’s user manual. If Windows 11 DVD player is not working, you can go to the next part.

Part 2. Top 3 Windows 11 DVD player to Watch DVD Movies

The possible answer to why you don’t have DVDs on Windows 11 is probably because Microsoft removed the built-in DVD playback on Windows 11 and Windows 10. But it does not mean you can’t play DVDs anymore, as you can still use alternatives, such as the following software.

Windows DVD player

Microsoft has a Windows DVD player on Windows 11 with a built-in optical drive. It supports both homemade and commercial discs with DVD-Video formats. The disadvantage of the media player is it’s not cost-free, unlike the pre-installed one on other Windows versions. It offers a 7-day free trial, allowing you to check its device compatibility. It is worthwhile if you have a DVD collection you want to binge-watch.

Step 1.Download the Windows DVD player from the Microsoft Store and install it. Remember that the trial version does not offer anything other than a compatibility check. So, you will need to purchase the app to proceed.

Step 2.Next, insert a disc into the optical drive, and the media player will automatically read it. The Windows DVD player will scan the movies, which are ready for you to watch.

Summary: If there is no pre-installed DVD player on your computer, you can download the official Windows DVD player from the Microsoft Store. However, purchase is a must before you can watch your DVD collection.

Blu-ray Player

How to play DVDs on Windows 11 without limitation? Blu-ray Player is one of the best alternatives to download on Windows 11/10/8/7. It is a lightweight program that consists of a user-friendly interface with controls for seamless playback. It supports a wide range of DVD-video types, such as DVD folders, DVD, and DVD ISO files.

When it comes to other formats, it also supports popular ones like MP4, MOV, FLV, AVI, and so on. Additionally, you can take a screenshot while watching with the built-in Snapshot function. Blu-ray Player is downloadable with minimum Windows and Mac requirements.

• Best DVD player for Windows 11 and 10 with a customizable screen.
• Change video and audio track, subtitles, and audio channels.
• Complete playback controls with keyboard shortcuts.
• High-quality video with HD audio for theater-like movie-watching.

Step 1.Download the Blu-ray Player via the buttons below. Install the software to your computer and insert the disc into the optical drive. Click the Open Disc button and choose the Open Folder option. Load the videos to the program.

Step 2.Several options will be given, such as selecting a chapter, audio, subtitle, title, etc. Once you have chosen the desired content, click the Play Movie button, and it will play the movie.

Step 3.Adjust the settings as needed. Go to the Controls menu and change the title or chapter. From the Audio settings, you can choose a new audio track, channel, and device. Video Settings have the screen size option, as well as video and subtitle track.

VLC Media Player

VLC is a free DVD player for Windows 11, Mac, Linux, and other platforms. It is known for its flexible media player, equipped with the libdvdcss library to open encrypted DVD files. While its major role is to play any video and audio file, VLC also offers other functions, including a converter, video editor, and DVD ripper.

Step 1.After downloading, open VLC Media Player on your computer. Insert a disc and click the Media menu from the program’s interface. Click the Open Disc option.

Step 2.When the Open Media window appears, click the Browse button and select the DVD drive. Click Play to watch the content.

You can set VLC as your default media player to autoplay DVDs on Windows 11. (VLC cannot play DVDs? Check the solutions here.)

Part 3. Can’t Play DVD on Windows 11 on Windows Media Player

One thing to worry about is the DVD file that is not always supported and playable by Windows Media Player. What you can do is use the DVD Decoder to transcode the videos to MPEG-2 files. The tool provides the needed DVD codecs, giving your default media player the codec pack it lacks to open DVD videos. Use the DVD Decoder for Windows Media Player 11 free to download XP for codec installation, audio-video synchronization, and more.

Get the detailed solutions to play DVD on Windows Media Player correctly.

Part 4. FAQs about DVD for Windows 11

• How do I play DVDs on Windows 11?

  You will need a DVD player installed on your computer. Then, you only need to insert a disc into the optical drive, and the player will automatically detect the movies to play.

• Do external DVD drives work with Windows 11?

  Usually, Windows 11 supports external DVD drives, especially if they have a compatible USB connection. However, there is still a chance the external drive is incompatible with the operating system.

• Does Windows have a free DVD player?

  Windows DVD player is accessible for people who upgrade from Windows 8 or 7. But you must purchase it from the Microsoft Store if you have no pre-installed DVD player.

• How do I play Blu-ray on Windows 11?

  You can play Blu-ray on Windows Media Player. But the most recommended program to get is Blu-ray Player. It is easy to use and stream videos with perfect quality. It also supports a wide range of DVD-Video and digital formats, such as MP4, WMV, etc.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, DVD players are not always available on Windows versions. But you can still play DVD movies on Windows 11 with the abovementioned solutions. For the best DVD player, you should download Blu-ray Player for a seamless playback experience. It is available for a free download on Windows and Mac.