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MPC-HC

Lightweight, open-source Windows player continuing the classic Media Player Classic.

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About MPC-HC

MPC-HC (Media Player Classic Home Cinema) is a small, fast Windows media player with an interface modelled on the old Windows Media Player 6. The original project stopped in 2017, and development continues in the clsid2 fork, which is the version most people now install, often bundled with the K-Lite Codec Pack. It uses the LAV Filters for decoding, so it plays almost all common formats, and it pairs well with advanced video renderers such as madVR or MPC Video Renderer for enthusiasts who tune image quality. There are no ads, toolbars or online accounts. It is free and open source under the GPL. It is Windows-only and its interface is deliberately old-fashioned, with options buried in a dense settings dialog. It suits Windows users who want a quick, no-nonsense player that starts instantly.

Best for: Windows users who want a fast, ad-free classic player that can be tuned with advanced renderers.

Pros and cons

What works

  • Very light and quick to start
  • No ads, toolbars or accounts
  • Works well with madVR and other advanced renderers

Why people leave

  • Windows only
  • Dated interface
  • Original project ended; relies on a community fork

Top MPC-HC alternatives

See all 5
  1. 1MPC-BE logo
    MPC-BE

    Sister fork with a refreshed interface and more built-in features.

    66.5
  2. 2PotPlayer logo
    PotPlayer

    Far more options and built-in tools, still free on Windows.

    62.6
  3. 3mpv.net logo
    mpv.net

    Modern mpv-based Windows player with better scaling options.

    59.6
  4. 4VLC media player logo
    VLC media player

    Cross-platform, if you want the same player on every device.

    57.2
  5. 5SMPlayer logo
    SMPlayer

    Friendly front end that remembers settings per file.

    55.3

Why people left MPC-HC

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MPC-HC: common questions

Is MPC-HC free?

Yes. MPC-HC is free, open-source software.

Is MPC-HC open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at clsid2/mpc-hc.

What platforms does MPC-HC run on?

MPC-HC is available for Windows.

What are the best alternatives to MPC-HC?

The highest-ranked MPC-HC alternatives right now are MPC-BE, PotPlayer and mpv.net. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 5 MPC-HC alternatives