Virtual Display Manager allows you to partition physical monitors into Virtual Displays. VLC media player is VDM-compliant and will maximize based on proximity to a selected Virtual Display. However, to automate the process of launching multiple VLC instances—each mapped to its own Virtual Display in either maximized or full-screen mode—use the helper application VDMBrowser.
VDMBrowser and Virtual Display Manager 4.x (VDM) must be installed and configured.
VLC Media Player must be installed (typically located at C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe).
VLC should allow multiple instances:
Open VLC Media Player.
Go to Tools > Preferences (Ctrl+P).
At the bottom, select All under Show settings.
Navigate to Interface > Main interfaces > Qt.
Ensure “Allow only one instance” and “Use only one instance when started from file manager” are unchecked.
Save and restart VLC.
Use this setup if you want VLC to maximize (with title bar) to a selected Virtual Display.
In VLC, confirm that View > Full Interface is unchecked.
Open VDMBrowser.
Add a new tile:
FileName: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
Window State: Maximized Window
Virtual Display: Select the desired Virtual Display
Enable Window Monitoring: Optional, allows VDM Browser to track VLC window lifecycle
Tags / Favorite: Optional, for grouped or one-click launching
Use this setup for immersive playback on each Virtual Display.
In VLC, confirm that View > Full Interface is checked.
Open VDMBrowser.
Add a new tile:
FileName: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
Window State: Normal Window
Virtual Display: Select the desired Virtual Display
Enable Window Monitoring: Optional, allows VDM Browser to track VLC window lifecycle
Tags / Favorite: Optional, for grouped or one-click launching
If you prefer not to hardcode full-screen behavior within VLC settings, you can enable it per-launch using command-line parameters. This allows for precise playback control, including:
Full-screen mode without modifying VLC’s internal settings
Minimal interface for distraction-free viewing
Hidden video title overlays
Automatic video looping
Keeping the video window always on top
VDMBrowser Tile Example:
FileName: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe
Arguments:
"video_file_name" --qt-minimal-view --loop --no-video-title-show --fullscreen --video-on-topWindow State: Normal Window
Virtual Display: Select target Virtual Display
Tags / Favorite: Optional, for launch groupings
This method gives you full control over VLC playback behavior without relying on manual VLC configuration.
In VDMBrowser, click on each VLC tile you configured.
Each tile will launch VLC on the specified Virtual Display, in the defined window state (Normal, Maximized or Full-Screen).
Use tags or Favorites to group multiple VLC tiles for synchronized launch.