When it comes to consuming movies and TV shows for entertainment, streaming subscriptions have been the number one source over the recent years. However, the continued relevance of DVD collections due to their superb quality is hard to deny. In this article, we aim to provide a detailed review of five of the best free DVD players for Windows 11, enabling our readers to access higher-quality movies and TV shows from DVDs directly on their computers. Ultimately, this article aims to fill the gap left by the absence of a built-in DVD player in Windows 11 by utilizing free third-party DVD players.
Due to the declining popularity of DVD collections and physical media in general, most modern computers running Windows 11 often lack a built-in DVD player in their operating systems. This setup presents an obstacle in itself, as Windows 11 users will have to rely on third-party options to watch or listen to physical media on their devices.
Fortunately enough, the market for reliable third-party DVD players is thriving in the current market. With that in mind, users who were looking for an option to watch DVDs on their Windows laptops or computers will only need to make the choice themselves.
In the next section of the article, we will highlight five of the most reliable free DVD players for Windows 11, discussing key performance metrics and focusing on their ability to play DVD media.
Format Compatibility: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-DL
Playback Controls: Create Playlist, Play/Pause, Snapshot, Add Subtitle, Audio Track
User Interface: Beginner-friendly, well-labeled buttons
Performance and Stability: Fast and efficient, hardware-accelerated
Codec Support: H.264 and H.265
Adware and Malware: None
We will start this top five by featuring the best DVD player for Windows 11 in terms of ease of use and features with AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player. Although its name suggests otherwise, this media player program was developed to be versatile enough to support the playback of any form of physical media, including DVDs, CDs, and, its namesake, Blu-ray.
In addition to backward compatibility, the software supports playing videos up to 4K quality, making it a popular choice for users who want to ensure they can enjoy DVD-quality media.
Since the program is designed to read more advanced Blu-ray media, the software has been optimized to support all forms of DVD formats, including DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, and more advanced types.
Moving forward to playback support, DVD content added within the disc itself, such as menu, subtitles, and audio track, is also accessible when using AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player to watch DVD media.
The exceptional versatility and advanced features of AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player are also accessible when using Mac computers running macOS 10.9 or later versions, in addition to its compatibility with Windows computers running Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11.
To learn more about the program and experience its practical features, we recommend downloading it using the link below.
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PROS
CONS
Format Compatibility: DVD-Video, VCD, SVCD, CD-Audio, Digital ISO Images
Playback Controls: Play/Pause, Forward/Backward, Previous/Next
User Interface: Small button labels might be confusing for unfamiliar users
Performance and Stability: Average performance, prone to errors if outdated, resource hungry.
Codec Support: H.264 and H.265
Adware and Malware: None
Moving forward to the second option in this list, we have VLC Media Player. An open-source media player program designed to be used for free on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
Although the software was well-known as one of the best media player programs for computers, most people using the software are unaware that the tool also supports playing DVDs on Windows 10/11 and older versions. Fortunately, this fact stands true: VLC Media Player is capable of playing loaded physical media on computers.
However, beware of the performance limitations of the program, as its stability is compromised by its resource-hungry nature, and it becomes prone to errors if the software is outdated.
PROS
CONS
Format Compatibility: Standard DVD-Video
Playback Controls: Play/Pause, Forward/Backward, Previous/Next
User Interface: The interface design is outdated, relying solely on button icons with no text labels.
Performance and Stability: Below-average DVD reading speed.
Codec Support: H.264 and H.265
Adware and Malware: Adware (ads present in the free version)
When it comes to paid media software, Leawo Blu-ray Player is a top option. However, the tool also offers a free-to-use version for users who want to use the tool but only require basic media player functions.
In this case, using the free version of Leawo Blu-ray Player still gets the job done if you are only looking for a program that can support your DVD entertainment needs. The tool performs properly when compared to other media player options for playing DVDs on laptops and computers.
However, keep in mind that the free version of Leawo Blu-ray Player is limited in features, and it is unfortunately plagued by ads, making the program sometimes impractical to use.
PROS
CONS
Format Compatibility: Standard DVD-Video
Playback Controls: Play/Pause, Forward/Backward, Previous/Next, Open Playlist
User Interface: Complex initial setup. Its interface is strictly button-based.
Performance and Stability: Hardware-accelerated with GPU decoding.
Codec Support: H.264 and H.265
Adware and Malware: Adware (heavy ad presence).
Returning to free-to-use tools, PotPlayer is another multimedia player option for Windows PCs that can play DVD releases. When it comes to playing DVDs, PotPlayer is optimized to play standard DVD-Video and ISO images of ripped DVDs.
Additionally, the software features a reliable GPU-acceleration system, ensuring smooth playback regardless of the DVD or digital file format being played.
Unfortunately, the freeware element of PotPlayer made it rely on ads to support its developers. The software is notorious for being plagued by a heavy ad presence, which suggests a high tendency towards adware.
PROS
CONS
Format Compatibility: Standard DVD-Video
Playback Controls: Play/Pause, Playback Speed, Previous/Next, Audio Filters
User Interface: Limited indicators of interface buttons.
Performance and Stability: Hardware-accelerated with GPU decoding.
Codec Support: H.264, H.265, additional advanced codecs.
Adware and Malware: Adware (aggressive ad placements).
Finally, we will not proceed to another freeware program, especially one designed to be used as a media player for Windows computers, when there is none other than KMPlayer. Unlike the other programs on this list, this software is well-known for being a reliable DVD player, as it is optimized to handle the playback of ISO images and standard DVD-Video discs.
Additionally, the software is capable of playing other formats, including Blu-ray, DVD, and digital videos, thanks to the inclusion of more advanced codecs within the program. These codecs also help it support built-in, subtle, and customizable playback settings.
However, the strong features of KMPlayer come at a heavy cost; the software is aggressively plagued by ad placements, which almost guarantee it to be adware.
PROS
CONS
Are there free DVD players for Windows?
Yes, there are. The market for media player programs for Windows is highly competitive. Some of the better options are AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player and VLC Media Player.
What is the best free DVD player for Windows 11?
When looking for the best DVD player, look for one with convenient features. Luckily, AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is that. The software is optimized to run physical media, including DVDs, Blu-rays, and CDs.
Can VLC Media Player play DVDs and Blu-rays?
Yes, it can. However, VLC Media Player is known for being resource-hungry. Also, ensure that you always update the tool to avoid crashes and errors.
Are freeware media players mostly adware?
Yes, it is common for freeware to have ads. However, not all of them are adware. AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player is a good example of a free-to-use tool that is not adware.
Do I need DVD player software to play DVDs on my computer?
Yes, you do. The DVD player software will be the one that reads the loaded DVD on your computer. Most media players do not support DVDs.
Although a built-in DVD player is not available in Windows 11, the availability of third-party software easily solves this issue. To select a suitable media player for playing DVDs, consider the key factors that must be taken into account. In this case, we highly recommend AnyMP4 Blu-ray Player. Once you have chosen your preferred software, you should now be able to enjoy your DVD collection on Windows 11.
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posted by Ted Klarso to Play Blu-ray&DVDRelated Articles
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