VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig
January 12, 2026
In a significant development for users of Arm-based PCs, the latest update to the popular media player VLC has introduced native support for Arm processors. This enhancement comes with the release of VLC versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, marking a notable step forward for Windows on Arm laptops powered by Snapdragon X2 Plus, X2 Elite, and X2 Elite Extreme chips.
VLC version 3.0.22/3.0.23: Fixes and Highlights
VLC 3.0.23 is the twenty-fourth update of the “Vetinari” series.
Improves playback across various formats, including enhanced rendering of subtitles.
Includes codec updates, specifically for dav1d, ffmpeg, and libvpx.
Adds support for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809.
Introduces a Dark Mode user interface option for Windows and Linux users.
Updates to most third-party libraries have been implemented.
Significant stability improvements to demuxers, thanks to feedback from rub.de and oss-fuzz.
Allows users to rename, move, or delete playing files on Windows.
Addresses multiple security issues, with details available on the official site.
Maintenance supported by the generous sponsorship of the Sovereign Tech Fund.
The full change log is accessible in a straightforward Plain Text format on VideoLAN’s website. This update follows the initial introduction of dark mode and native Windows on ARM support last September, which was then in the Release Candidate phase.
As the landscape of Arm-based computing evolves, particularly with the launch of Copilot+ PCs, there is a growing perception that Snapdragon-powered devices are primarily focused on artificial intelligence capabilities. However, insights from Dell suggest that consumer interest in AI-centric PCs may not be as robust as anticipated.
Yet, the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip offers more than just AI features. Recent benchmarks shared by Qualcomm reveal that it outperforms Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors at comparable power levels. The Snapdragon X2 Plus delivers up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265U and boasts a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. While these benchmarks originate from Qualcomm, the company is known for its transparency in performance reporting.
The first generation of Snapdragon X chips successfully competed against AMD and Intel, but the X2 lineup is poised to be a pivotal moment for Arm-based Windows computing. Our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, who attended a press preview in New York City, remarked that the Snapdragon X2 Plus could “redefine Windows laptops in 2026.” With Microsoft’s Prism emulation showing marked improvements, the preference for applications that run natively on Arm-based chips is clear. As of last September, Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications, a figure that will now include media consumption via VLC.
How much of a difference does native support for certain applications make for Arm-based PCs? Let us know in the comments!
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!
VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig
In a significant development for users of Arm-based PCs, the latest update to the popular media player VLC has introduced native support for Arm processors. This enhancement comes with the release of VLC versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, marking a notable step forward for Windows on Arm laptops powered by Snapdragon X2 Plus, X2 Elite, and X2 Elite Extreme chips.
VLC version 3.0.22/3.0.23: Fixes and Highlights
The full change log is accessible in a straightforward Plain Text format on VideoLAN’s website. This update follows the initial introduction of dark mode and native Windows on ARM support last September, which was then in the Release Candidate phase.
As the landscape of Arm-based computing evolves, particularly with the launch of Copilot+ PCs, there is a growing perception that Snapdragon-powered devices are primarily focused on artificial intelligence capabilities. However, insights from Dell suggest that consumer interest in AI-centric PCs may not be as robust as anticipated.
Yet, the Snapdragon X2 Plus chip offers more than just AI features. Recent benchmarks shared by Qualcomm reveal that it outperforms Intel’s Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors at comparable power levels. The Snapdragon X2 Plus delivers up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265U and boasts a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. While these benchmarks originate from Qualcomm, the company is known for its transparency in performance reporting.
The first generation of Snapdragon X chips successfully competed against AMD and Intel, but the X2 lineup is poised to be a pivotal moment for Arm-based Windows computing. Our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, who attended a press preview in New York City, remarked that the Snapdragon X2 Plus could “redefine Windows laptops in 2026.” With Microsoft’s Prism emulation showing marked improvements, the preference for applications that run natively on Arm-based chips is clear. As of last September, Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications, a figure that will now include media consumption via VLC.
How much of a difference does native support for certain applications make for Arm-based PCs? Let us know in the comments!
Follow Windows Central on Google News to keep our latest news, insights, and features at the top of your feeds!