How to Take Snapshots in VLC on Windows and Mac

Did you ever watch a video on your computer and want to capture a particular frame or moment? If you use a VLC media player, you’re in luck. Besides playing video and audio formats on computers, VLC also includes a snapshot tool that allows users to capture video frames. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to take snapshots in VLC media player.

After taking a snapshot, VLC offers several options for saving and sharing it. You can use snapshots for various purposes, including capturing important movie scenes or creating thumbnails for videos. And unlike using the screenshot tools on Windows and Mac, VLC’s snapshot option is much easier to use and access the files later.

We have discussed multiple ways to take a snapshot in VLC. Let’s explore them one by one.

1. Snapshot in VLC Media Player Using the Take a Snapshot Button

This is one of the most common ways to take a snapshot in the VLC media player. All you have to do is click on the button. Follow the below steps.

Note: You cannot access the Snapshot button on Mac. It’s only for Windows.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type VLC, and click Open.

Note: If VLC is the default media player, you can double-click on the video file you want to play.

Step 2: Once the VLC launches, click on the Media menu at the top.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Open File.

Step 4: Select the video file to play and click Open.

Step 5: Once you decide on the frame you want to take a snapshot of, click the ‘Take a snapshot’ button below the video seek.

That’s it. You took a snapshot of the frame of a video with ease. You can click the ‘Frame by frame’ button using the snapshot to capture the exact frame. 

If you don’t see the snapshot button, move to the next step.

Step 6: Once the VLC player launches, go to the View tab from the top menu.

Step 7: From the drop-down, select Advanced Controls. 

With this, a bar will appear below the video seek, including the ‘Take a snapshot’ button. If the steps are too long for you to follow, move to the next method.

2. Use Shortcut to Take Snapshots in VLC

This method is similar to the method mentioned above. The only difference is that we will use keyboard shortcuts instead of moving mice and clicking any button. Follow the below-mentioned steps.

On Windows

Step 1: Go to the video file you want to play on VLC, right-click on it, and select Open With.

Note: If VLC is the default media player, you can double-click on the video file you want to play.

Step 2: Select the VLC media player.

The video file will start playing.

Step 3: Once you decide on the frame you want to take a snapshot of, press Shift + S simultaneously on your keyboard.

There you go. You have taken a snapshot in the VLC player. If you are on Mac, continue reading. 

On Mac

Step 1: Select the video file you want to play and right-click on it.

Step 2: From the context menu, select Open With and choose VLC.app. 

Step 3: Once you decide on the frame you want to take a snapshot of, press the Option + Command + S keys simultaneously on your keyboard.

There you have it. You have taken a snapshot of the video you want with a click of a button.

3. Take VLC Snapshots Using Top Menu

You can access the snapshot option from the top menu of the VLC player. This gives you an alternative way to access the snapshot feature. Follow the instructions below.

Note: The steps are the same for both Windows and Mac. For demonstration, we will go with Windows.

Step 1: Go to the video file you want to play on VLC, right-click on it, and select Open With.

Note: If VLC is the default media player, you can double-click on the video file you want to play.

Step 2: Select VLC media player.

The video file will start playing.

Step 3: Once you decide on the frame you want to take a snapshot of, go to the Video menu at the top.

Step 4: From the drop-down, select Take Snapshot.

Note: On Windows, the option is at the bottom of the drop-down. On Mac, you will find the option in the middle. 

That’s it. You now know another way to access the snapshot feature in the VLC player. If this method is not feasible, check out a one-click solution in the next method. 

4. Use Right-Click Menu to Take Snapshots in VLC

Accessing the snapshot option using this method gives you great control over taking snapshots in VLC. Moreover, it is much easier than going through multiple clicks. Follow the steps below.

On Windows

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type VLC, and click Open.

Note: If VLC is the default media player, you can double-click on the video file you want to play.

Step 2: Once the VLC launches, click on the Media menu at the top.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Open File.

Step 4: Select the video file to play and click Open.

Step 5: Once you decide on the frame you want to take a snapshot of, right-click on the screen, go to the Video option, and click Take Snapshot.

That is it. You have successfully taken a screenshot on Windows. If you are on Mac, it is much easier to follow along.

On Mac

Step 1: Select the video file to play and right-click on it.

Step 2: From the context menu, select Open With and choose VLC.app. 

Step 3: Once the seek reaches the frame you want to take a screenshot of, right-click on the screen, and from the contextual menu, select Snapshot. 

There you go. You have taken a VLC snapshot on Mac. Now, knowing where these snapshots are stored is essential too. Follow along.

Also read: How to convert MKV to MP4 on Windows and Mac

Where Does VLC Player Save Snapshots and How to Change Their Location

Wondering where all the snapshots you have taken reside? Well, by default;

• On Windows: C:\Users\username\Pictures 
• On Mac: Desktop/

If, for some reason, you cannot find the snapshots or want to change the file’s location, continue reading.

On Windows

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type VLC, and click Open.

Step 2: Once VLC launches, go to Tools.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Preferences.

Note: Alternatively, press ‘Ctrl + P’ on your keyboard.

Step 4: In the Simple Preferences window, go to the Video tab.

Step 5: Under the Video snapshots section, click on Browse next to the Directory.

Step 6: Now, choose the new folder you want to set as default for your screenshots and click Select Folder.

Step 7: Finally, click Save.

That’s it. You have successfully changed the location of your snapshots. If you are on Mac, things will slightly change.

On Mac

Step 1: Press the Command + Space key on your Mac’s keyboard, type VLC, and press the Return key.

Note: Alternatively, you can launch VLC using Launchpad.

Step 2: Once VLC launches, go to the ‘VLC media player’ menu at the top.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Settings.

Note: Alternatively, you can press Command + , to open the Settings page.

Step 4: In the Preferences window, go to the Video tab.

Step 5: Under Video snapshots, click on the Browse button next to Folder.

Step 6: Now, choose the location where you want to save the snapshot and click Choose. 

Step 7: Finally, click Save.

There you go. So, from next time on, all the snapshots you take on VLC get saved in the selected location on your machine.

If, for some reason, you want to change the image format for your snapshots before saving, move to the next method.

How to Change Screenshots Format in VLC

Changing the file format in VLC before saving the snapshot is quite easy. By default, PNG is the file format saved as a snapshot in VLC. However, check out the steps below if you want to change it to a new format.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type VLC, and click Open.

Note: On Mac, press Command + Space, type VLC, and press the Return key on your keyboard.

Step 2: Once VLC launches, go to Tools.

Note: On Mac, press Command + , to open Settings and continue from Step 4.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Preferences.

Note: Alternatively, press ‘Ctrl + P’ on your keyboard.

Step 4: In the Simple Preferences window, go to the Video tab.

Step 5: Under the Video snapshots section, click on the drop-down next to Format.

Step 6: From the drop-down menu, select the format you prefer. 

Note: VLC offers three file format options, i.e., PNG, JPG, and TIFF.

Step 7: Finally, click Save. 

There you go. From now on, whenever you take a screenshot in VLC, it will get saved in a new image format. If you have any queries we missed addressing in the article above, check out the FAQ section below.

FAQs on Taking Snapshots in VLC

Take a Quick Snap

VLC is a powerful media player that offers many features beyond just playing videos. With the easy steps outlined in this article, you now know how to take snapshots in VLC. So, don’t hesitate to use this feature next time you encounter a scene in a video you want to capture. You may also want to read how to use the VLC player on an Amazon Fire TV stick.