Download Older VLC Versions (Official Archive)

Where to find official old VLC versions (2.x, 3.0.x) on videolan.org, why you should prefer the latest stable, and the security risks of running outdated builds.

Official Download — No Bundle · VLC 3.0.23 · Varies by version (~30–45 MB)

Official Download — No Bundle — VLC 3.0.23

Note: videolan.org · All platforms

VideoLAN hosts every official release on its own archive server, download.videolan.org — no third-party "old version" sites needed. That is the only place you should get an older VLC. This page explains how to read the archive layout, when downgrading makes sense, and why running an outdated VLC is usually a bad trade.

On this page

Available builds

BuildFileNote
Official archivehttps://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/All historical releases, official.
Last 3.0.x linehttps://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/3.0.23/Current stable branch.
Legacy 2.xhttps://download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/2.2.8/Final 2.x release — for old OSes only.

System requirements

ItemRequirement
Archivedownload.videolan.org — the only official archive
Windows3.0.x requires Windows 7+; 2.2.8 runs on Windows XP–10
macOS2.2.8 supports macOS 10.6–10.14; 3.0.x requires macOS 10.13+
LinuxSource tarballs available for every release
SecurityOlder versions lack fixes — use only if a newer one breaks your system
SupportNo official support for versions older than the current stable

Install steps

Step 1Step 1 — Navigate the official archive

Go to download.videolan.org/pub/videolan/vlc/. Folders are named by version (2.2.8, 3.0.20, 3.0.23…). Open the version folder, then your platform subfolder (win64, macosx, android, …) and grab the installer or APK.

Step 2Step 2 — Pick a justified reason to downgrade

Legitimate reasons: your OS is too old for the latest VLC (e.g. Windows XP needs 2.2.8), or a plugin/skin only works on an older line. If it is merely "the new version feels different", try adapting first — downgrading usually trades one set of bugs for older, known ones.

Step 3Step 3 — Uninstall the current version first

To avoid conflicts, uninstall the newer VLC, then delete the config folder (%APPDATA%\vlc on Windows) so old preferences do not leak into the older version. Install the archived build and re-test your files.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to download VLC from other "old version" sites?
No. Third-party archives are frequently repackaged with adware or malware. download.videolan.org is the only official archive — bookmarked above.
Which old VLC works on Windows XP?
VLC 2.2.8 is the last release supporting Windows XP/2003. Newer 3.0.x requires Windows 7 or later. Consider upgrading the OS for security.
Why does my old VLC fail to play new files?
New container/codec variants (AV1, new MKV features, newer H.265 profiles) need updated decoders. Old builds cannot decode what did not exist yet — that is the main reason to update.
Will an old version still receive security fixes?
No. VideoLAN only patches the current stable branch. Known CVEs in older builds stay unpatched — another reason to stay on 3.0.23.