How to disable automatic playback on file load

[vlcsc1]

VLC is an amazing media player but I'm kind of surprised it is unable to do a very basic feature: open a file and put it into pause before playing, like the Quicktime player does. As of now whenever I open a video file it immediately starts playing and it would be great if there was an easy way to disable this so that the video is paused upon opening so I can start it when ready.

Someone else asked about this back in 2009:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=59868

A response from VLCHelp indicated that this feature can be enabled within VLC but they did not say how, other than re-writing the registry, which is something I have no desire (or skill) to do.

I'm hoping there is an easy option added since 2009 that is buried somewhere in the preferences that I missed and someone here can point it out.

Thanks!

[Pegasus1]

It's 2020. Has this been addressed yet? I would really like to be able to open a video in "paused" mode so I can drag it to my second monitor/projector before it starts to play, but can't find a way to do this.

[mederi]

Tools > Preferences > Show settings=All > Playlist: Start paused, Auto start