On top while playing

[bob5215]

Same as "Preferences->Video->Always on Top", except that instead of the player being always on top, it would only be on top of all other windows only while it is actually playing a media file.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

So, remove on top when playback is stopped?

[bob5215]

Correct.

If no file is playing then I don't want VLC to be on top of all other windows because then it just gets in the way, if this proposed option is checked then it will only be maintained on top of other windows if it is playing a file. I have seen this feature in other media players and I am surprised VLC doesn't have it yet.

Also, just to clarify, when the playing stops, I am not asking for VLC to be automatically minimized or sent to the back or something, just to release its "on top" hold and go back to behaving like any other window without the on top being enforced.

[vlcuser1234]

Hi, I wanted to request this feature also.

MPC supports it as well and I don't think it would be too hard to implement.

[fritolays]

Yes this would be perfect, SMPlayer has this feature too. Its getting annoying having to minimize the player all the time just to clear screen space for a minute, cant just pause and click away atm.

[Isaak]

I agree. I like this functionality in KMPlayer and would like to see this in VLC too.

[sxrdguy]

Yes, this needs to be on the top of the wanted-features list.

[andyxl]

Yes, It is quite needed I suppose.

[Bochtenkoning]

I would like also to keep my VLC player on top when I am playing audio files. You can operate the VLC player from the shortcut in the system tray but I would still prefer to see the entire player on top, along with its visualisation effects etc.

(I know that someone already opened a separate topic about this request but I'm having trouble to find it)

Keep up the good work and thnx for this already wonderful VLC player!

[sevink]

Seconding (thirding etc) this request. The lack of this option is literally the only reason I have not switched to VLC from SMPlayer.

[sxrdguy]

is anyone working on this?

[PolishLebowski]

Bumping this, I really want this feature, or at the very least, have vlc remember the 'always on top' setting so I don't have to select it every time I open it.

[Ninnetyer]

HI, I want to request this option too (it will be useful when you are doing something else (like surfing the web, typing) and in the same time watching your prefer tv serie or even a movie for a while), and then if you got tired of watching, you just stop it, and it will go background.
Saving time of closing it and re-opening it, or going to uncheck in the Video>Always on top (option), not mention that you have to press alt + H again (to show options).

BTW: I saw this opton in GOM media player.

Thanks for reading me.

[oggologgo]

Well, it's obviously never going to happen. :/

[shosan]

it's 2k18 and still no option there... i think the creator is just don't care about many request... I think i go back to PotPlayer...

[vlorky]

This is one of the reasons why I mainly use potplayer instead of VLC. Only on top while playing is so convenient!

[dgrrr]

I have the same issue. My older tutoring clients will open a folder of media files, double click on one, listen to it, then return to the folder (without closing vlc), and double-click on a second file... Which starts it playing, but it's in the background, and they can't find the window to use controls. They aren't savvy enough to use the task bar. (No joke.)

I would allow multiple instances, but the likelihood of multiple unseen windows playing audio must give me pause. (They'd have heart attacks.)

I thought that "auto raising the interface" might help, but so far, I can't get it to work.

What to do, broo?

[MttZay]

2022 If developers fundamentally do not meet for 10 years, how can this be implemented using a plugin or extension?

[oggologgo]

This is one of the reasons VLC is not my main player.
It's weird to refuse to add this functionality. Many other players have it, because it's practical.
I never have any reason to keep the player on top, when it's not playing. It's annoying to have to minimize it, just because I need to do something else for a moment, and it's in the way. Pausing the video should be enough.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

It's been working fine here for a number of years/versions though.

[oggologgo]

It's been working fine here for a number of years/versions though.

What has been working fine for a number of years?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Having the video window on top.