VLC users have noticed that opening a simple MP3 file can take as long as 30 seconds, and the root cause is not what some initially assumed. The original report points to a Windows Defender bug that interferes with VLC’s file access, not a problem with VLC’s own code.
The delay came to wider attention after game designer Jonathan Blow, known for Braid and The Witness, criticized the VideoLAN team for what he saw as poor programming quality. His comments framed the issue as an example of open-source software maintenance failing. But VideoLAN points to Windows Defender as the actual culprit, arguing that VLC is not at fault.
What the Windows Defender bug does
According to the report, Windows Defender’s real-time scanning can hang when VLC tries to load certain audio files, adding tens of seconds to a normally instant process. The bug appears to affect MP3 files specifically, though the exact trigger is still being investigated. Users who have excluded VLC or MP3 files from Defender scans report that the delay disappears.
Jonathan Blow’s criticism and the correction
Blow’s frustration was understandable given the symptom, but the explanation shifts the blame from VLC to Microsoft’s security software. The episode recalls debates about whether free software can match the polish of commercial tools. Similar questions have dogged freemium mobile games, where performance complaints often accompany free access.
Even major projects face scrutiny when they fall short of expectations, as seen with the launch of GTA Online, which drew its own share of user criticism. The VLC situation is less dramatic but shows how quickly blame can land on the wrong target.
The impact on users
For anyone hitting the 30-second wait, the immediate fix is to add VLC to Windows Defender’s exclusion list or temporarily disable real-time scanning. Microsoft has not yet confirmed a patch timeline, but the report suggests the issue is known and being addressed.
GamerHeadlines Takeaway
The VLC slowdown is a reminder that performance issues can have unexpected causes. While Jonathan Blow’s complaint was understandable, the real problem appears to be a Windows Defender bug. Until Microsoft rolls out a fix, users should adjust Defender settings to restore VLC’s usual speed.
