Clear Open Network Stream History VLC Media Player

This article will show you how to quickly and easily clear out your Open Network Stream history within the VLC Media Player on Windows as well as Ubuntu.

Clear VLC Network Stream History on Windows

Begin by locating the vlc-qt-interface.ini file which is stored within the “Roaming” directory under your user profile folder. See example below:

C:\Users\YourProfileName\AppData\Roaming\vlc\vlc-qt-interface.ini

Locate the area labeled: [RecentsMRL]

Under that area clear out the list variable by simply setting it to the following: list=””

Then locate the area labeled: [OpenDialog]

Clear out the netMRL variable by simply setting it to the following: netMRL=””

That should clear the network stream history within VLC Media Player. To confirm, simply restart the VLC Media Player and inspect the prior network locations which should no longer exist.

Note, you may also manually insert preset video links to preconfigure the Open Network Stream history section for easier access to commonly viewed streams. Those links would then be available via the drop down within the VLC Media Player.

Heck, while you’re at it, you can even write a script that you can execute to overwrite those values with the click of a mouse button. If you end up writing one, share it with me if you are interested in having it published here.

Clear VLC Network Stream History on Ubuntu

Begin by locating the vlc-qt-interface.conf file which is stored within a hidden directory under your Home directory.

Open your Files application and navigate to the following directory: snap > vlc > 3721

There should be no visible files or directories here but there are some hidden ones. So reveal these hidden files press Ctrl + H on your keyboard to show all hidden files and directories. A directory “.config” should appear, if not try pressing Ctrl + H again.

Within the .config directory open the “vlc” under which reside the file we’ve been looking for, vlc-qt-interface.conf

Here is a complete directory tree list of where the file resides:

Home/snap/vlc/3721/.config/vlc/vlc-qt-interface.config

Open the vlc-qt-interface.config file and locate the area labeled: [OpenDialog]

Clear out the netMRL variable by simply setting it to the following: netMRL=””

Then locate the area labeled: [RecentsMRL]

Under that area clear out the list variable by simply setting it to the following: list=””

That should clear the network stream history within VLC Media Player. To confirm, simply restart the VLC Media Player and inspect the prior network locations which should no longer exist.

Note, you may also manually insert preset video links to preconfigure the Open Network Stream history section for easier access to commonly viewed streams. Those links would then be available via the drop down within the VLC Media Player.

Heck, while you’re at it, you can even write a script that you can execute to overwrite those values with the click of a mouse button. If you end up writing one, share it with me if you are interested in having it published here.

Conclusion

I welcome your thoughts, questions or suggestions on my article on how to clear the Open Network Stream history within VLC Media Player on Windows 11 and Ubuntu 23.

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Let me know if you found any errors within my article or if I may further assist you by answering any additional questions you may have.

Editors Note:

• This article was first published on September 20th, 2022 and was revised on January 29th, 2024 to include clearing the Open Network Stream history within VLC Media Player on Ubuntu.