Playing BUP files on Windows 11 can seem a bit off the wall at first because, honestly, these files aren’t your usual videos you double-click and watch. They’re backup files made by DVDs, mainly held in the VIDEO_TS folder, and are meant to work with DVD menus and stuff. But if you’re keen to see what’s inside, here’s the straightforward way to get these files playing.
How to Play BUP Files on Windows 11
Basically, you need a decent media player that can read DVD structures, since BUP files are part of the DVD’s table of contents. The easiest way is to use VLC Media Player. It handles these files without much fuss. Here’s what you do.
Method 1: Open the folder directly in VLC
Why it works: VLC can open entire DVD folders, so instead of trying to open a single BUP file, you tell it to load the whole VIDEO_TS folder. The BUP files act as the DVD’s backup of menus — VLC reads everything from the folder and plays it just like a genuine DVD. Pretty handy.
When to use it: If your files are all in the same place (like a typical VIDEO_TS setup), and opening individual files just isn’t doing the trick anymore.
What to expect: VLC will recreate the DVD interface, showing menus and playing videos just as you’d see on an actual DVD. No need to convert or fuss around.
Heads up: Sometimes VLC needs a bit of a nudge to recognise the folder structure. One time it works first go, other times you might need to restart VLC or reselect the folder. Classic Windows making life complicated, of course.
- Head over to This PC or File Explorer
- Find your VIDEO_TS folder where the BUP files sit
- Right-click the folder, select Open with and pick VLC Media Player
Method 2: Open the folder directly in VLC
If the above isn’t working, try this simpler way:
- Open VLC Media Player
- Go to Media > Open Folder
- Find your VIDEO_TS folder with the BUP files and hit Select Folder
This tells VLC to load the full DVD structure, parsing the IFO files and understanding the BUPs under the hood. It’s kind of VLC’s way of saying, “No worries, I got this DVD mess.”
Method 3: Mount the VIDEO_TS as a virtual DVD
If the folder method flops, another trick is to mount the VIDEO_TS as a virtual DVD. Tools like Daemon Tools or Virtual CloneDrive will do the job. Just mount the folder as a virtual DVD drive, then open it with Windows Media Player or VLC. That tricks your system into thinking it’s a real DVD. Because of course, Windows has to make things difficult.
Tips for Playing BUP Files on Windows 11
- Use a solid media player like VLC — it’s free and natively supports DVD structures.
- Make sure Windows 11 is up to date; outdated drivers or codecs can cause headaches.
- Keep VLC updated – it’ll save you from weird bugs, especially on Windows 11 where compatibility can be a pain.
- Organise your VIDEO_TS folders well, with IFO, VOB, and BUP files together — that’s the way to go.
- If playback stalls or shows errors, try reopening the folder or restarting VLC — sometimes it’s as simple as that.
FAQ Time
What are BUP files?
They’re like the backup versions of IFO files, containing info about menus, chapters, and titles. Think of BUPs as the DVD’s safety net if the IFOs get knackered.
Can BUP files be converted into standard videos?
Yeah, but it’s a bit of a hassle. Usually, you’d use DVD ripping tools like HandBrake or MakeMKV. They mostly work with VOB files, not BUPs directly.
Why won’t Windows open BUP files straight up?
Because BUP files aren’t actually videos on their own. They’re part of the DVD’s layered info, not standalone media. Good luck trying to play these without the DVD folder structure or a capable player.
Do I need any fancy codecs?
Not if you’re using VLC — it’s got everything you need built-in. But if you try with Windows Media Player or other apps, you might run into codec headaches.
Another thing’s worth noting: some BUP files might be corrupted or incomplete, especially if they came from damaged or scratched discs. If nothing’s working, double-check your files or try copying the DVD folder again.
Wrap-up
- Open your VIDEO_TS folder in VLC by right-clicking and choosing “Open with VLC”
- If needed, load the whole folder through Media > Open Folder
- Or try mounting the VIDEO_TS as a virtual DVD drive if VLC throws a wobbly
- Keep your files tidy — IFOs, VOBs, BUPs all together — makes life easier
- Always keep VLC up to date; Windows updates can throw a spanner in the works
Hope this helps you crack the code. Sometimes getting these files to play is like fixing a tough Aussie snag — a bit frustrating but mighty rewarding when you finally get there.