How to Play FLV Files

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FLV is a file format commonly used for online video streaming on websites such as YouTube, MetaCafe, Vevo, and more. FLV isn't a default file format type on Windows and Mac OS X, but you can play FLV files using any third-party media....

Method 1 of 3:

VideoLAN VLC Media Player

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    Navigate to VideoLAN's official website at http://www.videolan.org/.
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    Select the option to download the VideoLAN VLC media player to your Windows or Mac computer.
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    Double-click on the installer file to launch the VideoLAN installation wizard, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the media player on your computer. The application will launch automatically when installation is complete.
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    Click on 'Media' at the top of your VideoLAN session, and select 'Open File.' The 'open file' dialog box will display on-screen.
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    Click on 'Browse,' then navigate to the FLV file you want opened.
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    Select the FLV file, then click on 'Open.' The FLV file will open and play within VideoLAN's media player.[1]
Method 2 of 3:

Wimpy Desktop FLV Player

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    Navigate to Wimpy's official website at http://www.wimpyplayer.net/products/wimpy_standalone_flv_player.html.
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    Select the option to download the Wimpy Desktop FLV Player to your Windows or Mac computer.
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    Double-click on the installer file to launch the Wimpy installation wizard, and follow the on-screen prompts to install the media player on your computer. The Wimpy media player will launch automatically when installation is complete.
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    Drag and drop the FLV file into the Wimpy media player. The FLV file will immediately open and begin playing.[2]
Method 3 of 3:

FLV Player by Applian (Windows Only)

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    Navigate to the official website for Applian Technologies at http://flv-player.us/?src=mdv.
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    Click on the 'Download' link to download the FLV player to your Windows-based computer.
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    Right-click on the installer file and select 'Run as administrator.' This will launch the Applian installation wizard.
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    Follow the on-screen prompts to install the media player on your computer. FLV Player will launch automatically following installation.
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    Open a session of Windows Explorer and navigate to the FLV file you want opened.
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    Drag and drop the FLV file into the FLV Player. The FLV file will open and begin playing in the media player.[3]

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