.VID File Extension
Generic Video File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 80 Votes |
What is a VID file?
A VID file is a generic video file that has been saved in one of many possible video file formats. Often, the file’s extension has been changed from its original extension to .vid. For example, a user might have renamed a file like clip1.mov to clip1.vid in an attempt to play the video using their preferred media player.
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Because VID files are now used infrequently, some programs that previously supported opening and playing VID files no longer do so. For example, you can no longer open and play VID files using Apple QuickTime Player, and Microsoft Windows Media Player does not recognize the .vid extension by default.
How to open a VID file
You can open and play a VID file with VideoLAN VLC media player, a free-to-download media player. For example, to open a VID file in the Windows version of VLC:
- Select .
- In the window that appears, select from the dropdown menu that appears above the button.
- Navigate to and open your VID file.
How to convert a VID file
VideoLAN VLC media player can convert VID files to several other video formats, including:
Programs that open VID files
Bethesda Softworks Video
| Developer | Bethesda Softworks |
| Popularity |
2.2 | 10 Votes |
A VID file may also be a video file used by various computer video games developed by Bethesda Softworks, such as Terminator: Skynet and The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. It contains video and audio data saved in the Bethesda VID format. VID files are primarily used to store in-game cutscenes played during gameplay.
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You will most likely encounter a VID file only when exploring the game resource files included with an old Bethesda Softworks game installed on your computer. VID files are rare because they are used only in Bethesda Softworks games released in the 1990s.
How to open a VID file
Since Bethesda Softworks video games no longer include VID files, few programs support the format. However, you can convert VID files to a more common video format with FFmpeg or HandBrake, then open the converted file with a media player, such as Microsoft Windows Media Player (Windows) or VLC media player (multiplatform).