Windows Movie And TV Playback Speed: Adjust For Perfect Viewing

This tiny setting change transformed my movie nights completely. The Windows Movie & TV app hides playback speed controls where you’d least expect them, but once you know the trick it’s shockingly simple to adjust.

I spent years watching lecture videos at double speed before realizing the app supports this natively. No third-party tools, no workarounds—just a few clicks or a keyboard shortcut away from your perfect viewing pace.

You’ll control playback from 0.5x to 2x in increments that actually make sense. The speed persists between videos too, so you set it once and forget it until you need to change.

Works for local files, streaming content, and even those long recorded meetings you need to power through. Here’s how to access it.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the procedure I follow to get this set up perfectly every time.

Launch the Movies & TV application from the Start menu or by searching for it in the taskbar. The app icon resembles a film strip with a play button overlay. This is the default video player in Windows.

If you don’t see the app, it might have been uninstalled. Reinstall it from the Microsoft Store—search for “Movies & TV” and click Install. Wait until the download completes without errors.

Open the video you want to watch. Click the play button to begin playback. Once the video starts, hover your cursor over the video window to reveal the playback controls at the bottom of the screen.

Look for the speed control button—it looks like a speedometer icon (or “1x” text). If you don’t see it immediately, the controls might be hidden. Move your mouse slightly to bring them back.

Click the speed control button to open the playback speed menu. You’ll see options ranging from 0.5x (half speed) to 2x (double speed). Select your desired speed by clicking on it.

The video will immediately adjust to the new speed. If you choose 1.5x, for example, the audio and video will play faster while maintaining pitch. Verify the change by watching the video for 5-10 seconds—the playback should feel noticeably quicker.

If the available speeds don’t match your needs, you’ll need to use a different app or tool, as Movies & TV doesn’t support custom speed values. For more granular control, try VLC Media Player or Windows Media Player.

Once you’ve set your preferred speed, the app will remember it for future videos. Close and reopen the app to confirm the setting persists. If it resets, check for app updates in the Microsoft Store.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you master playback speed adjustments without frustration.

The Hidden Controls: In Step 2, if the playback controls disappear while watching, don’t panic. The Movies & TV app automatically hides them after a few seconds of inactivity. Simply move your mouse slightly over the video window to bring them back—no need to pause or restart the video. This is a common point of confusion for first-time users.

Speed Verification: After selecting your speed in Step 3, always take those 5-10 seconds to confirm the change. Sometimes the app takes a moment to adjust, especially with longer videos. If the speed doesn’t seem right immediately, wait a few more seconds before trying again. Trust me, this small check saves a lot of backtracking.

App Memory Trick: As mentioned in Step 4, the app remembers your last speed setting, but this only works if you close it properly. If you force-quit or your system crashes, the setting might reset. To ensure it sticks, always close the app through the X button or Alt+F4, then verify by reopening as instructed.

Alternative Apps: If you need speeds outside the 0.5x to 2x range, VLC Media Player and Windows Media Player are great alternatives. VLC, in particular, offers speeds up to 4x and even custom values. I keep both installed for flexibility when the default app’s options feel limiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adjusting playback speed in Windows Movie & TV is a breeze once you know how! 🎯 Whether you’re speeding up a lecture or slowing down a scene, these simple steps give you full control. Ready to optimize your viewing experience? Try tweaking the speed today and see how it transforms your media consumption!