What is VidPlayer?

VidPlayer is a fast, lightweight audio player for Windows with a focus on playlists, drag & drop, double-click to play, and a Windows-7 style Aero glass look. It started as a small personal project and slowly mutated into a full “media player from an alternate 2000s timeline”.

The goal is pretty simple: make something that feels like installing a cool audio player from a magazine cover-disc in 2004, but with modern code, modern OS support, and way fewer toolbars. 😎

Branches of the Project

Modern Sonic Fan Tech Editions

The modern branch is the version built for Windows 7–11, updated with new features, bugfixes, and experiments like CD support and ripping, theming tweaks, and quality-of-life stuff. These builds are the ones you’ll find on the GitHub releases page.

Axel613’s Retro Fork

There is also a special retro fork of VidPlayer made by Axel613, aimed at genuine Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, and even 3.1 hardware. It has:

  • Classic setup.exe installer like an old CD-R software disc
  • Manuals and a fake 2000s-style software box
  • Plans for a Windows 3.1 shareware edition that loves MIDI and tiny MP3s

The idea is that both branches share the same “VidPlayer spirit”, but each is tuned for its era.

Open Source & License

VidPlayer is now open source. You’re welcome to study the code, build your own versions, and contribute fixes or new features.

However, there are some rules:

  • You must give proper credit to the original creator(s).
  • Don’t sell it or bundle it with paid stuff without getting permission first.
  • Read the LICENSE file in the repo for the full details.

TL;DR: have fun, make cool forks, but don’t be a jerk.

Credits

Core Development

  • sonic Fan Tech / Sonic Fan Games – Original creator, main developer, modern builds
  • Axel613 – Retro fork developer (Windows 95–7 + Windows 3.1 shareware project)

Design & Aesthetic

  • Aero glass theme, “Windows 7 but cooler” look
  • 2000s-style website idea and general vibe from late-night Discord brainstorming

Testing, Feedback & Hype Squad

  • Ralsei – Feedback, ideas, and constant “BRO THIS IS SICK” energy
  • Friends on Discord – Bug reports, feature requests, OS compatibility testing
  • Everyone who downloaded a beta, broke it, and reported what happened

Special Thanks

  • The people who still run real Windows 95/98/XP machines in 2025
  • Everyone who loves physical CDs, floppies, manuals, and software boxes
  • Open-source projects and libraries that make this possible (Python, PySide6/Qt, etc.)

If your name should be on this page and isn’t yet, poke the devs and we’ll add you.