VLC remains one of the top solutions used for playing a wide array of multimedia formats on Windows, but the developing team behind the application is also offering a similar solution for those using Windows 8.1's Metro UI on either desktops or tablets.

An update released today for VLC on Windows 8.1 comes to improve the overall performance that users get when playing videos with this app in the Modern UI, bringing not only a revised interface, but also new features and what VideoLAN calls “huge performance improvements.”

First and foremost, the interface is completely new and makes the app easier to use, no matter if it's installed by beginners or those with a bit more advanced computer knowledge.

The app now comes with a cleaner look that displays all options on the left side of the screen, while the content which can be played is neatly shown in the rest of the window, with thumbnails to let you know which video is which.

Major improvements for Windows 8.1 only

The new VLC app works exclusively on Windows 8.1, so in case you are still running the core Windows 8 operating system, you won't be able to run it.

At the same time, today's version is still in beta development stage, so it might come with a number of bugs and issues that could affect the playback experience in Windows 8.1. VideoLAN says “this is not as perfect and stable as the desktop release,” so it's only natural to find some issues.

The changelog includes a switch from WinRTsock to Winsock, use of Windows 8.1 widgets, libVLC 2.2.0, and a move of the interface code to universal to prepare for the Windows Phone 8.1 release.

Windows Phone build also coming

VideoLAN has already confirmed that a Windows Phone version of VLC is on its way and today's release is pretty much the first step towards this important moment for those looking into ways to play multimedia files on their smartphones with ease.

VLC for Windows 8.1 is now an universal app, so it shouldn't take too long until it arrives on Windows Phone as well, but the devs say that some work on the interface is still needed.

Keep in mind that VLC for Windows 8.1 continues to work only on x86 and x64 builds of Microsoft's operating system, but a Windows RT flavor is also in the works and could see daylight soon after the Windows Phone debut.