Where Does MPC-HC Store Its Settings?
MPC-HC prefers the registry for settings with an optional INI mode, plus a one click export for migrations.
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MPC-HC keeps the old religion: settings belong in HKCU Software MPC-HC, fast and invisible. The player reads them on launch and writes on close, which surprises editors expecting files.
INI mode exists for portable use, splitting history into a companion file when the program folder refuses writes. Either way the sanctioned migration path is the Export button, not manual copying. That single file carries every option without registry spelunking.
Where MPC-HC stores this, by platform
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\MPC-HC
Day to day settings without INI mode. Use Options, Miscellaneous, Export for migrations instead of copying keys by hand.
%APPDATA%\MPC-HC\mpc-hc64.ini
Active only with INI storage enabled in options. History splits into a companion file here when the program folder is not writable.
Frequently asked questions
How do I migrate settings?
Open Options, Miscellaneous, and press Export. That writes the full settings to a file you import on the new machine. Registry copies by hand work too but the button skips the translation errors.
How do I run it portably?
Enable INI storage in options for a file beside the exe or in AppData. History splits into its own file in this mode. Registry remains the default for speed, so portable users must opt in explicitly.
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