Custom keyboard shortcuts in MPC-HC64 let you assign any key or key combination to any playback function

MPC-HC64 (Media Player Classic — Home Cinema, 64-bit version) stores all its keyboard commands in a plain text file you can edit directly. You do not need to use the menu system. Open the configuration file, add a line with your chosen key and the command ID, save it, and restart the player. The shortcut works when ready.

This matters because the default shortcuts may not match your workflow. If you want to jump forward 30 seconds with a single key instead of holding Shift and pressing the right arrow, or if you want to toggle subtitles with a key you can reach without looking, you can set that up in under five minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • MPC-HC64 stores keyboard commands in a text file called mpc-hc64.ini located in the AppData folder, which you can edit with Notepad.
  • Each custom command needs three pieces: the key name (like VK_F13), the modifier keys if any (Ctrl, Shift, Alt), and the command ID number from MPC-HC's built-in command list.
  • You must restart MPC-HC64 after editing the file for new shortcuts to take effect.
  • The command ID list is available in MPC-HC's View menu under Options, or you can reference the online documentation for the full set of available commands.

Finding and opening the MPC-HC64 configuration file

MPC-HC64 keeps its settings in a hidden folder. On Windows, press Windows key + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter. A folder window opens. Look for a folder named MPC-HC and open it. Inside, you will see a file called mpc-hc64.ini. This is the file you need to edit.

Right-click mpc-hc64.ini, choose Open with, and select Notepad. Do not use Word or any rich-text editor — Notepad is the only safe choice. The file is plain text and must stay that way.

Once the file is open in Notepad, scroll down until you find a section that starts with [Keyboard]. This is where all the keyboard commands live. If you do not see this section, scroll to the very end of the file and add it yourself as a new line: type [Keyboard] and press Enter.

Understanding the command syntax and key names

Each keyboard command in the [Keyboard] section follows the same pattern. The format is:

VK_KEYNAME=COMMANDID

VK_KEYNAME is the virtual key code for the key you want to use. Common examples are VK_F1 through VK_F24 (the function keys), VK_SPACE (spacebar), VK_RETURN (Enter), VK_DELETE, VK_INSERT, and VK_PAUSE. You can also use letter keys like VK_A, VK_B, and number keys like VK_0 through VK_9.

If you want to use a modifier key (Ctrl, Shift, or Alt), add it before the key name with a plus sign. For example, Ctrl+VK_F1 means Ctrl and F1 pressed together. You can combine multiple modifiers: Ctrl+Shift+VK_F1 works too. The order does not matter — Shift+Ctrl+VK_F1 and Ctrl+Shift+VK_F1 are the same.

COMMANDID is a number that tells MPC-HC64 what to do when you press that key. For example, command ID 28 is play/pause, 29 is stop, and 30 is frame step forward. You need to look up the command ID for the action you want.

Finding the command ID for the action you want

Open MPC-HC64 and go to View menu, then Options. In the Options window, click Player on the left side, then Keys. You will see a long list of every action MPC-HC64 can perform, and next to each one is its command ID number.

Scroll through the list and find the action you want to assign to a key. For example, if you want to jump forward 30 seconds, look for an entry like Jump Forward (short) or Seek Forward. Write down the command ID number next to it. Close the Options window when you are done.

If you cannot find the exact action you want in the Keys list, check the MPC-HC documentation online or in the Help menu. The command list is the same across all versions, so any reference you find will work for MPC-HC64.

Adding your custom command to the configuration file

Go back to Notepad with the mpc-hc64.ini file still open. Find the [Keyboard] section. At the end of the existing commands, press Enter to create a new line and type your custom command. For example, if you want Ctrl+Right Arrow to jump forward 30 seconds, and the command ID is 130, you would type:

Ctrl+VK_RIGHT=130

Press Enter after each new command. You can add as many custom commands as you want, one per line. Make sure each line follows the exact format: modifier keys (if any) plus sign, key name, equals sign, command ID. No spaces around the equals sign.

When you are finished adding all your custom commands, press Ctrl+S to save the file. Close Notepad. Do not make any other changes to the file — only add new lines in the [Keyboard] section.

Testing your new shortcuts and troubleshooting

Close MPC-HC64 completely if it is running. Wait a few seconds, then open it again. The new keyboard shortcuts should now work. Try pressing the key combination you set up and confirm that the correct action happens.

If a shortcut does not work, the most common reasons are: the command ID is wrong, the key name is misspelled, or the file was not saved properly. Open the mpc-hc64.ini file again in Notepad and double-check the line you added. Make sure there are no extra spaces, the equals sign is there, and the command ID matches what you saw in the Options menu. Save the file again and restart MPC-HC64.

If MPC-HC64 crashes or behaves strangely after you add a command, the syntax is likely incorrect. Close the player, open the mpc-hc64.ini file, and remove the line you added. Save and restart. Then try again with a simpler command or a different key.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any key on my keyboard for a custom shortcut?

Most keys work, but some are reserved by Windows or your keyboard driver. Function keys (F1–F24), number keys, letter keys, and special keys like Delete, Insert, and Pause all work reliably. Avoid keys that Windows uses globally, like Windows key itself. If a shortcut does not work, try a different key or add a modifier like Ctrl or Shift.

What happens if I assign the same key to two different commands?

The last one in the file wins. MPC-HC64 reads the configuration from top to bottom and uses the most recent definition it finds. If you accidentally create a duplicate, remove one of the lines and save the file again.

Can I undo my changes if I mess up the configuration file?

Yes. Close MPC-HC64, delete the mpc-hc64.ini file entirely, and restart the player. MPC-HC64 will create a fresh configuration file with all the default settings. You will lose any other customizations you made, but the player will work normally again.

Where can I find a complete list of all command IDs?

The easiest way is through MPC-HC64 itself: open Options, click Player, then Keys. Every command ID is listed there with its description. You can also find the full list in the MPC-HC documentation on the project's GitHub page or official website.