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Windows Movie Maker is a video editing software developed by Microsoft. This software was one of the most popular video editing software in Windows OS. But, since the support for Windows Essentials ended in 2012, Movie Maker has become unavailable to download on the official Microsoft website. Thus, for those who have installed Windows 8 on their computers, obtaining the Movie Maker software could’ve become fairly difficult. In this blog, we will look at the methods to download Windows Movie Maker for Windows 8 and learn some helpful tips and tricks.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Download Movie Maker for Windows 8?
Making videos is a popular hobby or profession, with an increasing number of people editing videos than ever. However, editing software capable of producing quality output, are often expensive or complex to use. Windows Movie Maker solves these problems as one of the most popular and user-friendly video editing software available for free. Hence, we need to download Windows Movie Maker to efficiently edit videos.
Method 1: Using Windows Essentials
- Go to the Microsoft website via this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/download/details.aspx?id=39758. This website can also be accessed through Google or any other search engine.
- Click Download Now and select the file “ wlsetup-web.exe”. The file size is around 1.2MB. Click on it to start the download process.
- After the download is complete, click on the setup file. The User Account Control (UAC) window may open, click Yes to proceed.
- On the installation wizard, select the Customize option. Then, pick the Photo Gallery and Movie Maker option, deselect every other software option. This is because we are only interested in downloading Movie Maker only. Click Install.
- It may take a few minutes to download and install the software on your computer. After this, open the software and start editing videos.
Pros:
- Quick and easy installation by using the Microsoft website.
- Covers the features of movie maker and other useful software all in one file.
- Completely free to download and use
Cons:
- Windows Essentials is not updated and supported anymore.
- If the OS has essential software already installed, you may have to disable it to prevent software conflicts.
- Needs to deselect other software options before downloading and installing Movie Maker.
Method 2: Through Archive.org
- Go to archive.org by accessing the website through any search engine like Google.
- Enter the URL “https://archive.org/details/wlsetup-all_201802” in the search bar and wait for the results.
- Click on the first link in the result list (wlsetup-all_201802). Doing this directs you to a list of executable files for Windows Essentials.
- Click on the “en-us” folder and then on “wlsetup-all.exe” to download the entire suite. Additionally, if you only want Movie Maker, download the “en-us\moviemaker_201801.exe” file instead.
- After downloading the appropriate file, open it and follow the installation steps. After the installation is complete, open Windows Movie Maker and start editing.
Pros:
- Simple download process from a reliable website.
- Movie Maker can be downloaded directly without extra customization.
- Easy to follow the installation process.
Cons:
- Archive.org can be subject to instability when loading pages or downloading.
- Downloading an entire suite may eat up available disk space.
- Older versions tend to run slower and may have compatibility issues.
Method 3: Manual Download
- Search for Movie Maker on the internet using any search engine.
- Visit the file hosting websites “FileHippo” or “TechSpot.”
- Click the Download button for Movie Maker and download the file.
- Locate the downloaded file on the computer and open it.
- During the installation process, customize the component and deselect other software.
- After the installation is complete, open Movie Maker and start editing videos.
Pros:
- Can select which component to download along with Movie Maker.
- Allows you to get older versions of Movie Maker, which might be better suited for the type of editing you want to do.
- No need to download the entire suite if not needed, which reduces storage space needed.
Cons:
- The download process can be complicated and time-consuming.
- Downloading from file-hosting websites can sometimes be risky, as the file could contain malware or viruses.
- Performance issues may occur if system requirements are not met.
Method 4: Using VSDC Video Editor
- Search online for VSDC video editor, or download it directly at this URL: https://www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor/download.
- Install the software after downloading it. This usually includes choosing a language and agreeing to the terms and conditions provided.
- Start the software after installation and add a video to it.
- Start editing the video, just as you would in Windows Movie Maker
- Save the edited video and export it to your file of choice.
Pros:
- Able to edit more advanced videos with better results than using Windows Movie Maker.
- Available on a range of operating systems.
- More comprehensive help guides, including online step-by-step tutorials on YouTube.
Cons:
- Not as intuitive or user-friendly as Windows Movie Maker, which could be a disadvantage to novice users.
- The free version may come with limited features, making it less effective in editing videos compared to Windows Movie Maker.
- Only offers three export formats in the free version.
What to Do If You Can’t Download Movie Maker for Windows 8
If you are unable to download Windows Movie Maker using the methods mentioned above, you could try to use an online editor. Some of the top online editors are WeVideo and Clipchamp. Although these options may not be as comprehensive as the original Windows Movie Maker, they offer similar services and can be utilized to make short edits more manageable. Additionally, there are also other video editing apps such as VivaVideo, OpenShot, or Shotcut. Users can use these as a backup software option to create videos when Windows Movie Maker is not readily accessible.
Bonus Tips
- Use keyboard shortcuts while editing videos to save time.
- Always save your files before starting the editing process.
- Utilize “splitting” as a video editing tool, which can be done by selecting the section of the video that needs to be joined or moved, then clicking the square button on the right-hand side of the editing menu bar.
5 FAQs
Q1: Is there a fee to download Movie Maker?
A: No, Windows Movie Maker is free to download.
Q2: Is Movie Maker still available?
A: While no longer supported or updated, Movie Maker can still be downloaded for use in Windows 8.
Q3: Can I download Movie Maker on a Mac Computer?
A: No, Movie Maker is exclusive to computers running the Windows operating system.
Q4: Is VSDC video editor also available for MAC?
A: No, VSDC Video Editor is only compatible with Windows operating systems.
Q5: How do I save edited videos using Movie Maker?
A: The edited videos could be saved by going to the “File” menu in Movie Maker and clicking “Save Movie.” A dialog box will appear on your desktop allowing you to save your edited video as a WMV file.
Final Thoughts
Windows Movie Maker is an invaluable resource for people of all skill levels who want to edit videos or create stunning visuals. There was some speculation that the software program would become unavailable in Windows 8. However, users who want to use this software can do so through the various methods listed above. Make sure to choose a method that suits your expertise level and is applicable to your OS. With its usability and capabilities, Windows Movie Maker continues to provide a platform for creative individuals to bring their ideas into the digital space.