Free, beginner-friendly video editor for quick, simple projects with stabilization, hardware acceleration, and basic effects
Free, beginner-friendly video editor for quick, simple projects with stabilization, hardware acceleration, and basic effects
Vote (20,404 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Microsoft
Version 16.4.3528.331
Works under Windows
Vote
(20,404 votes)
Developer
Microsoft
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
16.4.3528.331
Pros
- The best solution for simple video editing.
- Movie Maker is 100% free for download on Windows PCs.
- Video stabilization and hardware acceleration features.
Cons
- Movie Maker lacks advanced editing features.
- In fact, Movie Maker is terrible for anything but simple editing needs.
- User interface is somewhat boring and uninspired.
Windows Movie Maker 2012 is a simple video editing suite offered by Microsoft. Most versions of Windows include the software by default. However, a user can download Movie Maker separately within a few minutes. The program is designed for basic video editing projects and nothing more. Users tend to love the software because it's so simple and straightforward. For a beginner, or for small projects, no other program works better than Microsoft's solution. Best of all, it's a free program for Windows devices.
Simplicity and Speed Are The Keys To Success Here
Before getting started, potential users should know what to expect with this program. Windows Movie Maker isn't designed for professional video editing or even for advanced video editing. The program targets basic projects that require simple editing as well as fast rendering. In that vein, students and amateur editors will love what the program has to offer, although it should be considered a starter program at best.
When a user launches Movie Maker, they're presented with a blank project area. They can import video files or start creating a project from scratch. In Movie Maker, users can work through various tabs in order to access the functions they need. Transitions, effects, and other editing tools are found within these navigation tabs. Everything is laid out in an intuitive and easy to remember manner within the program.
Imported videos benefit from integrated video stabilization through Movie Maker. Likewise, hardware acceleration makes video rendering easier than ever before. High quality codecs are utilized to ensure the smoothest video and audio possible. All of these extra features make Movie Maker an incredible piece of software compared to other basic video editing suites available on the market today.
The Major, Obvious Downside To Movie Maker
Microsoft created Movie Maker with beginning editors in mind. The program isn't designed for the professional video editor. Therefore, advanced editing features are nonexistent in Movie Maker. Users won't find detailed editing tools, and they're not going to encounter professional-grade projects in Movie Maker. As a free program, nobody should expect the program to cater to the advanced editing crowd anyways.
Movie Maker Is Still A Valuable Tool
Despite its inherent shortcomings, Movie Maker is a smart download for anyone that edits video from time to time. Not all projects call for a big, complicated video editing suite after all. Movie Maker is the perfect solution for small, uncomplicated projects, whether a beginner or expert is handling the project. Without a doubt, a newcomer to video editing should start with Movie Maker for their first few projects before jumping into a more advanced program for more in-depth video editing.
Pros
- The best solution for simple video editing.
- Movie Maker is 100% free for download on Windows PCs.
- Video stabilization and hardware acceleration features.
Cons
- Movie Maker lacks advanced editing features.
- In fact, Movie Maker is terrible for anything but simple editing needs.
- User interface is somewhat boring and uninspired.
Pros
- Affordable option for Windows users
- Allows for customized DVD layouts and other features
- Works with many music sites to add music to videos
- Encodes and exports files quickly
- Lets users share finished videos via popular social networking sites
Cons
- Doesn't support all video and audio file formats
- Still takes some time to burn a copy
- Basic enough that advanced editors will want something with more features
If you always wanted to make your own movies or share your home videos with others, Windows Movie Maker can help you get the job done.
Windows Movie Maker is a free video editing software package that works with most computers that use a Windows operating system. Though it comes standard on some versions of Windows, you can also download the program separately to use it on your new or old computer. It lets you create completely customized videos that you can burn and share on a DVD.
This is one of the only pieces of software that gives users the freedom to design and create the layout for the finished disc. With other programs, you can only create a basic video or movie and burn it to a disc. When you put that disc in a player, it will automatically play with video. Windows Movie Maker actually lets you create an opening menu that includes its own short video clip. You can also add several videos to that disc and create an opening menu that lets watchers select the video they want to watch.
Though it does work with many formats, it does not support all formats. You'll also notice that it now limits the size of the videos you can work with and use. This is a step that Microsoft took to cut down on copyright infringement and to keep users from illegally ripping or changing major films.
Windows Movie Maker comes with plenty of tools that you can use for making your own shorter or longer films. Drag different clips into your timeline to put all clips into one video, change the lighting in the background of certain videos and adjust the noise level to make the clips flow together better.
Its hardware acceleration feature now lets you edit your work even faster. This feature increases the speed at which the program encodes the videos that you choose and the speed at which it exports those videos too. This significantly cuts down on the amount of time it takes to save your work and to burn the finished product to a disc.
The program also makes it easy to add sound to your videos. With the program up and running, you can actually look for music from several free and paid music sites. Once you select the music you want, Windows Movie Maker will automatically change the format of that clip and show you a visual timeline that lets you see exactly where the song goes in your video. You can change when the music starts, when it ends and even how loudly it plays. For basic video editing and creation, few programs can beat Windows Movie Maker.
Pros
- Affordable option for Windows users
- Allows for customized DVD layouts and other features
- Works with many music sites to add music to videos
- Encodes and exports files quickly
- Lets users share finished videos via popular social networking sites
Cons
- Doesn't support all video and audio file formats
- Still takes some time to burn a copy
- Basic enough that advanced editors will want something with more features
