Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The Download Now link will download a small installer file to your desktop. Remain online and double-click the installer to proceed with the actual download.
CNET Editors' review
We love YouTube downloaders because they make it so easy to grab and save video from YouTube's inexhaustible, ever-expanding supply. Whatever you like, if it's on video, it's probably on YouTube in one form or another. HOW's Free YouTube Downloader is one of the easiest tools for that job we've found. It not only downloads videos from YouTube but also converts them and files from your hard drive into formats you can play on your iPad, iPhone, and similar devices. It offers several quality levels, including HD quality, and plays your converted file when the job is done, if you want it to.
Convert YouTube videos to multiple formats
Ads pay the bills for freeware, and though Free YouTube Downloader contains no adware, we had to click through several screens to get to the actual program's download. It's worth the effort, though, since Free YouTube Downloader's easy settings and minimal user interface (think media player) let you quickly configure downloads and keep an eye on them in a corner of the screen while you do other things. We browsed to a YouTube page and copied and pasted its URL into Free YouTube Downloader's entry field (you can also browse to and add your own files). We selected Windows Media Video from an extensive drop-down list of Output Format options. We also selected the highest output quality, Full High Definition (1080p). We clicked Settings, too; these let us set always-on-top, a default output folder, simultaneous download and conversion, and language options. The browser-based Help file uses screenshots to make each step clear.
Once we'd made our selections, we pressed Download. Free YouTube Downloader began downloading and converting our video almost instantaneously (your connection will affect the speed) and finished by asking if we wanted to view our video. The video opened and played normally in our default media player. After that, we started downloading and saving videos we wanted to watch later. We like the way Free YouTube Downloader lets you choose a device-specific format for conversions, too. Don't forget to watch some of those videos you'll be saving with Free YouTube Downloader!
Publisher's Description
From HOW:
Would you like to watch your favorite videos from YouTube whenever and wherever you please? All this and more is possible with Free YouTube Downloader. With this download manager you can save YouTube videos in various video and audio formats. We support standard quality, high quality and even Full High Definition video.
What's new in this version: Version 3.5.126 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.7 starsout of 896 votes
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Current version:
2.6 starsout of 79 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Supreme Disappointment"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
Too fed up to get to any.
Cons
Definitely agree with those who said it installs malware. Left a mess that will take some time to clean up. STAY AWAY. My trust in CNET reviewers took a nosedive and I will be getting my software elsewhere in the future.
Summary
MALWARE - Dirty, Messy, Annoying, JUNK
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"Installs Malware"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
Works so far
Cons
When I was installing it I didn't notice, or forgot to uncheck, one box that installed something called Sweet PC fix, along wiyh Sweet IM updater. In any case Sweet PC fix, which is a supposed registry cleaner crashed my computer with a BSOD several days later. I deleted that program and several others ex.Sweet IM updater, etc. Not worth the aggravation.
Summary
Don't bother.
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"Works great"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
Easy to use
Cons
None that I can think of
Summary
It does the job, no problem.
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"Why does this not work at all?"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
There is nothing good so far about this!!
Cons
Does not install!!!
Summary
I can't even get this program to install. I've tried several times. This sucks!!!
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"The Actual Program is Very Good"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
- It works
Cons
- The "High Quality" audio option is only 128 KBPS
- The installer tries to get you to install a LOT of crummy toolbars and programsSummary
The actual program is pretty good; the thing I don't like is the installer. I read a lot of reviews on this software before I downloaded it, and most of them said that it installed a bunch of what people were calling "extra programs" or "malware" or "viruses" or whatever without stating that they were going to do so. Well all those people need to seriously slow down a little. All you have to do is clear a few checkboxes and click a few skip/cancel buttons and you've basically just told the installer you don't want those programs installed. There's no need to fly through the installer clicking 'NEXTNEXTNEXTNEXTNEXT' like there's no tomorrow. My God, people. Anyway, I still don't like that the installer bundles all those 'extras' with it. It's just ridiculous. Anyway, I probably would've given this program 4.5 or maybe 5 stars if it weren't for that.
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"WARNING - installs malware"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
No pros found.
Cons
Bundled with malware, for example Vid-Saver. The least bit worrying about Vid-Saver is that it does not work.
Far more worrying is that it tries to access a large number of other unrelated applications if you try to *uninstall* it. I noticed this by setting ZoneAlarm at the highest security level for Public Zone, and then watch the uninstall operate.
System Restore now needed. -
"Cnet virus"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
It actually works after your done getting rid of all the virus that cnet installs.
Cons
Tons of virus come with this product. I'm calling it a virus because it installs things even when you click no and then digs itself into your other software and has ad cookies and tracking software in the toolbar.
Summary
Get another youtube downloader from a more reputable site that doesn't incorporate bull crap installs to every bit of software.
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"How to remove junk installed with this program"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
Downloader works
Cons
Installs a load of junk too
Summary
(Windows XP)
Go to Start Button and click Run and type msconfig, then press enter
(Windows Vista/7)
Go to Start button and type msconfig into box at the bottom, then press enter.
Click on Startup tab, then untick the boxes next to all the junk software (In my case it was SweetIM and Sweet updater)
Click OK and restart your PC
Once restarted go to Start --> Control Panel and choose 'Programs and Features.' You should now be able to uninstall the unwanted junk. There may be toolbars or extentions in your web browser (Internet Explorer, Chrome etc.) that you can disable - do a web search to find out how if you don't know.
The actual youtube downloader does work for me so I've kept it. -
"free you tube downloader,,dont touch it"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
it installs loads of crap i still cant get rid of all the stuff.
i will not download anything from cnet again.Cons
the cons are the program isnot there,but a lot of other stuff is and you cant deliet it,ive been trying for an hour or so ;BUT THEY ARE STILL THERE.LOTS OF SEARCH BARS ECT ECT ECT
Summary
WHAT MORE CAN I SAY
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"CNET lost is credibility. Forever."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.126
Pros
You become aware of a latest software scam, supported by CNET.
Cons
Doesn't function.
Installs a bunch of things you may not like.Summary
Don't install. CNET editor's rating is utterly misleading.
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