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 12.8MB 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 3.5.128 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 910 votes
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Current version:
2.4 starsout of 24 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Wont work?? installs a lot of junk"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
none took a lot of time and energy to get rid of it
Cons
hijacked my search engine,installed stuff i did,nt want even after unchecking the boxes during installation ????
Summary
not recomended I dont trust it
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"Spamware Ahoy!"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
It still works as advertised for Windows 7. However...
Cons
It installs spamware and alters your browser settings even if you opt-out on the installer. And you have to get rid of it in all your browsers or it tries to reinstall everywhere. I'm still not convinced it's not a virus.
Summary
Avoid at all costs. For a free application it's despicable. It doesn't have enough going for it to justify paying either. This spamware approach is unacceptable.
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"Its good enough"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
It can convert and download the video simultaneously.
The video can be converted into a wide range of formatsCons
Do not attempt to download a 720p or 1080p video because when the video is played back all you get is a pixelly mess
Summary
Its good enough....
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"East to use,fast downloads, wonderful overall tool"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
East to use,fast downloads, wonderful overall tool
Cons
none I have noticed
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"Is CNET asleep at the wheel?"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
Great software but why risk downloading it here? Since the installer is LOADED with so much spam, boatware and possible virus's - i gave it 1/2 star.
CNET has become a laughing stock - this is a great piece of software but i dare u to download it. it is LOADED with spam, bloatware, etc.....i really cant understand how CNET allows this to continue.Cons
SO MUCH BLOATWARE, SPAM and possibly virus's why would ANYONE risk it. Go directly to the publishers site to get it.
Summary
CNET continues to be totally asleep at the wheel - allowing their site to be one of the biggest distributors of spyware and virus's. shame on you cnet - u took a great site and idea and let it rot!
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"Extremely helpful"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
Everything
Cons
Nothing to say
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"Was decent but now annoying non-working"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
Lets you download youtube videos
Cons
-My current older version keeps interrupting me to install new update
-Newest version wants to install 10000+ pieces of additional software
-Tricks you by going back and forth between checked boxes
-That the developers actually stooped to this level
-I can't use my current version because they want me to "udpate" my current version which takes me through all this BS.Summary
Even if you manage to avoid all of crapware, in the end you'll still be forced to install an additional piece or two of software alongside the program.
Screw that. -
"Easy to download and install."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
Easy to download and install.
Cons
Easy to download and install.
Summary
Easy to download and install.
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"Great but tricky"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
-Easy UI
-Fast download speed
-Free
-According to some AVs it's clean.Cons
-Tricky installation which can install Malware if you are not careful or unlucky according to other users.
-Suspicious, since other users have reported viruses.Summary
You might wanna be carefully because it tricks you into installing poop. Read it very carefully!
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"Avoid it!!!"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.128
Pros
it does work
Cons
takes a long time to uninstall all the extras that you had no idea you were agreeing to install
Summary
not worth the trouble
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