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 9.3MB 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 3.5.136 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:
1.9 starsout of 24 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Dishonesty in concealing adware"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
Oh gee the program is fine I reckon; haven't tried the latest version.
Cons
Now they are lying to you when you go through the installation process, with these LONNNNNG contracts you have to accept to be able to use the software, SURPRISE, on the 15th page you will find that it is not essential, that all this verbiage is to conceal adware. When reviews pointing out the abuse accumulate, then they publish a "new version". HAH!
Summary
Ladies and gentlemen, this is my last CNET download. CNET could get a grip on these abuses but they don't. AND if a software publisher is going to be that deceptive, I am not ready to trust the software and effects it will have on my computer.
quick note: When I say I haven't tried the latest version, I mean I downloaded and installed current version, but have not test driven it. I'm TOO ANGRY at losing TWO HOURS to REPAIR MY COMPUTER!!!
Updated on May 22, 2013 -
"Works great. Ad-ware only if you don't pay attention!"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
Works perfectly. Extremely simply with no unnecessary bloat. Lets you download videos directly to the format of you choice, including HD MP4. Ignore all the claims that "it has malware." It had no malware. It WILL install ADware, but ONLY IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION DURING THE INSTALL. If you're a reasonably intelligent person and READ the things that you are about to AGREE TO (as you ALWAYS should), instead of just clicking "next next next," it will install clean. Just pay attention. Uncheck the check boxes, and if there's a "next" on the right side and a "decline" on the left, click "decline" and it will move on cleanly. It's really not that hard.
Cons
You'll get adware if you're too lazy to read what you're agreeing to.
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"v.4.0 doesn't work"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
I've used YTD for years. When it works, it's GREAT! But v.4.0 doesn't work. WinXP sp2. 5/13/13
Cons
The worst? You can't uninstall and reinstall an older version. WHY??? Evidently YTD knows more about my preferences than I do. Especially since it doesn't work, this bug is just plain unacceptable.
Summary
I will avoid upgrading on my other computers and hope that YTD contacts me when they fix it. But I won't hold my breath. It's free after all.
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"Update to 3.5.136 is a FRAUD..."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
The Old version 3.5.124 worked GREAT... but no PROS for the update... it's a trick to get you to sign up for other stuff... and that other stuff contains MALWARE... so NO PROS... NO PROS... NO PROS...
Cons
This is a fraud... there is NO UPDATE 3.5.136... this is a trick to get you to download other stuff that contains MALWARE... DO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS...
Summary
The trick is, they have fixed the old version 3.5.124 to stop working properly and refer you to download the update version 3.5.136... THERE IS NO UPDATE OF 3.5.136... THIS IS A LIE... The download contains junk you do not want. They are trying to get you to download extra stuff (not Free YouTube Downloader).. and this extra stuff contains MALWARE... This is so sad, CNET should do something about this. I trusted CNET - they have always proved to be trustworthy, until now! I'm just at a loss of words over this. Good luck in finding a good FREE YOUTUBE DOWNLOADER... The one's I have found, all have a gimmicks and fees.... NO FREE STUFF.....
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"MALWARE DETECTED"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
none at all!
Cons
this program contains a MALWARE which is very hard to uninstall... I cannot believe cnet fooled me on this one. I am very disappointed and will see which legal steps I can take towards this situation
Summary
DO NOT DOWNLOAD!
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"It doesn't work at all now"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
It starts off free but you have to buy it to download more than one an hour.
Cons
It never installed properly, you have to reinstall each time you use it, then update the install, now it just doesn't work.
Summary
Crap
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"Free? oh please..."
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
Free yes. But all "free" down loaders, comes with FREE VIRUS.
Cons
Used this before, then after running SpyBot, and removing various spyware and malware, this Youtube downloader stopped working.. but at that time I had no idea why.. so I downloaded a fresh YouTubeMusicDownloader. I was very careful at install and un-clicked the extra ad-ware etc buttons, and installed it. Next thing the AVG antivirus spotted amalware item.. bang, still installed itself and added toolbars, changed registry files and more crap that I don't even know what.. so now I don't trust this anymore. will have to find something better than that.. thumbs down for greedy malware spreaders.
Summary
I prefer to pay a few bucks and have peace of mind. Try other solutions like MelodyQuest or VideoZonk.
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"Good program"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
Easy to use, does a good job
Cons
None I have found
Summary
I have been using this program for some time, in past versions. It does what I need it to do. I have been pleased with the results I get.
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"You Tube Downloader"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
It works as stated
Cons
I can't think of any
Summary
I've download three U Tube videos without a hitch.
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"There's better.....keep looking"
Version: Free YouTube Downloader 3.5.136
Pros
super simple UI
Cons
one at a time = painful. have to keep opening a new window to download more than 1.
Summary
if you seldomly download, then fine.
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