Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET Editors' note: The "Download Now" link will download Windows Live Essentials. An installation window lets you choose to install Windows Live Movie Maker and any other Windows Live applications. To install Movie Maker only, deselect the other boxes.
CNET Editors' review
Functional freeware that's aimed squarely at the casual consumer crowd, Microsoft's Windows Live Movie Maker easily turns photos and video clips into slideshows and movies on Vista and Windows 7. However, its toolset and interface lack a certain sophistication that users of all levels would appreciate. The app comes bundled into the bulky Windows Live Essentials suite of apps; to separate it out, you'll need to uncheck the other boxes before installing.
Like Microsoft Office 2007 apps, Windows Live Movie Maker tucks its actions and menus into a visual ribbon. You'll get started dragging and dropping video clips and photos into the storyboard. You could finish a minute later with a click of the AutoMovie button, which populates the movie with a title, transitions, and pan and zoom effects. It'll also prompt you to add a song from the hard drive. Automating movies is handy, especially for time-restricted users. After all, you can always tweak later with the help of the menu tabs.
The intermediate photo-, audio-, and video-editing features are sparse--you can split and trim videos, fade songs in and out, and pick a start and end point for audio and video. The publishing and sharing options are better thought out. Windows Live Movie Maker can e-mail a finished video, burn it to DVD, or upload it to YouTube or Facebook (with a plug-in). Videos also save in HD format for your TV (standard or wide screen), and can convert to a mobile-phone-friendly format.
All in all, Windows Live Movie Maker is decent freeware that lives up to its promise of making movies fast. You won't find many advanced tools, but more ambitious types can still create interesting videos and slideshows.
Publisher's Description
From Microsoft:
Windows Live Movie Maker is the one-minute way to turn photos and videos into great-looking movies that are easy to share -- for free. Windows Live Movie Maker is a new offering that allows you to easily turn photos and videos into great-looking movies to share with family and friends across a TV, PC or mobile device using the most popular camera types and file formats on the market today.
Supported image and video files include: Windows Media Video (WMV), Windows Media, DV-AVI, Microsoft Recorded TV Show, 3GP, 3GPP, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, Motion JPEG, JPEG, TIFF, GIF, Bitmap, PNG. Windows 7 users can also view QuickTime MOV and QT files, AVCHD, and MPEG-4 video formats.
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All versions:
2.3 starsout of 108 votes
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Current version:
2.2 starsout of 79 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Make DVD's if you want very little control"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
It is easy
Made for idiots
Gives nice animated DVD menu'sCons
It is extremely limited
- DVD name on menu cannot be longer than 32 characters
- No means to adjust chapter splits
- The animated menus's is all you get - no more availableSummary
I used this software twice and got annoyed both times.
Do NOT expect Microsoft to develop this software further.
Do NOT expect to have control over your DVD chapters.
Do NOT expect to find more animated menu's
Do NOT expect to create a menu Title longer than 32 characters
Do expect to be spoon fed when creating your DVD.
Do expect to be told how your DVD will be split in chapters.
Half baked software that is free, but should rather be removed from the Microsoft software list. The black sheep of the family that gets no attention but when needed, is peddled as good. Do NOT bother installing.
Recommendation: DVDStyler. Unfortunately no animated menu's, but it works and allows various custom settings ranging from DVD background, placement of buttons, splitting of chapters. -
"Even a Caveman can do it. Love Windows products."
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Easy DOWNLOAD link on CNET. Easy for me to use to paste 5 clips together. Then, upload them from Movie Maker straight to YOUTUBE. I shot the clips with my Panasonic ZS19. Put the SD card in my computers slot, fed them into document videos. Opened Windows Movie Maker, clicked (add videos), selected each clip in turn, and wait 10 minutes for them to be added to the project.Video quality is 100% what was recorded. I don't really know anything more about it, except that I do like Windows products and use windows Live.com email svc. I have two other video editing programs loaded on my computer and I couldn't even begin to start a project with either of them. Windows Movie maker does it for me.
Cons
I don't have a negative story about it crashing all the time. Why didn't I try it before, because it has been loaded on my computer for three years and I didn't even know it.
Summary
Wow, I actually compiled a video out of 5 short clips. I'm stunned that I David bla bla was able to do that. Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!
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"Crash and Burn!"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Didn't see any real pros to this.
Cons
Crashes constantly
Not responding
takes forever to download and shareSummary
This program is not very user-friendly for me. I constantly wait 1 hour to transfer a small album (20 pics) to facebook. Don't even think about trying to upload a video! That also takes an hour or longer. Don't even get me started on trying to edit a video!! Maximum time was 6 hours, and the program STILL doesn't work! Using OS windows 7. Don't waste your time: program is DOWN more than UP! Kodak Easyshare; where are you?
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"My rule for using Windows Live Movie Maker"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Easy to use if one follows my rules below.
Cons
Crashes/Not Responding way too much.
Summary
Rules for using: 1.Decide on PERMANENT location for photos and videos you are making on your computer or back-up drive (Movie Maker won't be able to find them if you move them after creating movie, 2. create your movie in this order: add photos/video, use Magic now (if you plan to), add captions, titles, etc. and finally add music. Not doing in this order means you will constantly have to fix things moved by Movie Maker when you do the next step. Lastly, SAVE your work constantly as software has tendency to "Not Responding"/crash in middle of working, seemingly always at the worst possible time.
Also wish I could set the font when working on a project to what I want, instead of having to correct it on every panel!
Updated on Mar 23, 2013 -
"Simple but fun!"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
The best regular video making tools I've ever use. Now it adds font line, mp4 format saving feature, and also audio graphs in 2012 version. :D
Cons
It's good and easier to install when offline if it is 2011 version, updating or installing this app in new version (2012) needs an internet connection. :(
Summary
It also compatible to all windows, I suggest you can get this software if you do. But I recommended you should get other best video editing tools for better, greater experience to be a movie maker, and more understanding. :)
I suggest Microsoft should sort some options in this software, like just move the video and audio timing to below while video preview is above, like Vista version Windows Movie Maker. :) -
"would not work with mp4"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
well it was free
Cons
wouldn't work with my mp4.
Summary
crap waste of time
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"Not Very good.Aspect ratio is still there!"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Still crashes
Cons
still crashes =/
Summary
well im not giving a great rate!
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"HORRIBLE to use as CRASHES every time."
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Nice options for modifying your video
Cons
Crashes nearly every time! you simply can't work on this!
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"better than reviewed, give it a chance"
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
accepts .mp4 files, easier to manage lots of clips
Cons
no scrolling banners, no graphics
Summary
Coming from Vista MM, at first it seems hard to get things synched. But after 30 minutes I liked it better. Just open your clips and you've a base timeline to work on. The new storyboard timeless works better than the old timeline at the bottom. And I save all the time I used to spend zooming in and out.
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"OK for casuals; headache and frustration otherwise."
Version: Windows Live Movie Maker 2011
Pros
Intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Easy to import videos and music. Ribbon toolbar is easy to navigate and functions are easily located. Standard menu layout with other Office applications makes it easy to access and won't freak out first-time video editors.
Nice variety of animation and transition effects, and easy to edit text and title cards. Auto-movie options are also fairly good.
Simple interface makes it easy for beginners to put together short, quick videos. Sequencing and splicing videos is straightforward.Cons
Lack of more advanced editing options (both for audio and visual), such as picture-in-picture.
Timeline interface is ambiguous and difficult to use for precise editing.
Importing videos can take an unreasonably long amount of time. The program struggles to play back work in progress, stalling every few minutes and making editing very difficult and tedious due to poor optimisation.
Worst problem is constant "corrupted file" glitches. Compatible videos are rendered as corrupt or incompatible file formats for no apparent reason. Editing imported clips can suddenly and randomly "corrupt" other clips, preventing the project from being completed.Summary
As part of the Windows Live package, WLMM is a nice tool to have. It is very easy to pick up and learn to use, and is very suitable for quick projects.
I've used WLMM to create piano videos, archery videos, game commentaries and Let's Plays. It functions well, for the most part, as long as you don't tinker too much with the source material. Nine times out of ten, you can put together a continuous sequence of videos or photos, slap on background music and export the media file without a hitch.
Once you start splitting videos or putting together multiple clips, WLMM begins choking. Imported clips become corrupt, preventing you from completing the project. At times I've had to do a straight format switch between AVI, WMV and MP4 just to get it to import to WLMM. The worst bit is when you spend hours importing and editing, and then a previous clip decides to show the yellow warning sign. Once that happened, I gave up and pulled out the credit card.
If all you intend to do is put together a short slideshow or video, WLMM gets the job done without requiring too much knowledge on video editing software. However, the more content you work with, the more unstable the program becomes, making anything slightly more complex a test in patience and frustration.
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