Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP)

CNET Editors' review

Windows Movie Maker 2 is so easy a child could use it--an incredibly patient child born to filmmaker parents who didn't mind restarting this application every few minutes. From the get-go, you get the feeling that this isn't going to be an easy program to like; Microsoft's installer doesn't play nice. It gives the user no input on program location or other options. The plain interface promises simplicity with drag-and-drop storyboard options, though during testing, it was more like drag and freeze. The program typically froze while importing MPG video files. If importing worked, Movie Maker 2 would quit responding when clips were placed on the storyboard. On the rare occasion that our testers made it to the storyboard, the program would freeze when adding one of the numerous effects. There were so many hurdles to creating a short video that no editing seemed preferable to using this software. What's more, uninstalling the program was even more tedious than installing it. It should be no surprise, then, that we can't recommend this freeware for any user.

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.1 stars

    out of 783 votes

    • 5 star: 237
    • 4 star: 142
    • 3 star: 102
    • 2 star: 76
    • 1 star: 226
  • Current version:

    2.5 stars

    out of 122 votes

    • 5 star: 15
    • 4 star: 24
    • 3 star: 17
    • 2 star: 23
    • 1 star: 43
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 122

  • 4.0 stars

    "Pretty good"

    October 27, 2012  |   By PHtrisyia236

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    - Easy to use
    - Preview screen doesn't lag
    - Quick learning curve

    Cons

    - Crashes several times
    - Too simple effects/transitions

    Summary

    It's not bad for beginners as it has a quick learning curve but if you're like me and you have been using it for several years, it can actually be very good, provided that you download extra effects and that you know the software pretty well.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "It okay for Move not Long 2.5 Hours on Noth dvd sizes"

    August 6, 2012  |   By hypsterjc

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    It Works on Most dvd Plays.
    if you make an dvd.
    Its easy.
    But Kind of Diffult , Compare to some othe Programs
    Due to It Out date of Win 7 ( this is still the Only one)
    in less Windows Live Movie Maker which only allows 1.5 Hours on on both size/ 4.37 (4.7 GBS) DVD+R / DVD-r (Single Layer) DVD+R;DL 7.95 gb (8.5 gb)

    Cons

    The anothe4 Other Burner Brogrmas out their
    The only Sale Like But Nome 10 Different Brnads
    In Major Store.
    Corel , Nero , Sony , Roxio. Cyber Link , Pinnace. Ion (which seem Like an Knock out to Pinnacle stuff for $10 lesss just Came out.
    But Pinnacle Been Around over 12 Years.
    There More 50k Othe software Programs that online on.. I have see that There Should Put in The in Major Retalies It try over 25 to 50+ them. The see Way Better than out their Major Software/ Prog. Retaliers. ( thr Only Softwsre Related ones Probaly with Give almost 4 Hours on DVD (sL) 4.7gb)(8.5 GB DVD+R DL close 7.25 hours but those in the Store 2.75 to 3.35 hours DVD SL or DVD+R 4.5 hrs it hard to 6hours (on all theose Progs) More tiem use need
    It take almsot nay 3 to 12 Hours Just Rendar DV in Burning , Than No mor 20 Make to The Video datd on the Dsic.

    But here my Vv

    Summary

    He what I hate AQbout all PC THAT HAVE IN PAST
    #1 Don't Knock put the Graphic Card aTTACH TO mOTHER bOARD.
    AND mAJOR rETALIS AND pc/mAC MAKERS dON'T THE
    gRAPHIC cARD THE THIS THE yOU bUY AN sOFTARE / gAMES / ETC.
    tHATS yOU hAVE mINIMIMUM rEQ. ACTUALLY MOST GRAPHICS CARD THE GIVE YOU yOU hAVE TO RUN ON rESOULTIONS bASE ON xp 800&600 OR 1024*768 OR 1280*720 OR LOWER (SINCE mE TO WIN 7)
    yOUSE sHOULD DO THIS iN eVERY pc/ mAC EVERYWHER i SICK OF IT.
    uP wHATS WITH hOME sHOPPING tv cHANNELS THAT gIVE 10 TIMES BETTER dELAS THAN bESTBUY OR Walmart or etc.
    #2 MS Office Sut stop Put the Program by an Keycode than Type in online Than download off line. sicne 2007

    #3 If You Programs on so huge/ Movie these days if even Blu-rays Almost 50 GBS
    Have you look an away to Make in Flash Media , But Not Eraseable style Flash Media Drives t I seen up 64 giga bytes at stores.
    If just Word, Excel, Prower Pint , Access , etc. ( Just Put on Muiltple Dvd discs. I some able to uninstall 2008 Version of Ms office on Win 7 and Put MS office 2002-03 Edition On Win 7, it 95 % compaitable i only see very little but mangable errors that see most fancey style Underline formats screw up, aND sAVE EXT FILE FORMAT. And stop Changing Menu so radicially I only know version up unitl 2004-05.
    mAKE mE WANT GO TO cLASSS TO lEARN mS OFFICE AGAIN bUT. i DON'T HAVE mONEY FOR COLLEGE AT ALL. BECUASE OF us GOVERMENT HAS NOT mAY wELFARE SEEM IT LESS STILL BASE OF wAGES FOR pEOPLE BACK BEFOR 1979 OR EARLY. mINIUM ISA ONLY 7.00 ( GAS IS OVER 3.50 + ) TO ME THE mINIUM wAGE SHOULD ALMSOT bE $9.25, AND THE dECTIOUNS SHOULD NOT BE ANYTHONG BELPOW NO MORE THAN 35 % COMBINE TOTAL FOR TAX STATE, FEDRAL , SOCIAL SERCUITY, AND RETERIMET FOR Anybody.
    And t6he Stupid Govermenbt of US. When kept say their Is An Middle Class income . and or one belwo that .
    Whole Goverment Been Bashing the Middle clas for so over 35 years that seem their is No Middle class encomey. For My View the is only 2 class econmy The Rich & Millionaries, Poor ( that includes the Middle class in that)
    And including the Only Drop Memus in It for Free not Rxtra. Change
    And For Virus Scanner/ Spyware scanner etc.
    Make that be availbe for 5 years.
    And any store that does 2 yr buy out your old PC/ Mac machinge
    I Make self Have Replace Computer not More evrey 5 to 8 Years.
    The Buy option should least 6 Years.

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Doesn't touch MP4"

    June 27, 2012  |  

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    Easy to figure out (short learning curve)
    Easy to use
    Project export simple
    Scrolling credit screen

    Cons

    Doesn't edit standard industry (consumer electronics) codecs, like MP4 or MOV (amongst others). Basically you can use a WMV, MPG, MP2 or AVI clip or you can suck it.
    Adding a title screen or subtitles is frustrating if you have a certain idea in mind.
    No options to add the more widely used codecs.

    Summary

    I wouldn't recommend this program unless you are actually capturing the video with movie maker. Any other program or hardware will give you the wrong codec therefor making it impossible to edit the clip. And I do NOT recommend downloading codecs. Leave that can of worms alone.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Good Not Great"

    June 17, 2012  |   By Jerjbuk

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    * Very Simple If You Enjoy Simple
    * Very Easy To Save
    * Lots Of Effects And Title Options

    Cons

    * Very Simple Not Advanced At All
    * No Audio Editor
    * Does Not Support HD (720p - 1080p)

    Summary

    Good If You Like Simple Bad If You Like Advanced And HD Formats:)

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Architecture & Conferances"

    April 25, 2012  |   By uiaegypt

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    Architecture & Conferances

    Cons

    Architecture & Conferances

    Summary

    Architecture & Conferances

    Updated on Apr 25, 2012

    Architecture & Conferances

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  • 5.0 stars

    "interesting"

    April 24, 2012  |   By kassemore

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    very good in making video , try with move image

    Cons

    i had an error in saving project

    Summary

    i love Microsoft products , this one is very forgotten i never seen any body talk about it

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Very OLD software & not HD compatible"

    March 13, 2012  |   By EliteTorrents7

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    -good for amateurs
    -kinda simple of a video editing software

    Cons

    -You can't change the resolution to HD
    -Can't directly post it to youtube
    -very slow and crashes frequently
    -waste of space
    -VERY old-looking

    Summary

    this video editing software is only good for amateurs that don't know how to edit a video/movie or for little kids around 7-12.
    If your one of those "call of duty montage maker" people I WOULD NOT Download this piece of sh*t compared to Sony Vegas pro or Adobe After Effects

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  • 1.0 stars

    "I pity any innocent user who tries to actually use this"

    February 1, 2012  |   By maninthemoon101010

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    Can be found on all WIndows PCs.. but then, that's like saying fleas can be found on all dogs

    Cons

    Freezes and crashes, lock up the UI while it goes away and has a think.
    Can't play clips backwards (mind you, it can hardly play them forwards!)
    Doesn't seem to accept video formats from ANY camera or phone in my household

    Summary

    I'm guessing some marketing VP at MS heard that Macs come with a video editor and said 'we'd better have one of those'. Pity they didn't do a bit of quality control on it.

    Ghastly frustrating program that wasted 3 hours of my life.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Worst Program"

    January 23, 2012  |   By boarder4710

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    -Free
    -NONE

    Cons

    -EVERYTHING ELSE

    This program is absolutely worthless. After it failing to provide any actual value to making a movie it decided to freeze. Windows fail.

    Summary

    DO NOT USE THIS GOD AWFUL PROGRAM.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Amateurs should use it."

    January 13, 2012  |   By meggn

    Version: Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) 2.1

    Pros

    Easy to use for people like me who just put some pictures with a song or simple song covers.

    Cons

    Anyone trying to do more advanced than the aforementioned should NOT use this. It's much to simple for what you want to do. You can't overlay or anything more complicated than putting some pictures up with a song or editing the ends of a video to be shorter. Anyone who wants to cut out of middle can't

    Summary

    For simple projects I suggest if you want something harder don't use it.

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Results 1-10 of 122

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