Used Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
Key Details of Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP)
- Construct home movies from captured digital video on your Windows XP system.
- Last updated on
- There have been 5 updates
- Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)
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.
As of 2024, Microsoft's support for Windows Movie Maker has long since ended, and the software is no longer available for download from the official website. While its interface may have been a significant barrier for many users, it is worth noting that Movie Maker served as a precursor to more user-friendly video editing applications. In comparison to modern alternatives like Clipchamp, a web-based editing tool also owned by Microsoft, the differences are striking.
Other than crashes and incompatible file formats, many more issues has Movie Maker than Clipchamp — because they're cloud based, there's no need to cotain and worry about constant archiving, even if you only want to use Movie Maker down the road. Clipchamp, for example, supports a massive array of video formats (such as MP4 and MOV), has prebuilt templates, stock media, even AI-powered voice overs (Clipchamp, 2023). This is a huge boost in accessibility for editors, and makes the experience much easier for beginners to use.
Unlike Movie Maker 2, Clipchamp operates entirely online, bypassing the need for complex installations and reducing hardware dependency. The drag-and-drop interface, while similar in design philosophy to Movie Maker’s, is notably more intuitive and reliable. Additionally, Clipchamp allows real-time collaboration, a feature absent from most early video editing programs. However, it is worth mentioning that while Clipchamp's basic features are free, its premium options, such as 1080p exports and extensive stock libraries, require a subscription plan.
Another alternative that deserves mention is Shotcut, a free, open-source video editing software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Unlike Movie Maker’s limited capabilities, Shotcut provides advanced features such as multi-track editing, customizable filters, and robust format compatibility. While its interface may appear more complex than Movie Maker’s minimalist design, the trade-off is a far superior functionality and stability.
In conclusion, while Windows Movie Maker 2 may have been a stepping stone for beginners in its time, its shortcomings—frequent crashes, limited editing options, and an outdated interface—make it a relic of the past. Users seeking modern, reliable video editing solutions should consider alternatives like Clipchamp for its ease of use or Shotcut for its feature-rich environment.
What’s new in version 2.1
- Version 2.1 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
Used Windows Movie Maker (Windows XP) for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
