How to Create Stunning Videos with Windows Movie Maker: A Step-by-Step Guide
Windows Movie Maker, though a legacy program, remains a surprisingly capable and user-friendly video editing tool for basic projects. While Microsoft no longer officially supports or distributes it, you can still find it available from reputable archives. This guide will walk you through using Windows Movie Maker to create compelling videos, from importing your media to adding effects and exporting your finished product.
Is Windows Movie Maker Still Available?
Officially, no. Microsoft stopped supporting and offering Windows Movie Maker years ago. However, older versions are available on numerous archive websites. Exercise caution when downloading from these sources. Make sure you download from a trustworthy site to avoid malware or viruses. Always scan downloaded files with an updated antivirus program before installation.
Why Use Windows Movie Maker?
Despite its age, Windows Movie Maker offers several benefits, especially for beginners:
* **Ease of Use:** The interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy to learn the basics of video editing.
* **Free (If You Can Find It):** Once downloaded (safely!), it’s a free program.
* **Basic Editing Features:** It provides essential tools for cutting, trimming, adding transitions, and adding titles.
* **Low System Requirements:** It runs well on older computers that may struggle with more demanding video editing software.
However, it’s also important to understand its limitations:
* **Limited Features:** It lacks advanced editing capabilities such as color correction, motion tracking, and advanced audio editing.
* **Outdated:** Development has ceased, so you won’t see new features or updates.
* **Compatibility Issues:** Can experience compability issues with very new video formats and codecs
* **Potential Security Risks:** If downloaded from untrustworthy sources can have malware attached.
## Getting Started: Installing and Launching Windows Movie Maker
**Important:** Before installing, run a virus scan on the downloaded file.
1. **Download:** Locate a reputable source for downloading Windows Movie Maker. Some safe bets include archive.org or majorgeeks.com. Make sure you are downloading the actual Movie Maker installer and not a bundled software package with unwanted programs.
2. **Installation:** Run the installer file. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. Be cautious of any bundled software offers and deselect them if you don’t want them installed.
3. **Launch:** Once installed, you should find Windows Movie Maker in your Start Menu (usually under ‘Windows Live Movie Maker’ or a similar name). Click to launch the program.
## Understanding the Windows Movie Maker Interface
Familiarize yourself with the main areas of the interface:
* **Ribbon Menu:** Located at the top, contains tabs like ‘Home,’ ‘Animations,’ ‘Visual Effects,’ ‘Project,’ and ‘View’. Each tab groups related editing tools.
* **Storyboard/Timeline:** The primary workspace where you arrange your video clips, images, and audio. You can switch between a storyboard view (which shows thumbnails of your clips) and a timeline view (which provides a more detailed representation of your video’s duration and audio tracks).
* **Preview Window:** Displays the video as you edit it, allowing you to review your changes in real-time.
* **Collections Pane (Might Not Be Visible by Default):** Usually on the left, this pane is where you import and organize your video clips, images, and audio files. If you don’t see it, go to ‘View’ and select ‘Collections’.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Video
Let’s walk through the process of creating a video using Windows Movie Maker.
### Step 1: Importing Media
1. **Open Movie Maker:** Launch Windows Movie Maker.
2. **Add Videos and Photos:** In the ‘Home’ tab, click ‘Add videos and photos’. Alternatively, you can click the ‘Add videos and photos’ button in the Collections Pane if it’s visible.
3. **Browse and Select:** A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the folder containing your video clips and images. Select the files you want to include in your video and click ‘Open’. You can select multiple files at once by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking.
4. **Media Appears:** The selected media will appear in the Storyboard/Timeline. The order in which you select them will be the initial order in your video.
### Step 2: Arranging and Trimming Clips
1. **Rearrange Clips:** To change the order of clips, simply drag and drop them within the Storyboard/Timeline. Click on a clip and, while holding down the mouse button, drag it to the desired position. A vertical line will indicate where the clip will be inserted.
2. **Trim Clips (Splitting):**
* **Select a Clip:** Click on the clip you want to trim in the Timeline.
* **Play the Video:** Use the play button below the preview window to play the clip.
* **Pause at the Trim Point:** Pause the video at the exact point where you want to split the clip.
* **Use Split:** Under the ‘Edit’ tab, click the ‘Split’ button. This will divide the clip into two separate clips at the point where you paused. You can now delete the unwanted section by selecting it and pressing the ‘Delete’ key or right-clicking and selecting ‘Remove’.
3. **Adjusting Start and End Points (Trimming):**
* **Select a Clip:** Click on the clip you want to trim in the Timeline.
* **Hover Over Edge:** Hover your mouse cursor over the left or right edge of the selected clip in the Timeline. The cursor should change to a double-headed arrow.
* **Drag to Trim:** Click and drag the edge inward to shorten the clip. Dragging the left edge shortens the beginning, and dragging the right edge shortens the end. Observe the preview window to see the changes.
### Step 3: Adding Transitions
Transitions create a smooth visual flow between clips.
1. **Go to the ‘Animations’ Tab:** Click on the ‘Animations’ tab in the Ribbon Menu.
2. **Choose a Transition:** A selection of transitions will be displayed. Hover your mouse over each transition to preview it in the Preview Window.
3. **Apply Transition:** Click on the transition you want to use. It will be applied to the beginning of the selected clip. This means the transition will occur *between* the selected clip and the clip before it. To apply a transition between two specific clips, select the *second* clip.
4. **Adjust Duration (Optional):** You can adjust the duration of the transition. In the ‘Animations’ tab, look for the ‘Duration’ setting. Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the transition time. Shorter durations create quicker transitions, while longer durations create smoother, more gradual transitions.
5. **Apply to All:** To apply the same transition to all the clips, select one clip, add the transition, and then click ‘Apply to all’.
### Step 4: Adding Titles and Captions
Titles and captions are essential for providing context and enhancing your video’s message.
1. **Add a Title at the Beginning:**
* **Go to the ‘Home’ Tab:** Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
* **Click ‘Title’:** Click the ‘Title’ button. A title card will be inserted at the beginning of your project.
* **Type Your Title:** A text box will appear on the title card in the Preview Window. Type your desired title text.
* **Format the Text:** Use the formatting options above the Preview Window to change the font, size, color, and alignment of the text. You can also adjust the background color of the title card.
* **Adjust Duration:** In the ‘Edit’ tab (which appears when the title card is selected), you can adjust the duration of the title card using the ‘Text duration’ setting.
2. **Add a Caption to a Clip:**
* **Select a Clip:** Click on the clip to which you want to add a caption.
* **Click ‘Caption’:** In the ‘Home’ tab, click the ‘Caption’ button. A text box will appear over the selected clip in the Preview Window.
* **Type Your Caption:** Type your caption text in the text box.
* **Format the Text:** As with titles, use the formatting options to customize the font, size, color, and alignment of the text.
* **Adjust Start Time and Duration:** You can control when the caption appears and how long it stays on screen. In the ‘Edit’ tab, use the ‘Start time’ and ‘Text duration’ settings to fine-tune the caption’s timing.
3. **Add a Credits at the End:**
* **Go to the ‘Home’ Tab:** Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
* **Click ‘Credits’:** Click the ‘Credits’ button. A credits card will be inserted at the end of your project.
* **Type Your Credits:** Type your credits text. You can add multiple lines for different roles and names.
* **Format the Text:** Use the formatting options to customize the font, size, and color of the credits text.
### Step 5: Adding Visual Effects
Windows Movie Maker offers a range of visual effects to enhance the look and feel of your video.
1. **Go to the ‘Visual Effects’ Tab:** Click on the ‘Visual Effects’ tab in the Ribbon Menu.
2. **Browse Effects:** A selection of visual effects will be displayed. Hover your mouse over each effect to preview it on the selected clip in the Preview Window. Examples include black and white, sepia tone, and various artistic filters.
3. **Apply an Effect:** Click on the effect you want to apply to the selected clip. The effect will be applied immediately.
4. **Remove an Effect:** If you want to remove an effect, select the clip and in the ‘Visual Effects’ tab, click on the effect that is applied. It should deselect, removing the effect.
### Step 6: Adding Music and Audio
Music and sound effects can significantly enhance the impact of your video.
1. **Add Background Music:**
* **Go to the ‘Home’ Tab:** Click on the ‘Home’ tab.
* **Click ‘Add Music’:** Click the ‘Add music’ button. A dropdown menu will appear.
* **Select ‘Add music…’:** Choose ‘Add music…’ to browse for an audio file on your computer.
* **Browse and Select:** A file explorer window will open. Navigate to the folder containing your music file (MP3, WMA, or WAV are common formats). Select the file and click ‘Open’.
* **Music Appears in Timeline:** The music track will be added to the Timeline below your video clips.
* **Adjust Music Start Time:** You can drag the music track left or right in the Timeline to adjust its starting point. Position it so that the music begins at the desired moment in your video.
* **Adjust Music Volume:** Select the music track in the timeline. Under the “Music Tools” tab, click “Volume”. Here you can adjust the volume of the music track in relation to the video’s audio track.
* **Trim Music:** If the music is longer than your video, you can trim it. Select the music track, play the video to the point where you want the music to end, and then click the ‘Split’ button in the ‘Edit’ tab. Delete the unwanted portion of the music track.
2. **Adjust Video Audio:** If your video clips have their own audio, you might want to adjust their volume relative to the music.
* **Select a Video Clip:** Click on the video clip you want to adjust.
* **Click on “Video Volume”:** In the “Edit” tab, select “Video Volume”, adjust the clip’s audio volume using the slider.
3. **Adding Narration:**
* **Select ‘Record Narration’:** In the ‘Home’ Tab, select ‘Record Narration’.
* **Select Recording Device:** Ensure your microphone is properly connected and selected as the recording device.
* **Start Recording:** Click the ‘Record’ button to begin recording your narration. Speak clearly and concisely into the microphone.
* **Stop Recording:** Click the ‘Stop’ button when you have finished recording. The narration track will be added to the Timeline.
* **Adjust Placement:** You can drag the narration track to the desired position in the timeline.
* **Review and Re-record:** Review the narration and re-record if necessary.
### Step 7: Reviewing Your Video
Before exporting, take the time to review your entire video from beginning to end.
* **Play from Start:** Click the ‘Play’ button in the Preview Window to watch the video from the beginning.
* **Pay Attention to Details:** Watch carefully for any errors, such as incorrect transitions, typos in titles, or audio issues.
* **Make Adjustments:** If you find any problems, pause the video, make the necessary adjustments, and then continue reviewing.
### Step 8: Saving and Exporting Your Video
Once you are satisfied with your video, it’s time to save it and export it to a video file.
1. **Save Your Project:**
* **Click the ‘File’ Menu:** Click the ‘File’ menu in the upper-left corner of the window.
* **Select ‘Save Project’ or ‘Save Project As’:** If you are saving the project for the first time, choose ‘Save Project As’. If you are saving an existing project, choose ‘Save Project’.
* **Choose a Location and Name:** In the file explorer window, choose a location on your computer to save the project file. Give the project file a descriptive name and click ‘Save’. Saving the project allows you to reopen it later and make further edits. The file extension will be `.wlmp`.
2. **Export Your Video:**
* **Click the ‘File’ Menu:** Click the ‘File’ menu.
* **Select ‘Save Movie’:** Choose “Save movie”.
* **Choose a Preset:** A submenu will appear with various presets. These presets determine the video’s resolution, frame rate, and file size. Some common options include:
* **For computer:** This is a good option for general viewing on computers and uploading to websites like YouTube.
* **For email:** This creates a smaller file size, suitable for sending via email.
* **For high-definition display:** This creates a high-resolution video, ideal for viewing on large screens.
* **Recommended for this project:** Movie maker will automatically recommend a setting. Usually this is a decent compromise.
* **You can also choose a specific resolution, such as 1080p (Full HD) or 720p (HD), from the list.** The higher the resolution, the larger the file size and the better the video quality.
* **Specify Custom Settings:** Advanced users can click on “Create custom setting…” to define resolution, bitrate, frame rate, and audio format.
* **Choose a Location and Name:** In the file explorer window, choose a location on your computer to save the video file. Give the video file a descriptive name.
* **Click ‘Save’:** Click the ‘Save’ button. Windows Movie Maker will begin exporting your video. The exporting process may take some time, depending on the length and complexity of your video and the chosen preset. A progress bar will display the exporting status.
3. **Troubleshooting Export Issues**
* **Codec Issues:** If you experience errors during export, it may be due to codec issues. Try using a different video format (like .WMV, the native format). Codecs are algorithms that compress and decompress video data. If you are using a video format that requires a codec that is not installed on your system, the export may fail. Consider installing codec packs, but download them cautiously from reputable sources to avoid malware. K-Lite Codec Pack is a frequently recommended one.
* **Complexity:** Extremely complex projects can sometimes cause issues, particularly on older hardware. If problems arise, reduce the number of effects, transitions, or high-resolution images to simplify the project. Close any unnecessary programs running in the background to free up system resources.
## Advanced Tips and Tricks
* **Using Keyboard Shortcuts:** Learn keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing workflow. Some useful shortcuts include:
* **Ctrl+Z:** Undo
* **Ctrl+Y:** Redo
* **Delete:** Delete selected clip or item
* **Spacebar:** Play/Pause
* **Stabilizing Shaky Footage:** While Windows Movie Maker doesn’t have dedicated stabilization tools, you can reduce the appearance of shaky footage by using the ‘Motion Blur’ visual effect sparingly.
* **Creating a Time-Lapse Video:** To create a time-lapse video, import a series of still images and shorten the duration of each image in the Timeline.
* **Creating a Stop Motion Video:** Similar to time-lapse, create a stop motion video by importing a sequence of images, typically one frame at a time, and adjusting the duration of each frame to a very short interval.
## Conclusion
Windows Movie Maker is a simple yet useful tool for creating basic videos. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of professional video editing software, it’s a great option for beginners and those who need to create quick and easy videos. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create engaging videos for personal or professional use. Remember to download Windows Movie Maker from a trustworthy source and always scan downloaded files for viruses. Good luck, and happy editing!