Introduction to Windows Movie Maker
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Gone are the days where word processing and internet browsing was sufficient for the home computer. As digital art technology shifted from the professional to consumer realm some form of video editing ability, even if it is not an expensive non-linear suite, became the new standard for all computers. For Microsoft, this addition came at the turn of the century.

History

Windows Movie Maker became a standard inclusion in all Windows operating systems in 2000 and has remained with all incarnations ever since. The original version of the software was packaged with Windows ME and was roundly considered sub-par to Apple’s iMovie. From there it increased its file support options with version 1.1, which began to make it more user accessible. This was packaged in with Windows XP and gave it an even more needed boost in popularity.

Simplicity

The program itself is a simple non-linear editing program that models itself after the professional interface of programs like Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer. iMovie, the comparative program, has a more self-defined format that can be difficult to make the transition from. Movie Maker prides itself on being a bare bones version of more extensive program, where the logic and method are still the same. From here the user can use the same principles to move on to more advanced editing and DVD authoring packages.

Free

Since the program is free with Windows all PC users have the opportunity to try it out and see if it works. The stress on your computer is small and it is constantly updated because new versions come along with the normal Windows updating process. Compared to other “freeware” editing programs Windows Movie Maker ends up standing out in efficiency and ease of use that is intuitive for most audiences and editors.

May Work For You

There are definite issues with the software, and Bill Gates even recently criticized its download process. Either way it is onboard with Windows and worth working with to see how it feels. An editing program is only effective if the person using it connects, and you just might find that Windows Movie Maker gives you exactly what you need.

This post is part of the series: Windows Movie Maker

This series of articles cover the different tools in Window’s on-board editing program, Windows Movie Maker, teaching you all you need to customize your video production.

  1. Introduction to Windows Movie Maker
  2. An Overview of Windows Movie Maker
  3. Seven Functions of Windows Movie Maker
  4. How to Import Video Into Windows Movie Maker
  5. How To Alter Audio in Windows Movie Maker
  6. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows Movie Maker
  7. Organizing Your Editing Projects in Windows Movie Maker
  8. How to Make Freeze Frames in Windows Movie Maker
  9. Editing Clips in Windows Movie Maker
  10. Video Effects and Transitions in Windows Movie Maker
  11. How to Back Up Collections in Windows Movie Maker
  12. How to Use AutoMovie in Windows Movie Maker
  13. File Types Supported by Windows Movie Maker
  14. Video Export Options in Windows Movie Maker